Draft:Virginia and Truckee 11 Reno

Virginia and Truckee 11 Reno
V&T 11 Great Western Steam up 2022.
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Serial number 2816 Build date January 13, 1872 Rebuilder Tom Gray Rebuild date 2021-Ongoing
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Adhesive weight 45,000 lb (20,000 kg) Loco weight 65,000 lb (29,000 kg) Fuel type Oil Boiler pressure 130 psi (0.90 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 16 in × 24 in (410 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 11,920 lbf (53.02 kN)
Career Operators Virginia and Truckee Railroad Numbers V&T 11 UP 119 Official name Reno Nicknames Brass Betsy First run January 13, 1872 Retired 1937 Restored (Ongoing) Disposition Undergoing restoration into operating condition

Virginia and Truckee Railroad 11 Reno also known as the "Reno", is a 4-4-0 American type steam locomotive that was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in January 13, 1872 for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. The Reno was the first 4-4-0 delivered to the V&T railroad. On September 24, 1872, it pulled the first train over the Virginia & Truckee's newly completed line between the Central Pacific Railroad (the first transcontinental railroad) at Reno, Nevada and Virginia City in the Comstock Lode mining area of Nevada. On 1907 the locomotive was converted to burn oil. On 1995 the locomotive caught on fire. On August 2021 the locomotive was ready to be restored into operating condition. On July 2022 the locomotive participated at the Great Western Steam up at the Nevada State Railroad Museum with other engines. As of 2024 the locomotive is undergoing restoration into operating condition.

History

Revenue Service and First Retirement

Virginia & Truckee Railroad No. 11, Reno Nevada State RR Museum collection

Virginia and Truckee Railroad 11 Reno also known as the "Reno", is a 4-4-0 American type steam locomotive that was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1872 for the engine's early years were the most historically significant in its life, and also in the life of its owner, the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. The railroad was initially built to bring the ore from the mines around Virginia City, Nevada to the mills on the Carson River. The Reno was the first 4-4-0 delivered to the V&T railroad. The 1870s were boom times for the area and for the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. V&T #11, the “Reno,” was the railroad's first true passenger engine and the pride of the fleet. The railroad hauled passengers, ore and bullion, lumber, food, supplies and every other kind of freight. The V&T, every bit a “bonanza railroad,” purchased the finest locomotives and rolling stock available. Virginia City, with its 25,000 people, was one of the wealthiest cities in the West. On September 24, 1872, it pulled the first train over the Virginia & Truckee's newly completed line between the Central Pacific Railroad (the first transcontinental railroad) at Reno, Nevada and Virginia City in the Comstock Lode mining area of Nevada. With the extension to Reno, and as a result of the “Big Bonanza” of 1873 (the greatest silver strike in history), the busy short-line railroad was running up to 45 trains a day. In 1876, the “Lightning Express” passenger train was inaugurated between San Francisco and Virginia City, running on the Central Pacific and the Virginia & Truckee Railroads, using the “Reno”. It fittingly pulled the first train from Reno through to Virginia City along the V&T newly finished line September 1892 the Reno's primary duties on the V&T included running its main passenger service between Virginia City and Reno, the Lightning Express. An article in a newspaper describes how the Engineer of the Lighting Express, Tom Clark, shot a deer from the train near Steamboat Springs in 1877, and soon after adorned the headlight of the Reno with its antlers. In 1907, the “Reno” was converted to an oil-burner, and its diamond stack was replaced with a straight stack. It is thought that the “Reno” pulled trains transporting four United States presidents: Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, Theodore Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover, as well as numerous silver barons, other Comstock notables and the general public. By 1934, the “Reno” was no longer in regular service. It was used occasionally for specials, and in 1937, it was rented to Universal Films Corporation for movie work. The V&T is the most famous of American short lines, and it hauled millions of dollars of gold and silver from the Comstock Lode. The Reno served the V&T from 1872 all the way until it was sold to MGM in 1945, last running a standard revenue train 1937. In 1938 it was rented to Paramount Studios for use in the movie “Union Pacific.”

Under construction on August 6, 1938

It last operated on the V&T in 1943, and was sold to Loew's Inc./Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1945. As mine production declined and mills closed down, the V&T survived by hauling wheat, grain and cattle. The line into Virginia City was torn up in 1938, and by 1950, the rest of the railroad was abandoned. The Reno was the favorite locomotive of V&T crews and was affectionately nicknamed "Brass Betsy". Crews would often stay later into the night polishing the locomotive to keep it looking the best it could. In 1970 it was sold to Old Tucson Studios, where it was in numerous other filming projects, generally portraying fictitious engines on fictitious railroads.

