Steam & Excursion > A 1937 Virginia & Truckee Scene Right Out Of The 1870's

No one can dispute that the V&T is the classic railroads of all time in the U.S.. The ancient equipment from this 1870's railrad built to serve the silver boom in the Comstock lasted until the very end in 1950. Some of the equipment was so old and classic that it was bought in the 1930's and 1940's by the Hollywood Studios for use in thier popular westerns.

I love this scene shot in May 1937. The roundhouse crews have spent the early morning and have readied V&T 4-4-0 #11 inside the "Stone Fortress" in Carson City, NV. She emerges into the morning light through the arched doors as she prepares to take her train on the climb up to Virginia City.

You can almost feel the warn sun on you as the gently panting #11 eases out of the cool interior of the stone enginehouse for another day on the "Silver Shortline".

Martin

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Really a tragic loss that that building could not be saved. Luckily a huge amount of the equipment survived into preservation. The V&T is still probably the greatest collection of 19th century rolling stock in America.

Thanks, Taylor

Posted from iPhone

I have heard the building materials went to a California vinyard. Does anyone have details?

Posted from Android

Mark Mitscher
Shawnee, KS

The stone from the building went to a winery in the Napa Valley.

Martin

The "Stone Fortress" is really something. I would like to see more photos of this!

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com

Here you go, Steve..

Photos courtesy of Dave Maffei and Library of Congress.

KRK

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Thanks for posting these. It really was an impressive and somewhat unusual structure.

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com

That building is HUGE, considering the size of the V&T!

The V&T was a huge railroad in the early years and had over 40 trains a day. They also made parts for and repaired locomotives for many railroads in the Sierras and Nevada.

Martin

The V&T also did commercial work out of the foundry and shop.

One example of the work is on display at the State Museum. A press once used at the mint to produce silver dollars now makes comemerative coins.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/12 10:24 by Pullman.