Steamscape - Hayward's Siding. V&T #29 claws her way past the south switch at Hayward's Siding, with a short freight bound for Gold Hill and Virginia City. Historically, Hayward's Siding was an 875 ft long passing siding, which enabled north and southbound trains to pass each other on what was otherwise a single-track line from Carson City up to Virginia City. The siding was included when the Virginia City Branch was relaid in the late 2000s, and is just out of view on the left side of the photo.
This image gives you just a taste of what the scenery looks like on the reconstructed V&T. In this photographer's opinion, this railroad has some of the best scenery of any tourist railroad in the lower 48.....right up there with the Colorado Narrow Gauge. It is different, but every bit as beautiful. The climb from Carson City features a continuous 2.2% grade, that winds and twists through the mountains west of Silver City. There are enough degrees of curve in this line to make 17 complete circles, earning it the title of the "Crookedest Shortline in America." Along the way, there are amazing mountain vistas like this one, the ruins of long-defunct gold and silver mines, as well as newer operatinal mines. There are even a couple of tunnels. Have your camera ready, because there's a good chance you might see a herd of wild mustangs as you ride up to Virginia City.
