# All Aboard! V&T Railroad to Virginia City, Nevada *By James Hills, mantripping.com — Updated February 2025* Allllllll aboard! It's time to take a journey into the past and explore a time when the west was barely settled and riches were sitting just below the surface of the earth simply waiting for someone to uncover them. During this time, one of the greatest mining booms in the United States happened in Virginia City, site of the 1859 Comstock Lode. That discovery instantly turned men into millionaires and the city exploded from just a handful of miners to 25,000 residents. With that explosive growth and the city's remote location at 6,200 feet elevation on the side of a mountain, a railway was needed. While the V&T railway isn't the exact same as what once serviced the city, it is a great way for guests to reach Virginia City from Carson City today and it provides a better perspective on Virginia City's history than simply driving up the twisty turny roads. By 1863 (only 4 years after the Comstock Lode was discovered), [Virginia City](https://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com/) included gas and sewer lines, a one hundred room International Hotel with an elevator, three theatres, the Maguire Opera House, four churches, and three daily newspapers. At it's peak, the city had a population of more than 25,000 residents and was one of the richest cities in America - a partner to San Francisco, which had boomed due to the riches flowing out of the California gold fields 10 years earlier. By 1970 regular train service was established between Virginia City and Carson City along this route that you can now ride again. By the mid-1870s the mines in Virginia become so productive that 30-45 trains operated daily along the 55-mile long railway that no stretched all the way to Reno where it connected with the Central Pacific. Despite this high volume of traffic, the V & T Railway became known as the "Very Crooked and Terribly Rough" Railroad due to the twisted and winding route up the mountain. While I have to imagine that our experience was probably more smooth than that over a hundred years ago I can certainly identify with that sentiment. Guys Trip Destinations and Getaway Ideas MANTRIPPING [GWARbar Is A Must Visit Dive Bar In Richmond, Virginia](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ffood-and-drink%2Fgwarbar-is-a-must-visit-dive-bar-in-richmond-virginia.html&id=1477&type=blog&site=mantripping) [Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ffood-and-drink%2Fgwarbar-is-a-must-visit-dive-bar-in-richmond-virginia.html&id=1477&type=blog&site=mantripping) MANTRIPPING [An Introduction To Wines Of Georgia Geography, Tasting, and Pairing Ideas](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ffood-and-drink%2Ftasting-wines-of-georgia.html&id=1473&type=blog&site=mantripping) [Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ffood-and-drink%2Ftasting-wines-of-georgia.html&id=1473&type=blog&site=mantripping) MANTRIPPING [Beyond Detroit: Best Places In Michigan For A Guys Trip](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ftravel%2Fbeyond-detroit-best-places-in-michigan-for-a-guys-trip.html&id=349&type=blog&site=mantripping) [Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ftravel%2Fbeyond-detroit-best-places-in-michigan-for-a-guys-trip.html&id=349&type=blog&site=mantripping) We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Unfortunately, with the decline of mining starting in the 1880's and continuing through the 1900's, the line was ultimately abandoned in 1950 and the historic rolling stock was sold to Paramount Studios. Luckily this was not the end of the story for the [V&T railway](https://vtrailway.com/). In 1972, Robert Gray acquired part of the right of way and began reconstructing the historic route. By 1979 trains had started rolling again and now operates between the Carson City Depot "Eastgate" and Virginia City. While the heyday is long over, [Virginia City](https://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com/) is still an active mining area and takes you back in time like almost nothing else can. Along the route we say a herd of wild mustangs, passed through hand-dug tunnels that were so narrow that you could nearly touch the walls from the train, and past both historic remains of mines and ones that are still operating today.  Steam trains run between May and October. However, there are various tickets and routes available throughout the year, including the Polar Express leading up to Christmas and Dinner Trains and Wine Tasting Trains. The two main routes are Carson City-Virginia City, a 24-mile round trip that makes a great way to visit Virginia City, and the 4-mile road trip between Virginia City - Gold Hill. Tickets can be purchased on their website. Whether you are visiting with a bunch of guys to relive the days of the wild west on your mancation adventure or doing a romantic weekend with your wife to go shopping in Virginia City, a ride on the historic V&T Railway is more than worth both the time and money. There aren't that many authentic experiences like this that are left for us these days and so when you get one