Scales is in American Flats about midway between the new tunnel(#2) and Gold Hill. There is a spring and the original V&T had a water tank here. Yesterday the new V&T spotted a tender at the Scales siding to use as a water supply if needed. If you go on Google Earth you should be able to follow the line and get an idea about access roads. The regular V&T train runs from VC to Gold Hill with the 4 PM run going past Gold Hill to the Overman Pit fill. This week they started running 2-8-0 29 on the short train on Monday thru Friday with 2-8-2 18 on the Carson City-VC train on Sat. & Sun. The diesel handles the short train on Sat. &. Sun. The Carson City train leaves VC at 8AM on Saturday and deadheads to Carson City. After passengers board, the train leaves at 10AM for Virginia City where there is a layover until 3PM when the train returns to Carson City. The train and locomotive tie up at CC overnight and run a roundtrip on Sunday with the same schedule as Saturday. After dropping off the passengers at CC on Sunday the train deadheads back to VC leaving at about 4:30PM.

The use of 29 on the short train is subject to change depending on ridership, locomotive maintenance, etc. Sometimes the decision is made at, literally, the last minute to substitute the diesel. As of yesterday, however, the 29 was scheduled at least through next week.

I hope this info is a help.