Virtual Museum Tour: Railroad Museum by Gina Riggi,Outpost staff In this package Nevada State Museum UNR Anthropology Department Research Museum On the Web Division of Museums and History Carson City is not where you'd expect to find Hollywood stars. But some of the biggest stars in the movies have gone there to retire. Take for example Inyo, a single-name celebrity in the vein of Sting, Cher and Madonna. But put away your autograph book; this star's a bit to stiff in old age. She's found in the Nevada State Railroad Museum, one of the many old working locomotives and cars of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad as well as other American railroads. The Virginia & Truckee was the railroad that served Reno, Carson City and Virginia City from 1869 to 1950. During the latter years, Hollywood studios came to Nevada to purchase locomotives and cars for movies and television shows. The Inyo, featured in movies such as "Union Pacific" and television shows like "Little House in the Prairie," was one of these Hollywood stars. Click on this photo to view a virtual tour of the railroad museum. Photo by Gina Riggi "The Inyo is our queen, our No. 1, our pride and joy!" gushes John Frink, the museum's program coordinator. In addition to the Inyo. the museum collection has 65 locomotives and cars. More than 40 pieces of equipment on display were built before 1900. The museum's collection includes the Central Pacific director's car used to carry the governor of California to Utah for the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. It is the museum's oldest piece in the collection, built in 1868. Other railroad memorabilia is displayed at the museum. Railroad promotional art from the 1920s to the 1950s is the current exhibit. These posters show the style of design and use of color prominent during that period. Richard Reitnauer, the museum's sales and promotions manager, said the equipment itself is most popular with patrons. He said the museum receives 60,000 visitors annually. Nevada State Railroad Museum 2180 S. Carson St. Carson City, Nev. 89710 Click here for map to the museum. Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., daily Admission: Adults: $2, Under 18: free For more information, call (775) 687-6953 Click here for map of the museum. In addition to standing exhibits, the museum offers special events. For example, every year Santa comes and hands out candy canes to good little girls and boys as part of the Santa Train. Admission is free, and employees fill a steam engine to the rim with patrons and give rides around the train yard. This year's event will be held Dec. 12 and 13. Admission to the museum is also free during this event. Last year this event drew some 4,500 riders. The museum is part of Nevada Department of Museums, Library and Arts. It's mission statement reads: "The Nevada State Railroad Museum is a cultural resource dedicated to educating visitors and the community about Nevada railroad history. This mission is accomplished through the collection, preservation and interpretation of significant locomotives, rolling stock, artifacts, photographs and memorabilia directly related to railroads and railroading in Nevada. In addition to static exhibits, select pieces of equipment in the collection are restored and operated throughout the year to demonstrate steam and early gasoline technology and provide visitors first had experience with railroad history through the sights, sounds and sensations of a train ride."       Posted Dec. 1998 Copyright 1998 Nevada Outpost Outpost | Metro | Lifestyle | Travel | Dining | Outdoors Specials | Links | About us | Mail us