Virginia & Truckee train ride deal still possible

A plan to start train rides on the partially finished V&T Railway still is alive, commissioners say.

The plan was dropped from last month's agenda of the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway and is not on Monday's agenda.

But the idea could raise revenue and attention for a project that does not have the money to continue after the current phase is done, commissioners say.

Under the plan, the private V&T Railroad Company could run rides on 11 miles of the total planned 18 miles of track that will be done next year.

The Virginia City-based company already runs 2.5-mile train rides from Virginia City to Gold Hill.

The nine-member commission also could build a temporary depot on the east side of Carson City so riders could be transported by bus to the track.

The commission canceled an agreement last year that would have let the V&T

Railroad Company operate on the completely finished track. The commission has said it is in negotiations to buy the company.

About six miles of track from Gold Hill to Mound House has been finished since construction started in 2005.

Work has started on the next five-mile section that will take the track across a bridge on Highway 50 into Carson City.

Tom Gray, whose family owns the company, said in a phone message he is "on the same page" with commission on the idea to operate on what will be finished of the railroad next year.

"We plan on running on the track for sure when it comes up," he said.

The company ran train rides on some of the new track in October to help support a ballot question that would have raised Carson City's sales tax rate to collect $10 million for the project.

More than 60 percent of city voters rejected the question in November.

Commissioner Ron Allen said too much money is invested in the project already not to start train rides.

"I think we have to do that," he said.

Rides would be a great way to raise money and more attention for the project, he said. The V&T Railroad Company is the commission's "only option" as an operator, he said.

California-based Sierra Nevada Railroad Corp. has a tentative agreement to operate on the track when its done.

- Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

If you go

WHAT: Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway meeting

WHEN: 3 p.m. Monday

WHERE: The Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.