Virginia & Truckee Railroad in Virginia City, Nevada

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Virginia City, Nevada · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesDaily trains from late May through October, holiday trains late November to December

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad carries riders out of Virginia City's original 1870 depot over the same Comstock rails that once hauled millions of dollars in gold and silver ore, with a conductor telling the line's stories along the way.

  • Original 1870 Virginia City depot
  • Narrated 35-minute round trip
  • Up to seven trains a day
  • Hop off at Gold Hill
  • Kids 4 and under ride free
  • Pumpkin patch and Santa trains

Virginia & Truckee Railroad at a glance

Hours
Seven departures daily in season, from 10:30 am to 4 pm
Admission
Diesel train adults $19, ages 5 to 12 $10, 4 and under free; all-day pass $50
Train rides
Narrated 35-minute round trips from Virginia City to Gold Hill, daily from late May through October; separate full-day route from Carson City May to October
Seasonal events
Heritage Days and Battle Trains, Day Out With Thomas, Pumpkin Patch Train, Graveyard Train, Candy Cane Express, Electric Holiday Train O' Lights
Plan for
About 1 hour, or a full day on the Carson City route
Best for
Families with young kids and Comstock history fans
Best ages
Toddlers to age 12

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Virginia & Truckee Railroad? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Virginia City.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

The short line that carried the Comstock's silver

The Virginia & Truckee is often called the most famous of all American short lines, and its story is the story of the Comstock. The railroad dates to 1869, and over the next 74 years the busy mountain line hauled millions of dollars in gold and silver ore from the mines beneath Virginia City. At its peak, as many as 45 trains a day came and went from town, and U.S. presidents and visiting dignitaries rode its ornate cars.

When the last train left the Comstock, the rails went quiet for a long time. Today, roughly 80 years later, the Virginia & Truckee Railroad runs trains again out of the original 1870 passenger depot on F Street, using 100-year-old steam engines and heritage diesel locomotives, and the railroad now celebrates 50 years of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. Conductors narrate each trip, pointing out bonanza mines, ruins and the stories that made Virginia City famous.

A second operation shares the name. The Virginia & Truckee Railway, run by the V&T Railway Commission, runs a full-day trip from the Eastgate Depot in Carson City up to Virginia City, sometimes called the Sisters in History Route, with the Virginia & Truckee Railroad Co. providing the excursion. Between the two, families can now ride a real piece of the Comstock railroad from either end.

From the F Street depot to Gold Hill and back

Trains board at the historic 1870 depot in Virginia City, which also has a museum and gift shop. The standard trip is a 35-minute round trip to Gold Hill through high-desert country, past the remains of old mines, with the conductor narrating as you go and, if you are lucky, wild horses running near the tracks. On most departures you can step off in Gold Hill, visit the Gold Hill Hotel and catch a later train back the same day.

The longer Carson City route is a 12-mile, one-way ride of about an hour and a half from the Eastgate Depot. It starts just above the Carson River Canyon, runs past Mound House along U.S. Highway 50 and then joins the Comstock era alignment, passing through Tunnel No. 2, across from American Flat, by the Overman Pit Embankment, which rises 120 feet, and past the old Scales and Water Stop, where 260,000 tons of ore were weighed in 1876 alone.

Don’t miss

  1. The 1870 F Street depotThe original Virginia City passenger depot still serves riders and houses a small museum and gift shop.
  2. The Gold Hill stopHop off at Gold Hill on most departures and ride back on a later train, with the Gold Hill Hotel close by.
  3. Tunnel No. 2On the Carson City route, the train passes through this Comstock era tunnel on its climb to Virginia City.
  4. Overman Pit EmbankmentAbout 300,000 cubic yards of fill rising 120 feet above the old mining pit, one of the big engineering sights on the Carson City route.
  5. The Scales and Water StopIn 1876 alone, 260,000 tons of ore were weighed here, and 40 trains a day stopped for water.
  6. RailZephyr railbikesA partner offers one-hour, two-person electric-assist railbike rides on V&T track through the Carson River Canyon.

Short rides, wild horses and a pumpkin of your own

The 35-minute round trip suits small kids who might fidget on a long excursion, and children 4 and under ride free. Kids love watching for wild horses along the tracks and old mine ruins on the hillsides. In fall, the Pumpkin Patch train lets every rider pick a pumpkin to take home, and the Candy Cane Express and Electric Holiday Train O' Lights stop at Santa's Village, where Santa and his elves meet the train.

