Virginia and Truckee Locomotives and the California State Railroad Museum

[@chiconian49]

Nice film. Lionel also produced a replica of the No.12 as a set in 1988. The engine is black and brass colored and is a 4-4-0, #8702. It is called The Dry Gulch Set and was a Service Station Special. Tender is black with gold lettering V&T R.R. Set comes with one baggage car and two passenger car. Cars are painted in V&T R.R. yellow and green. I came in a beautiful boxed set.

[@danielboone3770]

I especially love V&T Empire #13 Mogul locomotive. I could stare at it all day.

[@ToyManTelevision]

We are both great lovers of the Virginia and Truckee railroad. Such amazing locomotives that they had and such a fascinating history in that area

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I had videoed that engine at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania back in September 5th 2021, while visiting the Strasburg Railroad for N&W 611.

[@danielboone3770]

I've been to the California State Railroad Museum before. There's so much to love here. I love the model train displays, the Virginia & Truckee locomotives and the Cab Forward 4294! I like love everything in this museum.

[@weeniedogwrangler7096]

Fun fact: Jack Gibson was the father of a good friend of mine who had been very heavily involved with the Nevada State RR Museum and did their newsletter for a long time. When he passed away a few years ago he was cremated and portions of his ashes were added to the fire boxes of all three then operating steam engines at the museum to be scattered via the stacks of the locomotives. I understand that one of the old guys out in Ely got the same honor on the Nevada Northern. And that, children, is what you call going out in style.

[@JaedenBettencourt]

Nice

[@ToyManTelevision]

We saw that done this summer. I guess it’s a thing people are doing. We also attended scattering ashes on the tracks of the CATS off the back platform. Hit the cinders I guess.

[@billtimmons7071]

What is amazing is all the brass work the early locos had. I believe I learned this from another of your videos .. back in the day each loco had a dedicated crew assigned. It was their loco so you know they kept these machines looking good and running good. When I was in the navy it seemed we spent a lot of time polishing brass as it tended to get pretty discolored - lots of work. The brass on these machines makes them a work of art and a work of science and technology. Very good camera shots and good camera angles. Thanks for taking time to do this.

[@ToyManTelevision]

bill timmons indeed’. And conductors had their own caboose. When on the road they lived in it. The locomotive crew stayed in a hotel or housing. I’m willing to bet the locomotive was always sharp! Check out buster Keaton’s the general. As silly as the film is it really shows the crew and their love of their locomotive. Like a fighter pilot and crew. Keaton calls the locomotive “ my general” really like that. The first third of the film really tells a mostly factual account. The Engeneer chased his stolen locomotive on foot and then a hand car. Later the Texas locomotive. And kept the raiders from getting away. Not in the film, the raiders were hanged.

[@johnbeck3270]

Not only all the brass work but the lettering and striping as well. This was all done by hand as well as the lettering. The 119 had murals painted on the corners of the tender, I think “Jupiter” did too. These machines were definitely works of art. Finished in bright colors.

[@russellmoore376]

The bowker does look like a passenger engine but was ordered from Baldwin to be used as a switcher in the yard at the end of the flume in Carson City. That is why it has always had the water pump. The photos you reference of it pulling passenger cars were all taken after it was retired from v and t service and became a prop. One really cool thing to note about the Genoa is that it was one of the main locomotives to pull the joint cp and v&t lighting express. The 25 is owned strictly by nsrm and only runs on the museum's track in Carson City.

[@JerkRice]

Those V&T Engines are what everyone imagines when you talk about early steam engines. Their shape is iconic. Your video, like the V&T engines, is nice and pretty.

[@crystalrock18]

This railroad is definitely on my bucket list to go see. It's also really awesome that the state of NV recognizes the historical value of it's railroads, and wants to preserve their railroad heritage.

[@thomaslutzenkirchen9526]

Greetings from Germany, thank you for this great video. I love the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.

[@Buck1954]

I went to that big Sacramento museum in 1985 and have always wanted to go back. Thank you for the reminder.

