By Railfan & Railroad Staff

CARSON CITY, Nev. — There’s less than a month before a dozen steam locomotives — many of them under steam — will gather at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, for the first-ever “Great Western Steam Up.” The event will most notably feature the largest gathering of Virginia & Truckee locomotives in 75 years and 2022 marks the 150th anniversary of the completion of that iconic short line railroad. 

The Nevada State Railroad Museum has worked with a number of other non-profits to bring in steam locomotives of various sizes and gauges for the event, which will run from July 1 to 4. 

“We wanted it to be a kinetic experience, so everything there is operating. It’s not a typical museum experience where everything is what we call ‘stuffed and mounted.’ A lot of this is working artifacts, so you can hear it, smell it, taste it and feel it,” said Todd Moore, president of the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum, the event’s primary sponsor.

Included in the lineup of operating locomotives are Southern Pacific 4-6-0 18, Eureka & Palisade 4-4-0 4, Santa Cruz Portland Cement 0-4-0 2, Bluestone Mining & Smelting Heisler 1, Nevada County Narrow Gauge 2-6-0 5, Carson & Tahoe 2-6-0 “Glenbrook,” V&T 4-4-0 22, V&T 4-6-0 25, and Cortez Mining Co. 0-4-0T 1. Other non-operating locomotives will be on display at the site. 

Event tickets are on sale now. Proceeds will benefit the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City. Event information, schedules, ticket sales and more are available at greatwesternsteamup.com.