The V&T Railway won't be running trains out of the East Gate Depot in Carson City this summer. But, they've come up with a COVID-compliant alternative. It's something called a railbike, a four-person cycle fitted for the tracks. They're offering tours through the Carson Canyon starting on Saturday.

"Our track skims around the upper portion of the canyon so you're not down in the canyon, you're on the rim of the canyon," said Elaine Barkdull-Spencer, V&T General Manager. "Then we bring you back here and take you over and cross the V&T Railway bridge, and everybody can wave to the cars down below. Then we turn you around at a historical site and bring you back to the depot."

It's a socially-distanced alternative to the railway's enclosed passenger cars, through a partnership with Freedom Rail, a company out of Utica, New York.

"I think this is a wonderful outdoor recreational opportunity where people can be socially distanced, they're outside, and they're learning about the history and culture of Carson City," said David Peterson, Executive Director of Visit Carson City. "Which I think is just a wonderful cherry on the top, I guess, to the outdoor experiences that you can have here."

The bikes have motors, so you have the option to pedal or not, and are designed for all ages and abilities. They're spaced about 30 yards apart on the tour.

"The fun part of this tour is that, because our canyon is so curved, you can see other bikes heading down the canyon from any direction you're looking," Barkdull-Spencer said. "Because they may be down one corner, you're coming around another, and you spy them. Most people have not seen the Carson River Canyon, it's not car-friendly, and this, on our tracks, it's only trains. So you're basically a train, a people-train!"

It's a chance to see a different side of the capital city.

"Get out, visit Carson City and come ride the railbike," Peterson said. "I think people don't realize what a cool city our capital is, what a fun time we can have here with all and the amazing outdoor recreation, the parks, museums, and culture, so come out and enjoy."

Want to go for a ride? Click here for additional details. 

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