Older kids who like spooky stories may be ready for the Graveyard Train, a 40-minute nighttime ride toward the Gold Hill Graveyard, but it is meant to scare. The V&T also hosts school field trips, with a picnic area for bag lunches or box lunches on request.

Plan your visit: tips for Virginia & Truckee Railroad

  • Hop off at Gold Hill on any train except the last one and return on a later departure.
  • The Carson City route boards at the Eastgate Depot, not in Virginia City; call (775) 686-9037 for that trip.
  • Dress warmly for evening and Halloween trains.
  • Call for reduced school rates and field trip reservations.
  • Check the timetable before you go, since times shift for special events.

The V&T's fall and winter calendar is full. Pumpkin Patch trains take families to pick a pumpkin, the Graveyard Train heads toward the Gold Hill Graveyard after dark, and from late November the Candy Cane Express and the Electric Holiday Train O' Lights visit Santa's Village. Day Out With Thomas begins in October. Compare more options in our guides to Halloween train rides in Nevada and Christmas train rides in Nevada.

The crew behind the V&T

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad runs the trains, staffs the 1870 depot and puts conductors on board to tell the Comstock's stories. You can support the railroad by riding, shopping in the depot gift shop, booking a caboose party, wedding or wine train in the parlor car, or bringing a school group. The V&T also helps nonprofits and community groups with fundraising trains.

More V&T history a short drive away

The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, about 13 miles away, keeps original Virginia & Truckee locomotives and cars and runs its own train rides. The Truckee Railroad Museum is about 29 miles west, and the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola is about 56 miles away. Find more on our list of every train museum in Nevada.

Every train museum in Nevada

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The train up from Carson City rolls through Tunnel No. 2, and I can just hear the little gasps when the car goes dark. That is one of my favorite pages in our book: the tunnel swallows the light, and then there is a big bright glow and happy cheers. My mom pictured that moment long before I painted it. You can read how her story became our book on our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Virginia & Truckee Railroad?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Virginia & Truckee Railroad: 20 questions riders ask

Where is the Virginia and Truckee Railroad?

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad boards at the original 1870 V&T depot on F Street in Virginia City, Nevada, listed at 166 F Street (the contact page shows 165 F Street). Trains run from there to Gold Hill and back. The separate Carson City route boards at the Eastgate Depot, 4650 Eastgate Siding Rd, off Flint Drive.

What is the Virginia and Truckee Railroad schedule?

As of October 2026, seven diesel trains a day leave Virginia City at 10:30 am, 11:20 am, 12:30 pm, 1:20 pm, 2:10 pm, 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm, each returning about 35 minutes later. Daily trains run from the last week of May through October. Holiday and event trains follow their own schedules.

How much does the Virginia and Truckee Railroad cost?

As of October 2026, diesel train fares are $19 for adults and $10 for children 5 to 12, and kids 4 and under ride free. An all-day pass is $50. Special event trains such as the Candy Cane Express, Pumpkin Patch train and Graveyard Train are priced separately on the railroad's ticket pages.

How long is the Virginia and Truckee train ride?

The standard ride from Virginia City to Gold Hill and back is about 35 minutes. The Graveyard Train runs about 40 minutes. The Carson City route is much longer: about an hour and a half each way, with a stop of around three and a half hours in Virginia City, so plan a full day.

Can you get off the V&T train at Gold Hill?

Yes. On every departure except the last train of the day, passengers can step off in Gold Hill, visit the Gold Hill Hotel and ride back on a later train the same day. Check with the hotel ahead of time about lunch, since its hours can vary.

What is on the Virginia and Truckee roster?

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad says it operates 100-year-old steam engines and heritage diesel locomotives, and the daily Comstock trips currently run with diesel power. The Carson City route on the V&T Railway has used a restored 1914 Pullman coach behind a 1916 Baldwin 2-8-0 steam locomotive. For today's equipment, call (775) 847-0380.

When was the Virginia and Truckee Railroad built?

The V&T dates to 1869: the railroad says it was completed that year, and over the next 74 years it hauled millions of dollars in gold and silver ore from the mines beneath Virginia City. At its height as many as 45 trains a day came and went from town. Today's trains run on that historic Comstock route about 80 years after the last original train.

