Tourists will see American Flat by train

A popular destination for tourists and their local relatives, the Virginia & Truckee Railroad can now offer its riders two miles more along the historic right-of-way down to American Flat, all at $7 a ticket.

The Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway decided Monday to allow the small-town train operator to run daily 4 p.m. excursions on the recently reconstructed 1.4 miles between the Gold Hill Depot and American Flat. They will not increase ticket prices.

"We will be combining our 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. rides into one trip since the rail is longer," said Tom Gray, co-owner of the railroad with his father.

The V&T Railroad, owned and rebuilt in the 1970s by Bob Gray, has transported tourists on two miles of rail from Virginia City to Gold Hill using both steam and diesel trains. The No. 29 steam engine is still out of commission and not expected to be ready this year.

Because of a contractual agreement to work on another short line's locomotive, the V&T shop will not be able to work on No. 29 until early next year. Gray said he is disappointed that the locomotive has taken longer than expected, especially since it is so close to readiness.

The scenic route will take visitors past the historic sites of Gold Hill, including the depot and hotel, and across the Overman Pit, an old mining site filled in last year by V&T contractors.

"That dip in the pit is great - it's like a roller coaster ride," said commission Chairman Bob Hadfield.

Riders will see the Masonic cemetery and the historic Catholic cemetery, which was saved from eroding into a mine dump.

Passengers will pass several historic mining sites, including the Yellow Jacket and Belcher shafts, Caledonia Mine and the Knickerbocker Mine. At American Flat, riders will also see the old Houston Oil and Minerals Mill, which is being reclaimed. The ride stops short of Scales, where the historic V&T train scales once were.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.