For me, this past weekend was in a world far removed from wings, flags, DPU's,GEVO's, SD70's and 90's. A right of way that had not seen a train since Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in office, Hitler was in power, and Frank Sinatra was waiting tables in New Jersey. The Virginia & Truckee from Mound House to Gold Hill was returning to service. 2-8-0 #29 (originally a Long Bell locomotive) departed a place now known as Eastgate, located just South of the newly installed bridge over U.S. Highway 50, and headed to Virginia City. On the North side of Mound House it would rejoin the original V&T right of way.

The two steel coaches were full as the train had sold out. Railfans, including myself, were to be found all along the right of way including the somewhat desolate American Flat, site of an abandoned cement plant dating to WWI. A stop would be made at Scales for water, taken from the tender of Bob Gray's ex-SP 0-6-0 which will serve that purpose for the time being. After circling American Flat the train would arrive at Gold Hill, the long time Southern terminal of Bob Gray's operation, make a short stop, then head into Virginia City.

Of all the abandoned rights of way I have driven in the West, this is the only one which has returned to service and I had finally photographed a train in Mound House and American Flat.

Here are some of the photos from this weekend which will not include the stuck pick up at Yuba Gap, my battered and bloody right leg injured in a fall at Scales, or my pick-up with a flat tire 200 yards from Moonlight Bunny Ranch late Sunday afternoon. No, they don't serve rabbit stew. As there is not a lot of color in the surrounding countryside (except Moonlight's red sign), I have converted several to black & white which seems appropriate as I don't think there are many, if any, color photos from the time prior to abandonment at least none that I have seen.

Ready to leave Eastgate



Also Eastgate



On the new right of way after crossing over Highway 50



At this point, they rejoin the original right of way. The road to the left is Red Rock Road and is the former right of way.



On the original right of way



Climbing out of the Carson Valley








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