[@robertemmons2260]

I love to learn the history of railroads through difficult terrain that were built to serve a need for the time. Thanks again for another great video?

[@ToyManTelevision]

HI. And thanks!!!!!

[@krissfemmpaws1029]

That was really interesting and think so many of today's young people have no idea of how we got to this point in technology or what it took to get here.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Kriss Femmpaws history should be taught. No point making the same mistakes over and over. But mostly it teaches process. How did they solve that? Oh! I get it!

[@johnniebgoode]

Can't get enough of the V&T. Love the ride from Carson City up to Virginia City.

[@jacobwoods8738]

Lovely video of some lovely engines. Just a note, the GENOA was the only one of the surviving 4-4-0s NOT converted to oil (as mentioned at 19:14). The RENO was the first to be converted and was cosmetically altered too. The INYO and DAYTON soon followed. Many other V&T engines were converted from wood to coal. There is an article stating the INYO was being converted back to wood when sold to Hollywood, but in reality the V&T just pulled an old sunflower stack and arc and box headlamp out of storage (the sunflower today on the GENOA).

[@kenshores9900]

Another interesting excursion. Karyn is such a good straight man for your jokes. I need to see the California RR museum when I am near Sacramento.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Ken Shores or me hers!

[@kenshores9900]

Guilty as charged. It is amazing how much fun you can have as you get older.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I did film all three V&T steam locomotives and the V&T passenger car too. It was my first film at the California State Railroad Museum. It was on June 16th 2019.

[@stephendollahan425]

If memory serves,Most of the doors and arches were bought by a winery in Sonoma county, Ca. I was stationed in Fallon, Nv., about 50 miles from Carson city, from 1985-1989, and again from 1993-1996. In the 4 years between tours of duty in Fallon the shops were gone. I believe the turn table would have been where the concessions building for Mills Park is now located.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup one is at the museum. Or two? Three? But at least one complete archway.

[@cambridgeh.lutece6658]

That picture at 7:17 I think was a Lake Tahoe Railroad engine on the switchback near Glenbrook. Owned by the Carson & Tahoe Lumber and Fluming Company. They also did the Lake Tahoe Railway & Transportation Company, the Lake Tahoe Valley Railway.

[@ToyManTelevision]

The Glenbrook is scheduled to run with eureka and palisades 4 on the CATS in August

[@greguzar8233]

A favorite place with a favorite short line. The one time I was there it rocketed to my number one spot. One would think I'd be there almost every week. Thank you for the look-see. Greg and Jeanne.

[@robertlucido3686]

Another one of the Virginia and Truckee engines, the Inyo #22, had also been used in movies and TV shows, such as Walt Disney's The Great Locomotive Chase, The Wild Wild West, Last train from Gun Hill, and Rails in Laramie

[@ToyManTelevision]

Robert Lucido yup. Not running while we were there but we have seen it running several times

[@robnnorthaustin]

I absolutely loved the comment "Please turn off your cell phones as it tends to interfere with the navigation of the engine" LOL I do hate it when my train takes a wrong turn.... As always thank you for sharing.

[@ToyManTelevision]

That guy is so funny. “They mostly mined leaveright. Leave er right there”.

[@scottfirman]

Yes because trains get lost easily.

[@timothyboles6457]

The V&T was and still is one of my favorite railroads. I still have a Reno and a Genoa in O scale. But niether run anymore

[@donoien3059]

Great video. Thanks for sharing history.

[@kevinwooldridge8261]

Thanks so much for another great video/history lesson guys! I took this opportunity to comment(though I've enjoyed your work for some time now) 'coz I'm the last of 20 generations of Masons... Building(&preserving!) isn't just what we did... It's who we were! Thanks again, and God Bless✌

[@johnnyjames7139]

The state museum has one of the McDermot built pacifics that was built for the Overfair Railway. It has never been fired. It was donated by the now late Al Smith.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Not sure if we’ve seen that. I assume so.... seen several 7 1/2 inch gauges there.