Movie roles

Golden Spike National Historic Site

Even while still owned by the V&T the Reno starring in feature films. The Film Union Pacific from 1938 starred 4 V&T Locomotives; #11 The Reno, #18 The Dayton, #21 J.W. Bowker, #22 The Inyo. Legend has it that during the filming of this film The Reno was set on her side for a shot a little too roughly and she never drove the same afterwards. The Reno and other V&T locomotives starred in numerous films from the 1930's well into 1970's. In the 1980's The Reno was featured in the CBS TV series The Wild Wild West as well as a few more movies. In 1969, during the Centennial celebration of the Golden Spike Ceremony at Promontory Summit Utah the Reno was dressed as Union Pacific 119 while The Genoa was dressed as Jupiter since both of the original locomotives had been scrapped. AV&T Locomotives stood in as the 119 and Jupiter until replicas could be constructed The Dayton was 119 in this case, and The Inyo was The Jupiter. After the replicas were constructed The Dayton and Inyo were sold to the State Nevada and sent to the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City.

Restoration

The Reno at Old Tucson Studios

In 1970 The Reno was purchased from MGM by Old Tucson Studios in Tucson, Arizona, starring in the aforementioned Movies and shows. The Reno even went on display at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, Switzerland in 1988. On 1993 the locomotive appeared in Tombstone starring by George P. Cosmatos unfortunately at Old Tucson the engine had a big fire in 1995, and The Reno was caught in the blaze. The fire destroyed anything flammable, including the original wood on the Locomotive. She sat in a state of disrepair until 1997 when she was restored for use in the 1999 Film Wild Wild West Starring Will Smith alongside with V&T 21 J. W. Bowker. After Wild Wild West the locomotive sat in Tucson until 2021. In August of 2021 Tom Gray acquired The Reno for the revived V&T. In 2021, the “Reno” was purchased from Old Tucson by the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, which is a tourist railroad that operates on a portion of the original V&T trackage at Virginia City, Nevada. The V&T plans to restore the engine to service. The locomotive arrived in Virginia City by a truck not too long after, and it was the first time it had been in Virginia City since 1938. The Reno is planned to be restored to operation by the revived V&T. The Reno along with numerous other steam locomotives were in Carson City at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in July of 2022 for the Great Western Steam up event alongside with V&T 12 Genoa, V&T 18 Dayton, V&T 21 J. W. Bowker, V&T 22 Inyo, NCNGRR 5, The Glenbrook, Eureka (locomotive), DS&C.V.R. 1 Joe Douglass, D&R 8, A&W 1, V&T 25, SCPC Co. 2, SP 18, BM&S 1, and V&T 1 Lyon (2020 Replica). the first time all of those V&T locomotives have been together since filming the Union Pacific railroad, and the first time many of them have been in Nevada in decades. The plan for the restoration of the Reno is for it to have its own set of cars to emulate the Lightning Express train it was designed to pull, and for it to have its own Engine house near the V&T depot in Virginia City. As of 2024 the locomotive is being restored into operating condition.

Gallery

• 
  Virginia & Truckee Railroad #11, Reno. At Carson City in the mid-1870s.
• 
  The "Reno" pulling the Lightning Express over the Crown Point Trestle, at Gold Hill, Nevada, on its way to Carson City in the 1870s. The trestle was built in 1869, and last until 1936.
• 
  Virginia & Truckee Railroad #11, "Reno", with the "Lightning Express" at Virginia City.
• 
  The "Reno" in about 1913, after various modifications (e.g., a straight stack and a round headlight).

Movie Appearances

Virginia and Truckee 11 Reno has appeared in many movies.

