Star Spangled Steam Up

Join the Carson City Railroad Museum for a multi-day celebration of railroad fun, featuring a visiting locomotives. Bring the whole family for train rides, games, food, and summer sunshine—or if you’re a true train buff, enjoy an evening ride, lecture, and exclusive photo op! 2025 Schedule | 2026 Schedule Coming Soon!  Daytime Events Friday, July 4 – Sunday, July 6 | 9am–4pm Kick off July 4th weekend with train rides and fun for all ages! 9am–4pm: Enjoy games and activities for the whole family. 9am–4:30pm: Tour the Museum’s Jacobsen Interpretive Center and Annex to learn about Northern Nevada’s vibrant railroading history. 10am–3pm: Grab a bite from a variety of local food trucks. 10am–4pm: Hop aboard three historic steam trains! Locomotive No. 25, Glenbrook, and Tahoe (visiting from the Nevada County Gauge Museum). Evening Events Thursday, July 3 – Saturday, July 5 | 5:30–8:30pm This one’s for the train enthusiasts. Each night features a different locomotive, a lecture by experts, and exclusive photo opportunities. Thursday, July 3: An Evening with V&T Locomotive No. 25 Mixed freight train ride behind Locomotive No. 25 Lecture by Stephen E. Drew, historian and author: Take a deep dive into the history of Virginia and Truckee Locomotive No. 25—from its 1905 Baldwin build and V&T service days to its Hollywood film career and return to Nevada. Friday, July 4: An Evening with Glenbrook Double-header train ride behind Glenbrook (lead) and Tahoe Lecture by Chris De Witt, Restoration Supervisor, Nevada State Railroad Museum, Carson City: Learn the remarkable story behind the 34-year restoration of the 1875 Glenbrook locomotive. De Witt participated in the restoration process from the project’s inception in 1981 to its completion in 2015. Saturday, July 5: An Evening with Guest Locomotive Tahoe (Nevada County Narrow Gauge No. 5) Double-header train ride behind Tahoe (lead) and Glenbrook Lecture by John Christensen, Director, and Dan Lloyd, Chief Mechanical Officer, Nevada County Narrow Gauge Museum: A behind-the-scenes look at the revival of Tahoe and its triumphant return to service after a decades-long retirement.   For lodging options and great local food and drink, check out the Stay in Carson City and Food & Drink pages at Visit Carson City.