[@markmessner4554]

Great place to visit!!! Been there many times. What makes that location so important is the Sacramento River (which is very big) goes all the way to San Francisco. So, all the timber and gold from the Sierra Nevada Mountains, cattle and farm products from the valleys could be brought down to SF on large boats and barges. You also mentioned the building of the “Big Four” who are responsible for master minding the transcontinental railway project. The first rail laid in the West is a couple of blocks from that building and I’ve heard from a docent that there is a plaque commemorating that there at that location. I will search it out next time.

[@mrplane4205]

I’ve been wanting to go that museum for a long time now! Especially to see the cab forward. I wish they could’ve preserved a few so one might be restored to go on excursions like what was done with Big Boy

[@AgedAxes]

Your forgot to mention the Paper wheels on the tender!!! Super cool!

[@oscarwallace3677]

Yes!!!! Those are super cool. Glad someone else noticed.

[@utahcoasterenthusiasts]

These types of your videos are my favorite. Thanks for the content.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi. More coming and we just shot a great layout in 4K. See how that goes.

[@weeniedogwrangler7096]

A lot of the stone from the round house was sold to a winery in the Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino area but I don't know which one. If you were to dig around in the dirt on that vacant lot you might find some of the rail still imbedded in the ground. It's been several years since I was there so I don't know if it's still there. I'm amazed that they still haven't done anything with that lot. At one time the round house was considered as the site for the RR museum but obviously that didn't happen. Short sightedness on Carson City's part if you ask me.

[@markfrench8892]

By the way the best HO models of the Reno, Genoa and Inyo are the Bachmann 4-4-0s. Theyre much closer to scale.

[@michaeljohnston6393]

Your detail and level of facts make this one of your greatest videos. I wish I were closer to the California State RR Museum. Wow!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks. Try to get it right but miss a bit. But mostly right. I just go from what they say and what I’ve heard. But mostly correct

[@gusterposey]

I've lived in the Reno area since 1995 and Carson City proper since 2013, and throughout the years I've seen numerous construction fences erected in the old V&T Shops lot, but nothing substantial has come of it, it's kind of interesting that no one seems to commit to doing anything with it. A local casino in Carson City and a Supermarket pay tribute to the old shops by having the Arches build into their front facades, so the people of Carson City remember the V&T at least. I really wish the Reno would find it's way back to Carson City for a full on restoration, as it was operable before a fire in the 90's

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yes we saw the shops painted on a building. But dang I miss the old shops.

[@kevinching1975]

Thanks for bringing this to us I model the viginia and truckie railroad here in New Zealand

[@tomklock568]

Wow I've got to make a trip up there; I think I went to the museum when I was a kid! Thanks again.

[@transitrail0930]

Great video as usual. Can’t wait to see the California RailRoad Museum and the Carson City Museum when we do our fly drive to the states next year. Will be visiting a great deal of the railroads you have featured that are between San Francisco & Denver. Not looking forward to driving all day from Virginia City to Ogden though.

[@BCSchmerker]

+ToyMan *The Virginia & Truckee River RR (NV, USA) originally purchased fleet number 21, 1B'-h4 Burnham, Parry, Williams & Co. 6/22C SerNo 3689,* final-assembled February 1875, as a dedicated Virginia City yard locomotive to make and break trains. The Hooker steam firepump was factory-installed at Philadelphia, PA, USA, the specification being in light of a 26 May 1873 fire casualty involving dedicated Carson City yard locomotive fleet number 9, 1'B-h4 M. Baird & Co. 14-1/2C SerNo 2199 (final-assembled June 1870), which was retrofitted post hoc, viz., July 1873, with a Krombig steam firepump at Carson City.

[@ToyManTelevision]

I had heard long ago it was bought as a switcher. Odd as the drivers are large. One thing is certain, it’s an odd duck. Thanks for the information! Good to know.

[@54guy54]

I always learn something from this channel! Last weekend I was in Strasburg, PA to see the N&W 611. I was with my dad and my son. We went to the Pennsylvania Railroad museum and can you guess what engine I didn’t take a close look at?? That’s right, the V&T #20, because we ran out of time! We hope to go back again soon, so I’ll make a point of checking out that engine.

