Mills Park Train starts Saturday

Carson City's longest rail line will be offering free rides on Saturday. The Carson & Mills Park Railroad, which boasts 1.3 miles of old Virginia & Truckee track, will run again this week.

First started July 4, 1981, the 24-inch gauge rail line is entering its 21st season running children and passengers around Mills Park.

David Eppling, one of four certified engineers, said the Spirit of the Old West gunfighters and Nevada Operation Lifesaver will be on hand Saturday.

The train, which normally costs $1.50 to ride for people over the age of 2, runs on weekends until Memorial Day, when it will start the summer schedule through Labor Day.

The train operates 11a.m. until 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday during the summer.

This is Eppling's second season as one of the train's four certified engineers. All four take turns operating the gasoline-powered train which runs every half-hour. The present train has been in operation since 1996.

"It behaves like a real train," he said. "You have to know the speed and stopping distance. It resembles a switch engine."

Besides the park train there is also an HO scale train with 300 feet of main track inside the Carson & Mills Park station

The scale model of the Nevada Pacific Train has operated inside the station for nine years.

Both trains are operated by the Carson City Railroad Association. The group meets every month at 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday.

For more information about the Carson & Mills Park Railroad visit the Association's Web site at www.trainweb.org/ccra/ or call 887-2523 and leave a message.

If you go:

What: Mills Park Train

When: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday

Cost: Free Saturday, otherwise $1.50 children under 2 free