V & T Steam Locomotive at the F Street Depot in Virginia City

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad was built to haul gold and silver ore from Virginia City's Comstock mines to the Carson City mills for processing. The original 21 miles was completed in 1870. Over the years, rails were extended south to Minden and north to Reno. After nearly 80 years of hauling ore, supplies, and passengers, the "Queen of the Short Lines" ceased operations in 1950, a victim of paved highways and automobiles.