Train enthusiasts from all over the world came to photograph the mighty V&T engines showcased at the Great Western Steam Up.
Ronni Hannaman
For the historic train enthusiast, the only place to have been over the Fourth of July weekend was right here in Carson City.
Train aficionados from all over the United States found their various modes of transportation pointed in our direction to attend the 4-day Great Western Steam Up. Others who were already visiting but didn’t know about the event, decided to find that elusive hotel room to stay a few extra days.
Since the Chamber office is on the site of the Nevada State Railroad Museum, we saw first-hand the enthusiasm of the guests and listened to many, many train stories. Over 7,500 guests entered through the gates to be a part of this historic 150th anniversary of the completion of Nevada’s Virginia & Truckee Railroad.
We met folks from New Zealand. We met folks who flew up from San Diego just for the day. We met train buffs from New York, Kentucky, Alabama, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Texas, Minnesota, Poland, Colorado, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Vermont, Tennessee, and so many other states. Most were first-time visitors attracted by the prospect of riding, photographing, and just standing next to the mighty and historic rolling stock.
The highlight of the event was the largest “reunion” of Virginia & Truckee locomotives assembled in over 75 years. From our windows, we saw the historic engines that were once a part of the Virginia & Truckee RR arriving on flatbeds and heard their distinctive steam whistles as the engineers tested the engines to be sure they would be in good working order to delight the riders.
Families from all over the region, some with babies in strollers, enjoyed the event as much as the old-timers and the out-of-towners. There are those who say enthusiasm for historic trains is fading, but that’s not what we saw or heard.
We’d love to see more events of these types in our city where those of all ages from all over the world can participate and enjoy our history and the culture of Nevada. Everyone found something to ooh and aah over, but the true star of the engine parade was our very own Inyo #22. She’s a sight to behold and was probably the most photographed engine. And, yes, the Inyo makes occasional appearances twice annually and can be seen in the museum.
With all the history found right here in Carson City, we have many occasions to get the history buffs away from their books or the History Channel to come a calling! There’s already planning underway to hold Mark Twain Days on April 21, 2023.
We wish to publicly thank the limited crew at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum, and the many volunteers for undertaking this first-ever event that attracted so many to share in our uniquely Nevada history. None had never worked on an event of this magnitude and there were times when they thought they were not up to the challenge. But, they were!
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