Virginia & Truckee Part 1: Silver Shortline Of The West | Circa 1938 - 1953

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:00:11]Almost from its inception, the Virginia Truckucky was destined to become immortalized in history and legend as it became the richest shortline railroad in North America at a time of feverish industrial and economic development in the West. Ground was broken for the VNT at Carson City in 1869, and by 1870, the railroad had reached the increasingly expanding and lucrative Commtock region in and around Virginia City. In 1872, the railroad had reached Reno, connecting with the Central Pacific Railroad. The following year, 1873, just as the VNT had started operating, the richest deposits of gold and silver ore anywhere in the American West had been discovered in Virginia City. It was the big bonanza. By 1876, the VNT was at its busiest, running as many as 50 trains a day, with the mines having extracted over $ 38.5 million in gold and silver by the end of that year. In May of 1880, ground was broken on the Carson and Colorado Railroad, a project invested by VNT management to access the recent silver strike south of the Commtock near Candelaria, 152 mi away. and the railroad had reached that town by February 1882. By the 1880s, mining in the Comtock region had started what would become a steady decline in production, and the VNT sold eight freight locomotives out of its roster of then 24 to Oregon and Canada, as well as retiring some even earlier examples. In the 1890s, Nevada had entered a period of depression. On May 10th, 1893, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 24% after the bankruptcy of the National Cordage Company. It was the beginning of the great panic. That same year, the Interstate Commerce Commission made automatic couplers and air brakes mandatory on all railroad equipment, and all the American railroads had a 7-year grace period to make all of those upgrades. In 1900, a second Bonanza was discovered in Tonapa, and the Virginia Truckucky during this time period enjoyed a surge in traffic from the Carson and Colorado, which had recently been sold to the Southern Pacific. By 1902, the railroad was operating at capacity as it became a major artery for connecting trains from Reno to Moundhouse. This surge in traffic was short-lived when in 1905 SP had completed their own line from Hazen on the Overland route to Church Hill connecting with the CNC. The now bypassed VNT would still receive traffic off the CNC, but it would never be what it once was. Also in 1905, the VNT was reinccorporated and the extra capital funded a 15-mi extension of the railroad to mind. The company also began purchasing Baldwin 10 wheelers to upgrade its motive power fleet. Number 25 was the second engine on the VNT to carry this number, replacing a former Union Pacific 440 that had been purchased in 1901 and had proved to be too heavy for the railroad. A larger 10-wheeler, number 26, arrived in 1907, and number 27, the last new engine purchased by the railroad, arrived in 1913. The VNT also streamlined its mind service when it ordered Mcken motor car number 22 in 1909, which arrived on the railroad in 1910. By the 1920s, the Virginia Truckucky had started into a downward spiral that it would never fully recover from. In 1922, the completion of the first paved highway between Reno and Carson City started what would become a slew of red ink for the rest of the railroad's existence. In 1924, the regular Virginia City Passenger Train had been reduced to mixed train service. That same year, the railroad paid its last dividend. In January 1929, the Virginia Truckucky Railway formed the Virginia Truckucky Transit Company, providing rubber tired vehicle services in the Reno, Carson City, and Lake Tahoe regions. The decline continued and by 1929, mixed train service to Virginia City was only an occasional operation as motorcars were able to handle most of the traffic.

[00:04:03]By the 1930s, the railroad was struggling to stay afloat. The mining in Virginia City had virtually played out and the condition of the tunnels over the line made it difficult to run any trains beyond Gold Hill. Ogden L. Mills, grandson of one of the original founders of the railroad and a major stockholder in the VNT, picked up the company's annual deficits from 1932 until his sudden death in 1937. The Virginia Truckucky fell into receiverhip.

[00:04:31]However, Hollywood had come to the VNT and the railroad was able to earn extra revenue through the sale of its 19th century locomotives and rolling stock.

[00:04:39]The Hian days of the railroad were over and service to Virginia City ended in 1938. The main commodities hauled over the VNT were now petroleum products, livestock, agricultural products, zinc, iron, and gypsum.

