Mills Park train starts up Saturday

All aboard! Saturday will be the first day of operation of the Mills Park train for the summer season. All train rides -- regularly $1.50 per person -- will be free.

"We're not going to have barbecue, but we will have gunfighters," said Shaun Cox, vice president of the Carson City Railroad Association, which runs the small Mills Park train. He is also the superintendent of the train itself.

"We'll have four groups of gunfighters. They'll be robbing the train all day long. It's going to be a pretty exciting weekend."

The Mills Park train runs on a 2-foot-wide track for about a mile and half, according to Cox. He said rides last about 12 minutes.

Saturday's opener will include other fun as well, such as a simulation of a real diesel locomotive, the 20- by 30-foot indoor model railroad and food and beverages.

The model mockup has more than 600 feet of rail and two towns. It has both HO and HOn3 scale model railroads. Many members of the Carson City Railroad Association have helped with construction over the years, said the group's treasurer Billie Kramarenko.

She described some of the treats for sale at the snack bar. "We'll have soda, popcorn, hot dogs, chips and candy." Sweets will include M&M's, 3 Musketeers, Butterfingers and Red Vine Super Ropes. Cold goodies to ward off summer heat in the park will include Otter Pops, ice cream sandwiches and three types of sundae cones.

As a fund-raiser for the association coupon books are being sold offering deals like $5 off dinner for two at Mr. Poor's Roadhouse and $2.75 off a meal at Nik-N-Willies Pizza restaurants.

The first train ride will be at 11 a.m. and runs will be made until about 5 p.m. The railroad will start with weekend-only operations. On June 7, it will begin running Tuesday through Sunday.

IF YOU GO

What: Mills Park train

When: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: Mills Park, station is easily accessed by using Saliman Road entrance

Call: 887-2523