The original plan the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway drew up broke the project down into four distinct phases. Phase 1 involved 1.4 miles of track crossing the big fill across Overman Pit just below Gold Hill; Phase 2 included three subphases totalling 9.76 miles of track, from the end of Phase 1 to the Eastgate Siding; Phase 3 also included three subphases and would take the line down through the Carson River canyon to the far eastern outskirts of Carson City; and Phase 4 included 0.37 miles of track and the planned terminal and shop facilities.

Eastgate Siding- where the current depot is located- was where the V&T Rebuild construction budget ran out. Phase 3.1, the 1.1 miles of track from Eastgate down to the current end of track at Eureka Siding, was financed by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act because it was one of those famous "shovel ready" projects. This phase landed the rebuild on several lists of wasteful projects compiled mostly by Republican politicians, and also earned the rebuild the nickname of "Red Light Express" due to the proximity to the Mound House brothels.

The Commission's ultimate plans are to continue the rebuild down through the rest of Phase 3 and Phase 4...the following link should take one to a general overview of the proposed final depot site, which is planned to be nestled around the junction of Drako Way and Carabou Drive in the middle of the map:

[goo.gl]

If you scroll down to the southeast, the projected line will drop down a new grade cut into the hillside, eventually meeting up with the Brunswick Canyon Road shortly before the big gravel pit. From that point eastward the new line is intended to be completely on the original grade, which can be easily followed up to the current end of track. Money is the only thing really standing in the way of finishing the rest of the planned rebuild- the Commission only needs something in the neighborhood of $30 million to finish the job... Until that happens, the part of the line from Eastgate down to Eureka sees one train a week, the "Toast of the Canyon" excursion on Saturday nights featuring wine tasting and light snacks.

Jeff Moore
Elko, NV