[@pinchy08]

It’s too bad we can’t go in the cab of these amazing old locomotives. I want to see the cabs of these engines.

[@railsofthenorthland1181]

If you ever have the chance you should make the trip to Duluth, MN to see the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and North Shore Scenic RailRoad!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Boy would that be fun. In July.

[@painter662]

I have to say, thank you. I live in Sacramento, Love the State Museum, have spent a lot of time there, still I learn things listening to you. I truly enjoyed you talk on the Virginia & Truckee engines. Some day you need to do a video on the McKeen Motor Car in Carson City at the Nevada State Railroad museum... got to be one of the coolest rail vehicles I can recall seeing.

[@ToyManTelevision]

That thing is so cool. And fun to ride in. Round windows and big round windows too. Wow!!! We have a show on that. I think it’s in the show on the Glenbrook. I think.

[@StressLessCamping]

We had a Bachman G scale version of this. Was so cool to have seen it in person after getting the model.

[@ToyManTelevision]

StressLess Camping the new release is a great model!!! The first one had some gear problems. But still a beautiful model

[@beast1624]

So sad that so much of our history has become Dust In The Wind. Same thing happening here in the Dallas/ Ft Worth area. Thank you for sharing!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Really. And I always thought it was a 1950’s thing. But still tearing stuff down for no reason at all.

[@Hendo56]

That "museum in Pennsylvania" is right across the road from the STRASBURG RAILROAD, which runs steam. Highly recommended.

[@ToyManTelevision]

On our wish list!!

[@johnbeck3270]

I wish someone would produce these locomotives in n scale as well as Ho. I know Bachmann is still producing ho 4-4-0s, rolling stock is a little thin. FYI, the Colorado Midland Railroad roundhouse in old Colorado City (on US 24 on the south side of Colorado Springs) is still standing, somebody made it into a candle manufacturing facility. I think there are a few pieces of equipment at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden.

[@nathanschmidt4889]

Funny thing with Genoa no.12, according to the museum, it's actually operable. So in theory, if they wanted to, it could be fired up again without much need for repair. Who's to say they won't, because as we all know, the best way to preserve equipment is to use equipment

[@erickvorst5776]

I went on that train ride was very cool loved it!!

[@FastSports-ScaleCarGarage]

Another great video! Thanks for posting it!

[@cambridgeh.lutece6658]

There is a poem on the Genoa in the book "AGE OF STEAM" by Lucius Beebe & Charles Clegg. Should also mention that the V&T Right Of Way continues past the end of the track at the station in Carson City! You should go visit the San Francisco Railway Museum (I think that's what its called), it's very small but talks a lot about the streetcars that ran in San Francisco.

[@PaulAFulcher]

Fantastic stuff thank you !

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks

[@hankrogers8431]

Great video!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Amazing trip. Wow!!!!!!! Great convention

[@Buck1954]

I ran across a huge Round House in Las Vegas NM. No tracks lead up to it, but the structure remains. It is located on US 85 just south of Prince Street. I rode my motorcycle to NM a few years ago and stayed just down the street from it. The Google man stood in the inner circle and shot a 360. Go check it out. P.S. It's right down 85 from the La Castaneda Hotel. It was a railroad hotel back in the day. It is also quite haunted.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Wow looking right now!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Wow!!! That’s great!!!! Wanna see. Need to find our way down there sometime

[@JangoF12b]

It'd be cool to see for the next anniversary of the Golden Spike, they re-make some of the 4-4-0's and send some of them on excursions across the U.S. In all different paint schemes. Or if they do it soon it'd still be cool.

[@ToyManTelevision]

There is talk about a third locomotive and cars. And doing rides.

[@JangoF12b]

@@ToyManTelevision this sounds like fun, I hope if they do it, I'm in the right area for them to be passing through!

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

there is a roundhouse in Carson city,nv and turn table to !

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup! Shame its not the original.

