I am a member of the Nevada State railroad Museum in Carson City. I might beable to get some information and pictures for you.
Tom,
I do have a cousin Gregory, and he used to work for the Church, but I think he has gotten over it. Since he lives in Redondo Beach, I think we’re talking about a different guy.
The improvements to 395 don’t interfere with the old right of way. 395, instead of turning right onto Main St. will continue past the quarry, through town about at Graves St., and hopefully reconnect well south of town. Probably the best thing for travelers in a long time.
Nevin, and others who may be interested,
I had recently read a couple of articles concerning the V & T that might be of interest to one intending to model the railroad or one of it’s features. Two are in the Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette magazine.
In the May/June 2000 issue, starting on page 49 is a layout of Virginia City that I think is pretty well done. It captures the essence of the place as it existed in the mid 1930’s.
Since I’m more of a “stickbuilder” rather than a true modeler, and I know Virginia City pretty well, it would be an impossible task for me to perform. This fellow is good at what he did and is inspiring in his use of selective compression to create a model that leaves out 90% of what’s there, yet you’re able to easily recognize the place, and it does not inspire criticism. Anybody thinking of modeling this place, can learn a lot from this fellows efforts.
Since the V & T has spurs to all the mines, and Virginia City is on the side of a mountain, this would be an excellent switching layout.
In the November/December 2005 issue, is an article on the Eureka Mill. The Mill was about one mile from the V & T and uses a little 30” narrow gauge to transport ore from the incline railway, that connects the two, to the mill where the silver was extracted. Those itching to model a stamp mill will find fertile ground here.
The magazine specializes in narrow gauges, two of which touch the V&T, and shortlines which the V&T was (
The Bachmann old time 4-4-0 “Jupiter” is a “right-on” for the V&T Genoa and runs really well if you add electrical wipers on the tender.
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1879/locomotives/wipers/
The addition of the wipers will allow it to crawl over Atlas dead switch frogs.
Harold
I saw an article in trains or the railroad press from about two years ago that said the state of nevada and private interests are working on getting the Virginia & Truckeee rebuilt and extended to a connection with the union pacific.
i don’t model the V&T but i do have one of MDC’s 40 foot V&T green gondolas i picked up for about 5 bucks at a flea market in lapeer michigan in 2001. it has small mw in lower left hand corner that i am guessing means it was used for work train service
Nevin,
I don’t model the V&T but the shortline I model operated in much the same time period and used some equiptment similar to the V&T and locomotives similar to the V&T #26 and #27 4-6-0’s. PFM and Beaver Creek imported brass models of these. The Beaver Ceek models are exceptional. PFM models are very nice espically the later versions with plated drivers with the motor located in the boiler rather than the tender driven issue. Other V&T loco’s have also been offered in brass and plastic so you should be able to build up a V&T roster quite easily. Its on of the best represented shortlines in all of modelrailroading. You might check the magazine index. Over the past 30 years the Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette has done numerous articles and scale drawings of V&T equipment and structures. It’s one of the few standard gauge shortlines the Gazette has paid much attention to. Keep us posted on your progress. Most steam era shortliners regardless of what railroad they model are always interested to hear about the V&T. Bruce
there are a number of V&T models available in brass in addition to the PFM 4-4-0s “Original” and modernized. PFM and Westside both did 4-6-0 #26, Beaver creek 4-6-0s 26 and 27, Key, & GHB did 4-6-0 #25, Model Engineering Works did an excellent 2-6-0 “Tahoe” #20, and back in 1952 International imported a somewhat crude 4-4-0 #12, Ken Kidder imported the same model in 1958
A bit OT but the railroad’s extension to Carson City is in progress. The track now runs from Virginia City to American Flat, and the V&T ran trains to American Flat last fall.
Here is a website on the reconstruction project:
JOHN
Unfortunately this is not entirely true. The Virginia & Truckee is not being rebuilt. What they are doing is building a modern tourist railroad which runs through some of the area where the V&T tracks used to be. There will not be a Union Pacific connection.
Is there any evidence of this model other than the Brown Book listing? Can anyone provide a photo of the box label or maybe an old advertisement?
I have seen an example of the International Models Genoa for sale on eBay within the last couple of months. The model on eBay had a turned stack and domes no rivet detail smooth sided tender, but it was unmistakable that it was a model of the Genoa
One of what looks to be the International Models (1952) run “Genoa” is currently on eBay item number 150106042104
it has had the drivers replaced with plated wheels, (original wheels were brass & unplated) it does not appear to be the later KK version unless the stack was also changed
one of these Takara/International models in kit form is listed on eBay, item 290257263556. Item description as follows:
Item: H.O. Brass Steam Loco Kit (4-4-0) “American” Locomotive kit
Based on prototype Virginia & Truckee “Glenda”
Manufacturer: International Model Products
( by Takara Ltd. Japan)
Date: 1952
Condition: Kit Form ( NEW- original box)
I amd new to this forum. This is my second post. I have been interested in the V & T since 1984 and have started building an HO V&T Lines several times over the years. Since I’m retired now, I have once again started an HO V&T. As a matter of fact, I have started a web site where I am documenting my progress and the history of my journey in building the layout thus far. Please, everyone out there, visit my site below and tell me what you think. I think it is a colorful and excellent Roadname to model, even loosly, as it was in existance from 1869 to 1950 and had about 34 steam locomotives over that time.
Mike Tuomala’s V&T Lines Website - http://home.mchsi.com/~mtuomala/index.html
Mike
Howdy, Mike. [#welcome] to the Forums.
I googled your home town first, so I realize that Virginia City is a day’s drive from you - but still well worth the trip. Just take US395 off I-15 half way up Cajon Pass, then turn right onto US40 at Carson City…
The best-preserved of the original V&T locos are at the Nevada Railroad Museum, which is right alongside 395 in Carson City. There’s also a beauty stuffed and mounted in the old freight station (now a museum) in Virginia City. The operating locos at Virginia City are later imports, but the roadbed is mostly original.
I don’t recommend the route through my home town. OTOH, if you do come, bring money…
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - in Sin City in 2008)
Toot Toot, thanks for posting that auction listing. Even though the silhouette on the box looks like a V&T engine, I don’t think the seller’s description is credible. Too many details on the model (which was imported in the late 1950’s, not the early '50’s) differ from the V&T’s engines.
People point to the Brown Book as proof International imported a V&T engine, but how can one be sure the Brown Book is correct?
i purchased one of the International 4-4-0 kits
the box does not identify the model as being “V&T”
the original sales slip was slipped into the box, it is dated 1953 but does not identify the kit except as “4-4-0 kit”
Those of you who are fans of the V&T should check out the Yahoo group dedicated to this unique railroad. It has many useful files and photos in addition to the forum comments. And currently it lists a forthcoming symposium and model workshop to be held in Carson City in October. See: http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/vandtmodelers1869/.
Voyager
Voyager,
Thanks for the recomendation of the V&T Yahoo group. I took a quick look at it and there is some good modeling represented as well as information. In the future, I plan on using it as a reference for my modeling, even though loosely depicting the V&T.
Mike
My late father and I were into HO V&T . I have several HO engines and rolling stock, buildings and have looked at several layout schemes. A great place to start is to visit the Sacramento railroad mesum the have some restored engines and rolling stock and a great deal of historical photos. I will build another layout one of these days.