it's hard to pass up! Details Written by: James Hills Last Updated: 27 February 2025 ### 🚢Ready To Book A Vacation? Let us help you plan a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or tour for your next guys trip, family vacation, or romantic getaway. Click here to [**Book Your Next Vacation**](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html). #### Cruises Are Expensive, Here's How to Finance Your Guys Trip Without Sinking Your Wallet Jun 20, 2026 [Cruises Are Expensive, Here's How to Finance Your Guys Trip Without Sinking Your Wallet](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/financing-guys-cruise-vacation-guide.html) [Plan Your Next Vacation Today!](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html) ### Products & Gift Ideas #### reMarkable Paper Pure Review: The First Stylus That Actually Feels Like Paper To Me Jul 13, 2026 [reMarkable Paper Pure Review: The First Stylus That Actually Feels Like Paper To Me](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/remarkable-paper-pure-review.html) #### I Doubted Electric Grilling Until The Kenyon City Grill Proved Me Wrong Jul 02, 2026 [I Doubted Electric Grilling Until The Kenyon City Grill Proved Me Wrong](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/kenyon-city-grill-review.html) #### Gorilla GCG-1200 Steel Utility Cart Is The Lawn and Garden Hauler That Saved My Back Jul 02, 2026 [Gorilla GCG-1200 Steel Utility Cart Is The Lawn and Garden Hauler That Saved My Back](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/gorilla-gcg-1200-utility-cart-review.html) ### Top Guys Trip Ideas: #### At the BMW Performance Center You Will Learn How to REALLY Drive May 04, 2018 [At the BMW Performance Center You Will Learn How to REALLY Drive](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/bmw-performance-center-california.html) #### 10 National Parks You Should Visit This Summer for the Ultimate Guys Trip Jul 09, 2025 [10 National Parks You Should Visit This Summer for the Ultimate Guys Trip](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/national-parks-you-should-visit-summer-guys-trip.html) #### Grand Velas All Inclusive Suites and Spa Resort Nov 28, 2018 [Grand Velas All Inclusive Suites and Spa Resort](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/grand-velas-suites-and-spa-resort.html) ### Related Articles #### Vegas Isn't the Best Gambling Trip Anymore - But It's Still the Easy Default [Vegas Isn't the Best Gambling Trip Anymore - But It's Still the Easy Default](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/vegas-easy-default-guys-gambling-trip.html) #### The Vegas Safety Talk Nobody Gives You Before a Guys Trip To Sin City [The Vegas Safety Talk Nobody Gives You Before a Guys Trip To Sin City](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/vegas-guys-trip-safety-tips.html) #### How to Work a Vegas Casino Floor on a Guys Weekend [How to Work a Vegas Casino Floor on a Guys Weekend](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/how-to-work-a-vegas-casino-floor-guys-weekend.html) #### High-Stakes Bachelor Parties: Where to Celebrate for Guys Who Love To Gamble [High-Stakes Bachelor Parties: Where to Celebrate for Guys Who Love To Gamble](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/high-stakes-bachelor-party-ideas.html) #### Frey Ranch Bourbon From Nevada Brings A Western Backdrop To Classic American Whiskey [Frey Ranch Bourbon From Nevada Brings A Western Backdrop To Classic American Whiskey](https://www.mantripping.com/food-and-drink/frey-ranch-bourbon-from-nevada-brings-a-western-backdrop-to-classic-american-whiskey.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/search.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/sitemap.html) - [** Polls](https://www.mantripping.com/polls.html) - [Community Login](https://www.mantripping.com/registration/login.html) - [Brand Engagement Newsletter](https://www.mantripping.com/pr-ops-newsletter.html) - [Links](https://www.mantripping.com/links.html) - [Pitch Portal](https://www.mantripping.com/pitch.html) - [Men's Travel Survey](https://www.mantripping.com/the-mantripping-guys-trip-report-spring-2026.html) --- ### Need help planning? **Heather** is a cruise and travel specialist at mantripping.com with over 15 years of experience in personalized trip planning. She helps travelers plan cruise vacations tailored to their specific needs — whether it's choosing the right ship, coordinating a group, or finding the best itinerary for your budget and interests. **Get in touch:** - [Request a personalized quote](https://mantripping.com/book-with-heather?ref=agent) - Email: heather@flowmediamarketing.com --- **About mantripping.com:** Men's travel, lifestyle, and adventure since 2010. Honest reviews from 20+ years of travel experience. *Source: [All Aboard! V&T Railroad to Virginia City, Nevada](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/all-aboard-v-t-railroad-to-virginia-city-nevada.html) — mantripping.com* **Related content you may find useful:** - [Travel guides and destination reviews](https://mantripping.com/travel/) - [Men's lifestyle and gear reviews](https://mantripping.com/mens-lifestyle/)