[00:04:57]In June of 1938, with news of service to Virginia City ending, the California Nevada Railroad Historical Society sponsored a farewell excursion using engines number 11 and 27. The rail fans and excursionists would depart the San Francisco Bay area via the Western Pacific on June 4th and would arrive in Reno the following morning for the trip over the VNT to Virginia City.

[00:05:24]Number 27 departs Reno with the fan trip heading for Carson City where it will meet number 11.

[00:05:36]With the 440 now on the point, the run to Virginia City begins.

[00:05:41]The train enters the Carson River Canyon at Empire, 3 mi east of Carson City.

[00:05:50]The climb continues as the two engines head toward moundhouse with their sixcar consist.

[00:06:01]Rail fans have made their way at top the tender of the 27 as the two engines continue battling the grade toward Virginia City.

[00:06:25]closing in on the grade crossing with Highway 50 at Moundhouse.

[00:06:36]The two engines dig into the final climb as they approach tunnel 2 at American Flat.

[00:06:44]The double header then passes through the snow sheds near scales.

[00:06:54]The two engines make one final pull of their sixcar consist as they arrive into Gold Hill.

[00:07:11]Due to the unfavorable conditions of tunnel 3, the rail fans disembarked from the train at Gold Hill, and they would continue the rest of the way to Virginia City, either by bus or by hitching a ride in someone's private vehicle.

[00:07:26]Number 11 and 27 continued to Virginia City light engines to be turned for the return trip.

[00:07:38]After being turned, the two engines returned to Gold Hill where they were rejoined to the fan concert for the run back to Carson City.

[00:07:48]At Carson City, number 27 prepares to take the train the rest of the way back to Reno as number 11 heads for the engine house.

[00:07:59]On July 16th, 1938, rail fans from the Pacific Coast chapter of the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society departed San Francisco heading for the VNT. The following day, they would arrive in Reno and number 26 would take a two-car train from Reno to Carson City. And the rail fans would then transfer the two flat cars and a coach where number 11 would take over for the trip to Virginia City.

[00:08:24]Number 26 has arrived from Reno as number 11 hooks on to its threecar consist for the trip to Virginia City.

[00:08:34]The 440 and its short train then proceeded up the Carson River Canyon toward Gold Hill.

[00:08:40]Once at Gold Hill, the coach was set out and the engine continued to Virginia City with two flat cars.

[00:08:47]A rainbow greeted the rail fans once they arrived at Virginia City, and the number 11 loses its footing on the way out of town.

[00:09:00]In November of 1941, scrapping of the line to Virginia City took place. The days of a railroad to the Commtock had officially come to a close, and the Virginia Truckucky Transit Company took over service to Virginia City with buses.

[00:09:16]Virginia City, a once proud mining town, was now a shell of its former self.

[00:09:35]On September 21st, 1941, the California Nevada Railroad Historical Society sponsored a double header with engines 11 and 27 from Reno to Carson City and then down to Minden.

[00:09:52]On the way out of town, the train passes the Mcken car, which was retired in 1946 and became a diner in Carson City.

[00:10:06]The first photo stop for the day would be at Steamboat before the train continued on its way. A VT Transit Company bus is overtaken on Highway 395 while rolling through Pleasant Valley.

[00:10:24]VNT construction car number six is passed in the siding at Lake View.

[00:10:34]The train then carefully negotiates the shoe fly just to the south as it slows for another photo stop.

[00:10:42]440 number 11 was originally known as the Reno and was built in 1872 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. By the 1940s, she was the last of the 440 still in service on the VNT and had been given the nickname the brass Betsy.

[00:10:57]After the photo stop, the fan trip continues toward Carson City. The train has arrived in Carson City and number 11 has been cut off and heads for the engine house where it will be part of the equipment that has been staged for photos.

[00:11:12]The engine backs down to the turntable to be spotted for photos.

[00:11:28]After the photos on the turntable, the number 11 would push the number 25 back into the engine house, and she would make a big fuss about it, losing her footing multiple times.

[00:11:45]The SP baggage car was dropped in Carson City and the fan trip heads out of town continuing toward midnight.

[00:12:07]train crosses the Carson River and then negotiates the Y as it arrives in Dominion.

