The Bluestone Mining & Smelting RR Heiser No. 1 hauls passengers around the Nevada State Railroad Museum during the Great Western Steam Up. The Bluestone Mining & Smelting Company and the Mason Valley Mines Company operated a rail line of 2.5 miles from the mine to a connection with the Nevada Cooper Belt Railroad Co., at Mason.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
The 150th anniversary commemorating the completion of the rail line and subsequently connecting the Queen of the Comstock to San Francisco attracted hundreds of people to the Nevada State Railroad Museum during the long Fourth of July weekend.
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Great Western Steam Up 2022
The Great Western Steam Up was held in Carson City over the July 4 weekend. Photos by Steve Ranson of the Nevada News Group.
The anniversary marked the first passenger service to San Francisco via the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.
The Great Western Steam Up attracted a reunion of V&T locomotives that became a common everyday fixture during the railroad’s golden years. Originally built to haul freight and ore from the Virginia City mines, the V&T expanded to serve Reno and Minden. At its peak, 45 trains were either hauling ore or passengers.
The Nevada State Railroad Museum collaborated with other rail museums for the Great Western Steam Up. Museum Director Dan Thielen said this is the first time in 80 years that these locomotives have been on the same track together.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Nevada State Railroad Museum.
