The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City is hosting the “Star Spangled Steam Up” on the weekend of July 4th, featuring three operating steam locomotives, including a special steam-powered guest. The four-day event, running from July 3 to July 6, will provide train rides, historic lectures by local experts, and unique photography opportunities. 

Virginia & Truckee 4-6-0 25, Carson & Tahoe Lumber & Fluming Company 2-6-0 Glenbrook, and Nevada County Narrow Gauge 2-6-0 5 will be the star attractions of the weekend. While both 25 and Glenbrook call Carson City home, locomotive 5 will be visiting from the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Museum. 

The museum will be open on July 4, 5, and 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Family activities, food trucks, and, of course, train rides will be available throughout the day. Admission tickets will cost $30 for adults, $20 for children, and kids under 3 can enter for free. A special evening program will also be held on July 3, 4, and 5, designed for serious railroad enthusiasts. Each evening will feature one of the operating steam locomotives, with a special excursion (either a mixed train with V&T 25 or double headers with the two narrow gauge 2-6-0s), along with a lecture about the history of each. Evening tickets are $45 per person, or you can attend all three nights for $120. Evening events start at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, visit carsonrailroadmuseum.org. —Justin Franz