Heritage trains at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, a capital tradition, are all set for the holiday season. The 1910 self-propelled McKeen motor car, a national historic landmark, will run at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City Thanksgiving weekend. Train rides are every half hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27 and 28. Santa Trains will follow on weekends Dec. 5 to 20.
Thanksgiving rides are $8 for adults, $4 for museum members and children ages 4-11; and free for children 3 and younger. For holiday shoppers, the museum store will offer a 10 percent discount on most store merchandise both days.
“This is the first time since the 1940s that the McKeen Car has operated at Thanksgiving. I think it is a pretty rare opportunity and a chance for all generations to do something new for the holiday,” said Peter Barton, administrator for the Nevada Division of Museums and history.
Santa will join the museum crew for three weekends in December on historic steam trains from the Virginia & Truckee Railway, and tickets are now on sale. Children can visit with Santa and write him a letter at a special table, board the train, receive candy canes and take part in many other festivities.
Santa Train tickets are $5 for all riders except children 2 and younger who are free when they sit on an adult’s lap.
Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum will sell raffle tickets for prizes to support year-round events. The Warren Engine Company will sell hot cocoa and other refreshments. Guests are also encouraged to stop in the museum’s Jacobsen Interpretive Center where holiday photos with the historic Inyo steam locomotive will be available for purchase. A separate admission applies to the center. New this year, tickets can be purchased online for specific times. Go to the Nevada State Railroad Museum’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NSRMCC/ and click on the “Get Tickets” tab. Tickets will be also available for purchase at the museum’s admission desk starting Sunday.
For more information, contact the museum at 775-687-6953.