Hot August Nights Tour -- Virginia City Private Coach on Amtrak California Zephyr

This video, shot on Sunday, August 8, 2010, shows the Amtrak #5 westbound California Zephyr passing Quilici Ranch Road in Verdi, Nevada. On the back of the Amtrak California Zephyr is the privately owned Virginia City coach, with people waving from the rear platform. This was the return trip for the Virginia City on its Hot August Nights charter.

This coach is associated with Virginia and Truckee history because it was Lucius Beebe's second coach. His first coach, the Gold Coast, is on static display at the California State Railroad Museum.

Then, from the same vantage point, we see a Union Pacific freight with piggyback truck trailers.

Moving to "downtown" Verdi, Nevada, we see two more Union Pacific freights that just left the Reno/Sparks UP yard. There's a long stack train and a nice mixed freight with many kinds of cars on it.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• union
• pacific
• amtrak
• california
• zephyr
• virginia
• city
• truckee
• private
• coach
• lucius
• beebe
• stack
• train
• railroad
• freight
• passenger
• center
• beam
• boxcar

[renorailfan]

At 0:50 I start talking about having ridden the Virginia City coach from Colfax back home to Reno, then on Sunday I get out and railfan the return trip.

The first time you see the Virginia City Rail Car is at 1:12.

Then you get the real view at 2:35 as it passes and we watch the people on the rear platform approaching the bridge over the Truckee River at Fleish.

The rest of the video shows Union Pacific stacks and freights. Thanks for watching, please go sub the virginiacityrailcar channel.

[renorailfan]

From 1:50, "not sure the history" of Fleish, NV. My local history expert from UNR says,

contentdm.library.unr.edu/u?/h­maps,2026

FLEISH: (flish) A [hydro]power station of the Sierra Pacific Power Company

on the Truckee River, west of Verdi, pop. 15; established

1905. Named for the Fleishaker family of San Francisco, tho operated the

paper mill formerly at Floriston, in the vicinity.

[renorailfan]

Regarding the comment about people running in front of the camera, check out this video at 10:45 youtube.com/watch?v=tk22F4q4zG­U

[NarodnieMstiteli]

Gonna go out some day and cut those poles.

[renorailfan]

@NarodnieMstiteli Just call Earth First! They'll do it for you.

Actually, I think they frame the shot nicely into little windows. Often people want a clear shot. In other cases, I like it when people are in the way of my train shots because it shows interest and perspective. I tell them, "you're part of the picture."

As long as they don't run in front of my camera at the last second.

[CoastStarlight11]

There is the Virginia City Car!!!

Dang nice vid!!!!

[renorailfan]

@CoastStarlight11 Coming from a famous guy like you, that's quite a compliment!

[jordimikado]

Very nice video!!! :o)

[Lightwolf333]

Grate video and neration as well.

[NarodnieMstiteli]

@renorailfan The only poles I would favor in a shot would be those with a cap "P." Young, female and attractive. Location has always been a lower preference because of that and the unfortunate fact that the bridges can't be seen. So I'll cut the poles, build a 40' stand, and station the Poles strategicly.

[CoastStarlight11]

@renorailfan Thanks!

[CoastStarlight11]

I dig the approach shot at 0:37.

Searchlight signal is still in place at 2:25. UP is getting rid of those searchlights at random locations around the country. I also dig the "going away" shot at 2:42

Nice SD70ACE at 3:32. I could be totally wrong but that possibly looks like the westbound Z train from Chicago at 3:32.

Nice Bridge Street shot in Verdi starting at 6:46. I have been to that spot many times over the years.

Nice UP manifest train at 11:55