[00:12:15]There is one last photo op at Minden.

[00:12:26]The two engines run around the Y and prepare the train for the return trip.

[00:12:37]Even number 11, the famed Reno, could not last forever on the VNT. The engine had been sold to MGM Studios for $5,000, and in March of 1945, the brass Betsy was off the VNT property. The VNT in its final years was down to one mix train round trip 6 days a week. Departing Reno in the morning as train 2, it would run down to Carson City and Minden and then return that evening as train one.

[00:13:04]The trip over the VNT begins in Reno at the SP depot where trains arrive and depart on the opposite side of the building from SP's overland route.

[00:13:24]Two cab fords make their way through Reno. One on the point of a freight and the other on the first section of westbound Overland train 27.

[00:13:46]Number 26 heads out of Reno for Minden with a fairly healthy freight consist in these 1941 scenes.

[00:14:05]Number 27 gets its concert together and then heads out of Reno with train 2 in May of 1950.

[00:14:30]Once out of the SP depot, the VNT crosses the Truckucky River as it heads out of Reno.

[00:14:37]On the other side of the river is the VNT's Reno turntable and number 27 is being prepared for the morning's train 2.

[00:15:01]The turntable in Reno was of the Armstrong variety, and the crew gets to work turning the 27 with a little bit of muscle and elbow grease.

[00:15:27]The 460 backs off the turntable to get ready to prepare the day's consist.

[00:15:37]Number 26 crosses the Truckucky River as it heads out of Reno.

[00:15:48]Number 27 comes off of the bridge over the Truckucky River with train 2 in May of 1950.

[00:16:18]Number 27 enters Pleasant Valley with train two after passing Steamboat.

[00:16:33]Number 26 rolls through Pleasant Valley and is paced as it runs alongside Highway 395.

[00:16:49]Number 26 has a full head of steam as it heads for Wo City with a fourc car consist in 1947.

[00:17:07]Just before Wo City, trains make their way out of Wo Canyon and cross trestle 17E, which at that time was the longest trestle on the VNT. Just beyond this trestle is the 47 1/2 ft long trestle 17F.

[00:17:30]Number 26 performs a photo run by in Wo Canyon during a Northern California Railroad Club fan trip on March 19th, 1950.

[00:17:59]Once out of Wo Canyon, the trains cross Highway 395 and pass through the ghost town of Wo City.

[00:18:15]Number 26 passes the water tank at Franktown in 1947 and again for a photo run by on March 19th, 1950.

[00:18:37]Number 26 blasts across Highway 395 with train 2 as it rolls through the Wo Valley.

[00:18:45]The train is paced along Highway 395 in the early and late 1940s.

[00:19:04]Number 27 crosses Highway 395 with train 2 and is then paced through the Wo Valley in May of 1950.

[00:19:45]The 27 climbs toward Lake View Summit with the firemen being heavy on the oil.

[00:20:00]Number 26 negotiates the shoe fly around tunnel one, which was completed in 1932 after the tunnel had fallen into disrepair and freight cars were scraping against its sagging roof.

[00:20:17]After rolling over the top at Lake View Summit, it's less than four miles until the train arrives at Carson City.

[00:20:28]Number 26 rolls along Washington Street as it arrives into Carson City with a Northern California Railroad Club fan trip on March 20th, 1949.

[00:20:42]Mail is loaded and unloaded at the Carson City Depot, which was built in 1872 and extended in 1880.

[00:20:50]The VNT's 11st stall sandstone engine house was in full operation by February 1874. From 1948 to 1950, famed railroad authors Charles Kle and Lucius BBE had their private car and residence, the Gold Coast, based out of Carson City.

[00:21:06]and they would write three railroad books here during their time on the VNT.

[00:21:12]Number 26 returns back to its fan trip consist after being serviced in Carson City.

[00:21:41]Number 27 arrives into Carson City with train 2 in May of 1950.

[00:21:55]A VT Transit Company bus awaits the arrival of train 2 into Carson City.