Is the Virginia & Truckee Railway the same as the Virginia & Truckee Railroad?

They are related but not the same trip. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad runs the short Virginia City to Gold Hill rides from the 1870 depot. The Virginia & Truckee Railway, under the V&T Railway Commission, offers a full-day route from Carson City's Eastgate Depot to Virginia City, with the excursion provided by the Virginia & Truckee Railroad Co.

Can you ride the V&T from Carson City to Virginia City?

Yes, from May to October. The train leaves the Eastgate Depot in Carson City for a 12-mile ride of about an hour and a half to Virginia City, passing through Tunnel No. 2 and by the Overman Pit Embankment. You get a few hours to explore, with a free shuttle around town, before riding back. Call (775) 686-9037.

Does the Virginia and Truckee Railroad have a Christmas train?

Yes, two. The Candy Cane Express runs from about November 29 to December 20, and the Electric Holiday Train O' Lights, covered in thousands of lights, runs from about November 29 to December 19. Both stop at Santa's Village, where Santa and his elves greet the train and may come aboard. Book through the railroad's website.

Does the V&T run a pumpkin patch train?

Yes. In fall, the Pumpkin Patch train leaves Virginia City for a scenic ride through the high desert to the railroad's pumpkin patch, where every rider picks a pumpkin to take home, then rides back. The conductor shares a few of Virginia City's spookier tales along the way, making it a gentle Halloween outing for younger kids.

What is the Graveyard Train in Virginia City?

The Graveyard Train is a haunted nighttime ride of about 40 minutes through the Comstock toward the Gold Hill Graveyard, with an encounter with the Executioner and restless souls among the old mine ruins. It is designed to scare, so it suits older kids and adults better than toddlers. Dress warmly for the night air.

Does the Virginia and Truckee Railroad do Day Out With Thomas?

Yes. The railroad lists Day Out With Thomas among its special family trains, beginning in October. Dates, times and ticket prices change from year to year, so check the special events page on the website or call (775) 847-0380 before planning a trip around it.

What are Heritage Days and Battle Trains on the V&T?

Heritage Days and Battle Trains run over Labor Day weekend and add special trains to the regular schedule, including a Saturday evening Champagne Battle Train for adults. It is a good weekend to visit Virginia City if you want more than the standard ride. Check the events page for times.

Is the Virginia and Truckee Railroad good for toddlers?

Yes. The 35-minute round trip is short enough for little ones, and children 4 and under ride free. Kids enjoy spotting wild horses and old mines from the window. The Pumpkin Patch train and the Santa trains are especially popular with young families, while the Graveyard Train is better left for older kids.

What is the RailZephyr railbike ride on the V&T?

RailZephyr, a partner of the V&T, runs guided one-hour rides on two-person electric-assist railbikes along historic V&T track through the Carson River Canyon. As of October 2026 the introductory price was $99 for two people on one railbike. The electric assist helps on the climbs. Book through the V&T website.

Can you book a private car or party on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad?

Yes. The V&T offers caboose parties, weddings in its parlor car, family reunions, wine train and dinner events, Wild West themed outings with a Western BBQ and fundraising trains for community groups. Email info@virginiatruckee.com or call (775) 847-0380 for pricing and dates.

Does the V&T offer school field trips?

Yes. The railroad offers reduced school rates for field trips, which pair the train ride with a historic outing in Virginia City. Schools can bring their own lunches to the picnic area or order box lunches. Call (775) 847-0380 or email info@virginiatruckee.com for reservations and rates.

What will you see from the Virginia and Truckee train?

Expect wide high-desert views, remnants of the bonanza Comstock mines and ruins, and possibly wild horses near the tracks. The conductor narrates the history as you ride. On the longer Carson City route you also pass American Flat, the Overman Pit Embankment and the old Scales and Water Stop.

What train museums are near the Virginia and Truckee Railroad?

The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City is about 13 miles away and holds original V&T locomotives and cars. The Truckee Railroad Museum and the Truckee Donner Railroad Society in California are about 29 miles off, and the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola is about 56 miles away.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Soo Line Depot in Ashland, Wisconsin
Next

Frisco Depot Museum in Hugo, Oklahoma