Riding the Virginia & Truckee Railroad at Virginia City, Nevada - Steam Locomotive 29

On a July day, we were invited by Tom Gray, vice president of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, to ride the train from historic Virginia City, Nevada, to Gold Hill and back. It's a fun short trip through history over tracks that resonate with the adventures of the 19th Century Comstock Lode.
Airailimages had a special vantage point when we were invited up to the cab of 2-8-0 No. 29 for the trip to Gold Hill. Our locomotive engineer prefers to go by the nickname Meatball; the fireman was Ed. And keeping that friendly first-name basis, our informative conductors that day were Neil and Justin.
Watch as valves are opened in the cab to check the level of water on the crown sheet of the boiler. This is the old-school method of checking; a sight glass is also used.
The Virginia and Truckee Railroad is a celebrated part of the history of the American West. Recently, the railroad purchased the famed V&T steam locomotive No. 11, the "Reno", which had been a movie prop for decades. The complicated restoration to operating condition of No. 11 is a costly undertaking by the V&T.
When you buy tickets and ride the V&T out of Virginia City, you are supporting this historic shortline as it grows its fleet of steam and diesel locomotives and keeps the sound of locomotives reverberating across the Comstock.
The Virginia and Truckee Railroad isn't just a summertime thing -- fall and winter holiday theme trains are on the schedule, from Halloween to Christmas.

[@airailimages]

If you enjoy historic steam, don't miss Airailimages' Union Pacific Big Boy video from its 2021 trip out of Cheyenne: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoW6eoOppt5sga8

[@BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

Have a great weekend!! 🚂

[@airailimages]

Thanks, you too!

[@ccthepope]

Wow, Fred that is all I can say is WOW!

[@airailimages]

It was a great ride. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ChiefAUS]

What a great vantage point in the cab. Thanks for a great ride.

[@airailimages]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TickledFunnyBone]

i have now seen more mainline of the V&T than i have not seen from another channel. thanks.

[@airailimages]

You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@VT29steamtrain]

One of the best videos of the 29 I've seen! One day I hope to check out this locomotive for real, but with it's upcoming 1,472 day inspection, I'll have to wait a few years.

[@airailimages]

Thank you for your comments!

[@VT29steamtrain]

@@airailimages Credit where due, thanks from South Australia!

[@joeschenk8400]

Great video of Number 29, she is in perfect condition. Being from the soggy east I enjoy the semi-arid scenery. This was very relaxing. As always, thanks for the post.

[@airailimages]

Glad you liked it. Yes, the wild west feels good to me. Add trains and planes, and it's really great!

[@markfrench8892]

Another excellent video. The V&T has always been my favorite historical Railroad. Thank you again for sharing.

[@airailimages]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@martinpennock9430]

Great post. Love the trip. Must be grand to ride the old historic iron! Love the channel. As always God bless you and yours Mr Johnsen and thanks again for everything you do! God bless the USA!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@airailimages]

Thanks 👍

[@baritonebynight]

I'm glad they still run steam. Many heritage railroads run diesel...which is a waste of my time.

[@danieldolle7008]

I was on the Virginia @ truckèe railroad 3 or 4 times

[@omikredarhcs8221]

55 miles from my house

[@airailimages]

I like that part of Nevada a lot.