[00:22:04]Number 27 is cut off from its train and runs over to the Carson City engine house to take on oil. The 11stall Carson City engine house superseded the VNT's original three-stall wooden engine house in West Carson.

[00:22:18]Number 27 takes on oil before returning to its train.

[00:22:32]Once out of Carson City, the railroad runs through the Carson Valley for the final leg to min.

[00:22:45]Arriving into Stewart, mail is dropped off at the Steuart Indian School, which is now the Steuart Indian Cultural Center and Museum.

[00:23:01]South of Stewart, the line crosses the Carson River before rolling through Douglas.

[00:23:47]3 miles north of Minden is Douglas, which was the location of a VNT section house until it closed in 1945.

[00:24:02]Train 2 has arrived into Minden and number 26 is having some issues spotting cars around town in these scenes from 1941.

[00:24:15]Heat. Heat.

[00:24:48]The engine and its consist lay over in mind before their return trip to Reno as train And the VNT had built their line to Minden in order to tap into the agricultural, dairy, and livestock traffic in the Carson Valley with major backing from the HF Dangberg Land and Livestock Company. The line opened for business on July 4th, 1906.

[00:25:26]Number 26 backs its train into the depot at Minden before returning to Reno with its fan trip consist in 1947. With number 27 approaching the date of its ICCmandated overhaul, the VNT was in need of a larger locomotive than what they had with number 25 and 26. The company sold second number 25 to RKO Pictures for $5,000 to purchase their second number five from the Nevada Copper Belt, a 280 built by Alco in 1925. Number 27 was set aside in September 1948.

[00:26:14]Number five heads out of Reno with train 2.

[00:26:20]A VT Transit Company bus passes the train coming into Reno.

[00:26:26]When a 1948 survey was done by the VNT to upgrade the railroad, it was deemed that the cost would be too high for the company budget, and the railroad was officially slated for abandonment as it entered its 80th year. With this announcement, the California Nevada Railroad Historical Society sponsored a final farewell Comtock Express over the VNT from Reno to Carson City and Minden on May 29th, 1949. This was also built as the last run of number 27, which was pulled out of retirement for this trip.

[00:26:55]And the engine was fitted with a balloon stack with red trim, as well as red trim around the headlight and a cowboy on his horse mounted on the bell bracket.

[00:27:15]Number 27 departs Carson City with the dead head move of part of the fan contest to Reno where it will meet number 26.

[00:27:42]The dead head move speeds through Pleasant Valley as it continues toward Reno.

[00:27:50]The 27 has joined the 26 with the rest of the fanrip consist as the double header backs into the SP depot.

[00:28:16]The two engines leave Reno with a soldout train for this farewell trip over the railroad.

[00:28:47]In addition to the railroad bringing number 27 back into service for this trip, the VNT also cobbled together every single piece of rolling stock that could roll to make up the special train.

[00:28:58]500 passengers are aboard for this farewell trip to Carson City and Mind.

[00:29:48]The train heads out of Reno with a large motorcade forming along Highway 395 on the way out of town.

[00:30:09]The two engines roll across Highway 395 as they start the journey through Pleasant Valley.

[00:30:40]The double header crosses Trestle 17E as the train approaches Wo City for a photo stop.

[00:31:04]The fan trip slows into Wo City where everyone will get off for a photo run by.

[00:31:16]Wo city was founded as a lumber camp for Virginia City in 1860 and was the seat for Wo County until it was moved to Reno in 1871. The completion of the Virginia and Truckucky in 1869 reduced the importance of Wo City as a lumber town.

[00:31:31]In 1914, the post office which had been renamed to Wo shut down and Wo City became a ghost town.

[00:31:42]Heat. Heat.

[00:32:14]Heat. Heat.

[00:32:33]The rail fans get back on board and the train is paced along Highway 395 near Franktown.

[00:33:02]The two engines cross Highway 395 again, rolling through the Wo Valley.

[00:33:37]The double header negotiates the shoe fly around tunnel number one at Lake View Summit.

[00:34:02]Heat.

[00:34:31]After arriving at Carson City, photo ops were held around the engine house before number 27 took Part of the fan trip consists solo to mind. A photo run by is held at the trestle over the Carson River.