[@MililaniJag]

Great vid! Have you guys revisited the Western Railway Museum Rio Vista, CA for a longer vid? I'm fascinated with the Sacramento Northern Railway. Ran from Chico to Oakland electric powered. Thx!!

[@carlsorensennb7c750]

Some drivers need a turntable to turn on. I've watching your videos on our TV instead of the computer, so I can see more detail. However I don't get to do the likes or comments. Still enjoying and following. Carl

[@microbusss]

alot of the V&T you can get in HO scale I think I saw it as Jupiter in The Wild Wild West movie

[@ToyManTelevision]

It was a VandT locomotive in the old wild Wild West TV show. I thought it was the Genoa. But someone said the the Inyo. Anyway V and T!!

[@microbusss]

@@ToyManTelevision yeah but I think they used Sierra Railway #3 too in the TV show I meant the movie Wild Wild West

[@jacobramsey7624]

Have you seen any 4-4-0's that were made in the Manchester Locomotive works? I read an article about it this summer and it said that it maid a lot of locomotives ant a bunch of them went out west. I also think that the 4-4-0 that was pulled out a pit recently was made in the Manchester locomotive works as well. When I say Manchester I mean Manchester NH just so we have the right Manchester.

[@ironhorsethrottlemaster5202]

Please take some videos of the AC 12 or is it an AC 11 cab-forward for me please I've been to the Sacramento Railroad Museum but it's been a long time and that is a very interesting unique locomotive peace out into the world have a great day

[@microbusss]

the Reno I'd love to get & restore to operating condition!

[@Chris9017]

Bob Gray bought it and brought it back to Virginia City where she is undergoing evaluation for a full restoration back to operating service. :)

[@microbusss]

@@Chris9017 I saw the video! jealous!

[@borctanksnkits]

Got to love the small ww2 us tank engines I have seen a nice handful over here in the uk

[@michaeljohnston6393]

BTW, cell phones don't interfere with train ops; different frequencies!

[@STho205]

Michael Johnston same with avionics. I think every operation has middle management people that just make stuff up and call it compliance to bully others.

[@ToyManTelevision]

The problem is the engineer keeps texting!!!! Gezzzzz!!

[@isaiahwilliams2642]

I hate to burst your love bubble, but almost everything you said about the "Genoa" was completely wrong. She never appeared in any movies, maybe a few commercials, but that's it. She was paraded around the country for events dressed up as different engines for special railroad events. She's also not on loan from Carson, she is in fact owned by the state of California. If you're talking about the most famous engine that was used in many many movies, you're very likely referring to either the "Inyo," or her twin sister the "Reno." And unfortunately #25 is NOT on loan the the V&T. No original V&T engines have traveled on the restored track. It is possible, but extremely costly.

[@jdubbjazzbass]

Thank you!!,as a matter of fact,a lot of what he said,is not so!!

[@oscarwallace3677]

Yeah and the picture at 7:20 isn't even the Genoa, but is the Inyo.

[@markfrench8892]

The Genoa was restored by the California State Railroad Museum not the Nevada State Railroad Museum. It's been restored in operable condition. It's owned by the CSRM.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup. Dan Markoff told me that Chris Dewitt from Nevada state railroad museum was on the project. He also helped Dan with his locomotive. And North Pacific coast loco at CSRRM. But not sure what except I know they used the pinstripes on the NPC loco to paint the Eureka and later the tracings taken be Dan and Chris were used to repaint the NPC. Sonoma. Not sure what he did but given his skill set I assume paint with lead based paint. Anyway I wasn’t sure what that relationship was.

[@arctrooperfives844]

It’s kind of funny because while I’m watching this in Truckee right now.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Snow kidding!!

[@julyleonard]

Does the JW Bowker look similar to Casey Jr.?

[@garyritter9076]

I always thought that #11 the RENO was the famous one!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Watch Tuesday. And you will see the Genoa in 1948. A real star!

[@jdubbjazzbass]

You are correct the RENO was their favorite engine, a lot of the information he stated is not true,the GENOA #12 was never used in TV shows or movies,only the RENO#11,INYO#22,DAYTON#18 and the BOWKER#21and the#25, this is my favorite railroad........

