Out-of-towners who plan to visit the capital city on Nevada Day can enjoy a true Western experience by riding a special running of the V&T steam train.
The inaugural run of the Nevada Day Train takes place on the last day of the season for the V&T, said Kevin Ray, project coordinator for the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway.
"All round trips have been sold out for the year, including that Saturday, so this is one last opportunity for people to ride the steam train with locomotive No. 29," Ray said.
The train departs at 8 a.m. Oct. 31 from the depot on F Street in Virginia City and makes its run to the Carson City depot off U.S. 50 East, where passengers will be shuttled to the Carson Mall for reserved VIP front-row seating under tents for the Nevada Day Parade down Carson Street.
"That's as close to the parade as you can get," Ray said. "And afterwards, people can be shuttled to other Nevada Day events around town like the rock drilling at the Nugget."
After enjoying Nevada Day events, passengers will be shuttled back to the Carson depot late in the afternoon for the return trip to Virginia City.
"I can imagine people from Dayton, Fernley or Fallon who will want to drive up to Virginia City and take the train," he said.
The train will not run again between Carson City and Virginia City until next May, except for a few possible special events, Ray said.
The train's two cars hold 144 passengers, and round-trip tickets are $48 for adults, $40 for seniors and $36 for children ages 4-12. Children ages 3 and younger ride free.
Special advance train tickets are available online at www.virginiatruckee.com.
The package also includes a $7 voucher to any of the seven eateries in the Carson Mall.
"This is an awesome opportunity," Ray said. "What a great way to celebrate Nevada Day since the V&T is so much a part of our history. We'd like to see people start a new Nevada Day tradition."