Steam & Excursion > Even After A Railroads Last Run Is Made There Might Be One More!

May 31, 1950 was billed as the very last day of operation for the fabled Virginia & Truckee Railroad.  This brought railfans from all over the West to ride the "Silver Shortline" one final time.

When V&T 4-6-0 #27 pulled back into Reno at dusk on the 31st, that was it.  The fans took the last photos they could in the failing light and said good by to each other and also to the railroad they had come to love so much.  The show was over.  But, would there be an encore?

Noted California railfan Al Rose, who had photogrpahed the V&T many times before, learned from the V&T crew that they would need to take #27 and the empty trainset back to the enginehouse in Carson City the next morning.  Not wanting to miss this truly "last run" Al decided to wait and chase the return trip the next day.

Here is one of the first shots he got on June 1, 1950 of this final move.  #27 and the trainset is just leaving Reno near the site of the single stall enginehouse that had burned earlier in May with V&T #26 inside.  The day is bright and clear and Al soon realized he had made a good choice in staying to follow this last curtain call of the V&T.

Martin



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/30/20 03:15 by LoggerHogger.

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Here's an encore from 2014 although the full line is yet to be reopened and probably never will be given modern development. 

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Nice photos, the V&T was such an interesting railroad.  Still cannot believe that the Carson City engine house wasn't preserved.  

Nathan

A true historic "last run" beauty.
Bob

Thank you Martin for posting this interesting shot of the V. & T. Do you know what the deal is with the boxcar in the consist? I have seen another photo of this same train and often wondered about that car. Could it have been some last minute freight or a V. & T. owned car that was left in Reno for whatever reason? Someone out there should know. -cc51