Find Your Perfect Train Ride in Nevada Today

Two very popular train rides in Nevada can be found on both the Nevada Northern Railroad and at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City.
You can operate either a steam or diesel locomotive on the Nevada Northern Railway’s Engineer Rental Program.

Did you know?

There are 26 steam locomotives listed in Nevada today, with many of them on display in museums. Virginia & Truckee 4-4-0 No. 22 and V&T 4-6-0 No. 25 operate scenic excursions at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Additional steam locomotives, the 2-8-0 No. 93 and 4-6-0 No. 40, operate scenic train rides on the Nevada Northern Railway. Built in 1875, the Las Vegas based Eureka & Palisades 4-4-0 No. 4 is privately own and has made appearances at various narrow gauge tourist railroads during special events in Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado.
What Nevada may lack in total track mileage with only 1200 miles, it more than makes up for it in the history and preservation of the railroads that have served the state. Starting with the Virginia & Truckee Railroad’s early days of hauling million’s of dollars worth of gold and silver, and to it’s preservation of classic and vintage rolling stock often used in Hollywood films, Nevada railroads have long played a part in showcasing our greatest railroads in the movies. Nevada museums and railways also offer a chance to relive the history of a state that was part of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869.

Boulder City

Nevada Southern Railway

Train rides depart from the Nevada Southern Railway Museum, Boulder City Depot (off Yucca Street) and travels 7 miles along the revitalized historic Boulder Branch Line to Railroad Pass located within the River Mountain Range. Scenic train rides are approximately forty-five minutes in duration. Passengers ride in restored Pullman coaches dating back to 1911. Trains are operated by the Nevada State Railroad Museum and includes interpretative displays of various railway equipment, including steam locomotive No. 264 with its unique Vanderbilt tender.

Nevada State Railroad Museum

The Nevada Southern Railway Museum, located at the Boulder City Depot, operates the Nevada Southern Railway excursion trains. Museum collection includes locomotives and railcars.

Nevada Southern Railway Live Steamers

A 1.5″ scale 7.5″ gauge live steam railroad operating at the Nevada Southern Railway. Run days open to the public are scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month (except July & August), and for special events. Steam locomotives may not be available on every run day. Other locomotives may be substituted as necessary.

Carson City

Nevada State Railroad Museum

The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City preserves the railroad heritage of Nevada, including locomotives and cars of the famous Virginia and Truckee Railroad and other railroads of the Silver State. The wood-burning Inyo 4-4-0 is one of the oldest operating steam engines in the United States. It became a star in Hollywood, appearing in 29 movies and starring in The Wild Wild West television series. Built in 1875 by Baldwin for the V&T, it is represented here as are many 19th century vintage freight and passenger cars used by many Hollywood studios. Among the 65 locomotives and cars in the collection, 40 were built before 1900, with 31 pieces that once operated on the V & T Railroad. Directions

East Ely

Nevada Northern Railway

Designated a National Historical Landmark, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum is dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, and operation of the Nevada Northern Railway historic facilities, yards, and rail collection. The museum is one of the few places in the world where you can get your hands on the throttle of either a steam or diesel locomotive. Nevada Northern Railway operates two steam engines, the No. 93, from Alco Pittsburgh, a 2-8-0, Consolidation, built in 1909 and No. 40, a 2-6-0 Mogul, Baldwin built in 1910. And what makes the Nevada Northern truly unique is the very rare opportunity to take the locomotive out onto the mainline! Depending on the time of year, excursion train rides include a Wine Train, a Father’s Day Special, a BBQ Train, an Octoberfest Train, a Haunted Ghost Train, and Polar Express Trains. Directions

Virginia City

Virginia and Truckee Railroad

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad originally began in 1859 as a mining railroad to haul more than $400 million in gold and silver from the famous Comstock Lode. Today the 2.5 mile scenic train ride makes for a rather enjoyable 35 minute round trip between Virginia City and Gold Hill. Train specials include moonlight train rides, wine trains and a Halloween train. Two Baldwin locomotives, No. 29, built in 1916, a 2-8-0 Consolidation and No.18, 2-8-2, featured in the 1939 movie Union Pacific, built in 1914, provide the steam power for these excursions, as well as an ex-Army 1953 diesel. The V & T Railroad is in the process expanding and plans to have the route extended in the next few years. Directions.