[@usstexasbb3555]

At 0:44 me and two other friends we created this locomotive in Garry's Mod train build community

[@ToyManTelevision]

I started a brass model of it years ago. In o scale. Hum. Should revisit it.

[@davedocker1195]

I have some questions about the education of the people that worked on the engines. Most had little to no education, how were they trained? Can you answer this?

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi. Back then everything was done by apprenticeship. A very young man would get a job say as a locomotive wiper. Cleaning the brass. And putting linseed oil on the metal. Over time the older guys would show them other jobs. Every shop had apprentices. Or a single blacksmith would take on an apprentice. Often a son. Often not. A great way to teach with no student loans!!! PS. This is where the notion of “secret handshakes” comes from. Masons would show their apprentice a secret handshake after that young man perfected some skill. Each skill had a different handshake. So when a mason showed up at a job the lead mason would ask for the handshake. And if you knew the handshake you got the job. If you ever showed someone the handshake who didn’t know the skill the other masons would cut your throat. So. Keep it secret. Hi

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

awesome video toy man :)

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks!!! What a fun railroad.

[@eal8645]

What happened to your Element?

[@MattelTomy]

Andre: I’m sorry I’m sorry that is all, the train is full, remaining guests, please follow us staff members and they will lead to the main road exit, ALL ABOOOOOOOOOARD

[@MattelTomy]

10:05 Muir planes Fire and Rescue

[@calebweems9392]

Your awesome!

[@ToyManTelevision]

(blush) Gee thanks!!!!

[@calebweems9392]

@@ToyManTelevision you sir, are very welcome!

[@iannarita9816]

Thx again IGN

[@JtTaylor-mx3tm]

If I ever win the lottery im going to buy a narrow gauge steam engine and display it in my house. Do you have a video in your list showing the Dewitt Clinton?

[@ToyManTelevision]

No. And I really love that. But also the back story and the Eire canal. I’d love to see a modular group do the Erie Canal

[@Buck1954]

How can a cell phone manipulate locomotive "navigation". Trains use UHF if I'm not mistaken.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Not the Stealth versions. They use 3 way micro micro waves. Sort of like Radar. The one on MASH.

[@Buck1954]

@@ToyManTelevision As in Radar O'Reily?

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup. Top secret development of locomotive stealth technologies. Radar was his code name. Real name Dr Bernard Swartz. The reason you never saw the train is well... it’s stealth.

[@Buck1954]

@@ToyManTelevision Wait.. my leg feels like it's being elongated.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Brad Taylor That’s a stretch

[@billvassar7473]

and they call this progess

[@markfrench8892]

You come up with some of the most incorrect info sometimes. You need to consult someone first. I know, i shouldn't be picky.

[@blnmadisonbm]

👍🚂😊

[@scottfirman]

It's sad they feel they have to yammer the whole trip. Every time I go on one of these I have to listen to it. They should offer a blue tooth channel you can connect to if you want to hear it. I want to experience the sound of the train, not yap, yap, yap. I have rode many trains over the years and the best ones are those offering brochures to read if you want to learn the history of the train or line.

[@ToyManTelevision]

RC Hobbyist Extreme we hate the train robberies. So many scenic railroads feel the need to come through the train with the damn train robbery. Now and then the musicians are fun. On the longer trips. But generally all this stuff is a bunch of crap. We came to ride the steam train through the mountains. And in the middle of that experience a bunch of load people come bounding through the train demanding your attention. And this adds to the trip?

[@markfrench8892]

You need to research your history before give a history of these locomotives. And its pronounced BOW-KER. The 25 is not on loan. It's owned by the NSRM and it's permanent home is there. The Inyo as well as the Tahoe the Dayton and the Empire were also converted to to burn oil. I appreciate your enthusiasm though and I concur that the V&T was and still is the most fabulous railroad there ever was..

[@gregoryrunningelk865]

That’s too bad!

[@markfrench8892]

Do you intentionally mispronouce the names of the locomotives. It's BOW-ker.