[00:35:00]Heat.

[00:35:28]Heat.

[00:35:29]The 27 is Run Around the Y at Minden for the return trip to Carson City.

[00:35:44]Number 27 has arrived back into Carson City where a sevenc car consist will be made up for the return trip to Reno behind number 26.

[00:35:54]From on board the train, we climbed the Lake View Grade just outside of Carson City.

[00:36:09]Number 26 arrives in Torino and the biggest fan trip ever run over the VNT comes to a close.

[00:36:24]It's winter on the east side of the Sierras and the snow is coming down around the VNT yard in Carson City.

[00:37:08]Sitting in the yard at Carson City is the state of Nevada's male sea box car, which was one of 49 box cars sent over to the United States from France as part of their MEC train, which was in response to the 1947 Friendship Train, a train of relief supplies sent over from the US to France and Italy following World War II. 48 of the box cars went to each individual state in the union and the 49th car was split between Washington DC and the territory of Hawaii. This car arrived into Carson City on the VNT behind engine number 26 with great fanfare on February 23rd, 1949.

[00:37:43]By 1950, the days of mounting a snowplow to the front of a steam engine were over, and the VNT relied on snowplow number 51 and flanger number 52 for any removal service.

[00:37:58]Train two with road engine 26 heads out of Reno with number five and snowplow 51 assisting in clearing the way for its southbound run.

[00:38:26]On another day, the two engines in plow leave Reno with several stock cars in the consist for a minute.

[00:38:37]On the evening of May 1st, 1950, number 26 rolled into Reno with train one as usual. The crew took the engine back to the Reno engine house and photographer Bill Bey took photos of the 26 as it was turned and put away.

[00:38:57]Not even 30 minutes later, sirens could be heard and he looked out to see smoke rising from the Reno engine house. He rushed back to see the building totally engulfed in flames with number 26 still inside. Completely helpless. The fire department did everything they could to save the engine house and the 26, but it was too late. Nothing could be done.

[00:39:20]The next morning, the sun rose to reveal the entire extent of the damage. The once proud and dependable VNT26 was now a total loss.

[00:40:10]Number five takes the 26 back to Carson City where it will live out the rest of its days on the railroad awaiting its final fate.

[00:40:19]It is May 6th, 1950, and the snow is coming down as number five arrives at the depot in Carson City.

[00:40:56]It is Mackie day and students of the University of Nevada Reno in conjunction with the VNT are celebrating one last shipment of Comtock gold over the railroad.

[00:41:19]Appropriately, this final shipment has arrived at the VNT depot by horse and wagon.

[00:41:29]On hand for the occasion is Carson City Mayor Pendergraft armed with a shotgun to oversee the loading of the precious cargo onto the train. But not without a quick pose for the movie cameras.

[00:42:15]The short train blasts out of Carson City.

[00:42:35]Heat up here.

[00:42:51]The number five rolls past the water tank at Franktown.

[00:43:20]The train rolls through steamboat.

[00:43:37]The 280 makes its way into Reno and heads for the SP depot.

[00:44:11]Arriving at the SP depot, the normal passenger and baggage business is taken care of before the train heads for the celebration to unload the expensive cargo.

[00:44:26]The final shipment from the Commtock is taken off the train and will be placed at the Mackie School of Mines at the University of Nevada Reno campus. More than 100 students have gathered with some in period dress and with horses and wagons to participate in this historic occasion and a parade was held through the downtown streets.

[00:44:46]The following day, it was the rail fans turn to make history on the VNT. On May 7th, 1950, a small group of fans with the likes of Al Rose, Louis Stein, and Otto Perry were all on hand for one last ride over the railroad.

[00:45:13]With the consist put together, the train heads for the SP depot.

[00:45:22]This train with number five from Reno to Minden would be the last fan trip ever run over the VNT.

[00:45:40]Photo runbys were held at almost every notable location along the railroad.

[00:45:44]Number five crosses the Truckucky River heading out of Reno.

[00:45:59]Heat. Heat.

[00:46:09]Another photo run by in Wo Canyon was held at Trestle 17F just before Wo. our city.

[00:46:52]It's a short walk up the ride ofway for the next photo run by coming into Wo City.

[00:47:02]Heat.

[00:47:23]Heat.

[00:47:47]There is nice light for the photo run by at Lake View Summit as the number five negotiates the shoe fly around tunnel one.

[00:48:06]The train rolls along Washington Street and arrives at the Carson City Depot.

[00:48:46]Another photo run by is held at the bridge over the Carson River.

[00:49:37]Stub switches were used on the VNT right up to the end. And number five takes its train around the Y at Minden.

[00:50:06]On May 11th, 1950, with number five being scheduled to be taken out of service in need of ICC mandated boiler work and number 26 burnt to a crisp, number 27 had to be put back into service for the final three weeks of the VNT's operation. The last day of service for the Virginia Truckucky Railway would be on May 31st, 1950.

[00:50:30]The last train 2 departed Reno with a flat car load of farm equipment for Carson City. Number 27 passes the lead mine between Steamboat and Wo City.

[00:51:08]Crossing trestle 17F in Wo Canyon.

[00:51:20]Crossing Highway 395 and racing through the Wo Valley.

[00:51:35]Arriving into Carson City, where the last load of mail from Reno will be unloaded.

[00:51:56]at Minden. The last train two became the last train one. A crowd had gathered at the depot as taps was played and a shotgun salute was given, saying goodbye to the VNT.

[00:52:28]Train one makes its way through Wo Canyon, returning to Reno for the final time with a single box car from Minden.

[00:52:44]At Steamboat, the railroad agreed to stop the train for 10 minutes so that local school children could pay tribute to the ending of an era. At the ceremony, Virginia Truckucky Railway general manager Gordon Samson remarked, "All of us who love this little railway will sadly miss its cheery whistles and bright bells.

[00:53:16]number 27 with train one arrives at the SP depot in Reno for the final time.

[00:53:46]The last male to ever be carried over the railroad is unloaded and number 27 backs its consist out of the depot, officially ending the days of common carrier service for the Virginia Truckucky Railway.

[00:54:07]With the days of the VNT providing regular service now over, number 27 departed Reno the following day for Carson City. Her fate still undecided.

[00:54:17]Charles Kle and Lucius BB would move the Gold Coast off of the VNT to SP property and take up new residency in Virginia City. The silver screen, also called on the VNT for two last trips for a paying audience. Number five, fitted with a balloon stack, would race its way through the desert and train tombstone.

[00:54:41]And number 27 would have one final swan song when it starred in Roar of the Iron Horse, a 15 episode serial shown throughout 1951.

[00:55:05]Heat. Heat.

[00:55:22]November of 1950 saw the last train to ever run over the VNT when number five towed the remains of 26 over to Reno where both would meet their final demise. Also in the consist that day was VNT23, a former Yusede Valley Railway RPO that survived and is now part of the Niles Canyon Railway. Scrapping of the rails took place shortly thereafter, and the Virginia Truckucky Railway officially passed into history.

[00:55:54]With number 27 having pulled the last regularly scheduled train over the VNT, she was immortalized and she would be on display at several places along the VNT rideway for the next several decades.

[00:56:19]1950 would not be the last time that a Virginiaian Truckucky engine would be seen under steam in Reno. The National Model Railroad Association held their Pacific Coast region convention in Reno on May 9th, 1953.

[00:56:34]In addition to the cab Ford being on display, VNT number 12, the Genanoa, was brought over from Portola for a trip over the Western Pacific Reno branch.

[00:57:01]Starting in the 1930s and throughout the following decades, the surviving Virginiaian truck equipment would become the backbone of the railroad preservation movement in the West, ensuring that the history of the railroad to the commtock and the big bonanza of Virginia City will never fade away.

[00:57:39]Heat. Heat.

[00:57:44]Heat.

[00:57:55]Heat.

[00:58:04]Heat. Heat.

[00:58:26]Heat. Heat.

[00:58:45]Heat.

[00:59:00]Heat.

[00:59:08]Heat.

[00:59:21]Heat.

[00:59:40]Heat. Heat.