• Courage of the West, 1937, starring Bob Baker and Louis January.
• Union Pacific, 1939, starring Joel McCrea and Barbra Stanwyck.
• The Sea of Grass, 1947, starring Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn.
• Annie Get Your Gun, 1950, starring Betty Hutton and Howard Keel.
• The Return of Jesse James, 1950, starring John Ireland and Ann Dvorak.
• The Tall Target, 1951, starring Dick Powell and Paula Raymond.
• The Last Hunt, 1956, starring Robert Taylor and Stewart Granger.
• The Brothers Karamazov, 1958, starring Yul Brynner and Maria Schell.
• The Sheepman, 1958, starring Glenn Ford and Shirley MacLaine.
• The Horse Soldiers, 1959, starring John Wayne and William Holden.
• Sergeant Rutledge, 1960, starring Jeffery Hunter and Woody Strode.
• Cimarron, 1960, starring Glenn Ford and Maria Schell.
• The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, 1962, starring James Stewart and John Wayne.
• How the West Was Won, 1962, starring George Peppard and Richard Widmark.
• Papa's Delicate Condition, 1963, starring Jackie Gleason and Glynis Johns.
• Mail Order Bride, 1964, Buddy Ebsen and Kier Dullea.
• The Reivers, 1969, starring Steve McQueen and Rupert Crosse.
• The Cheyenne Social Club, 1970, starring James Stewart and Henry Fonda.
• Support Your Local Gunfighter, 1971, starring James Garner and Chuck Connors.
• Scandalous John, 1971, starring Brian Keith and Alfonso Aru.
• Joe Kidd, 1972, starring Clint Eastwood and Robert Duvall.
• The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, 1972, starring Paul Newman and Ava Gardner.
• The Soul of Nigger Charley, 1973, starring Fred Williamson.
• The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing, 1973, starring Burt Reynolds and Sarah Miles.
• Posse, 1975, starring Kirk Douglas and Bruce Dern.
• The Last Hard Men, 1976, starring Charlton Heston and James Coburn.
• Another Man Another Chance, 1977, starring James Caan and Genevieve Bujold.
• The Villain, 1979 starring Kirk Douglas and Ann-Margret.
• Posse, 1993, starring Mario Van Peebles and Stephen Baldwin.
• Tombstone, 1993, starring Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliot, and Bill Paxton.
• Lightning Jack, 1994, starring Paul Hogan and Cuba Gooding Jr.
• Hard Bounty, 1995, starring Matt McCory and Kelly LeBrock.
• Wild Wild West, 1999, starring Will Smith and Kevin Kline.
• South of Heaven, West of Hell, 2000, starring Dwight Yoakam and Vince Vaughn.
• Ghost Rock, 2003, starring Gary Busey, Michael Worth, and Jeff Fahey.
• Ambush at Dark Canyon, 2013, starring Kim Brooks and Ernie Hudson.
• Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink, 2014, starring Jeffery Patterson.

TV appearances

Virginia and Truckee 11 Reno has also appeared in many television shows.

• Union Pacific, 1958, starring Walter Cronkite.
• The Texan, 1959, starring Jeff Morrow and Judd Pratt.
• The Americans, 1960.
• The Outlaws, 1960-1961, starring Don Collier and Slim Pickens.
• The Twilight Zone, 1962, starring Rod Sterling.
• Rawhide, 1962, starring Clint Eastwood and Eric Fleming.
• Combat, 1963, starring Rick Jason and Vic Marrow.
• The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 1964, starring Robert Vaughn and David McCallum.
• The Iron Men, 1966, starring Michael Witney and Tom Simcox.
• The Johnny Cash Show, 1971, starring Johnny Cash.
• Gunsmoke, 1971, starring James Arness and Amanda Blake.
• The God Child, 1974, starring Jack Palance and Jack Warden.
• The Young Pioneers, 1975, starring Linda Purl and Roger Kern.
• Wanted: The Sundance Woman, 1976, starring Katherine Ross and Steve Forrest.
• Little House on the Prairie, 1977-1979, starring Michael Landon and Karen Grassle.
• The Incredible Rocky Mountain Race, 1977, starring Christopher Connelly and Forrest Tucker.
• Wild and Wooly, 1978, starring and Chris DeLisle and Susan Bigelow.
• Go West Young Girl, 1978, starring Karen Valentine and Stuart Whiteman.
• The New Maverick, 1978, starring Jack Garner and Charles Frank.
• The Wild Wild West Revisited, 1979, starring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin.
• The Gambler, 1979, starring Kenny Rogers and Bruce Boxleitmer.
• More Wild Wild West, 1980, starring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin.
• High Noon, Part Two: The Return of Will Kane, 1980, starring Lee Majors and Pernell Roberts.
• Father Murphy, 1981-1982, starring Merlin Olsen and Katherine Cannon.
• Ripley's Believe It or Not: Judge Roy Bean, 1984, starring Jack Palance.
• Poker Alice, 1987, starring Elizabeth Taylor, George Hamilton, and Tom Skerritt.
• Once Upon a Texas Train, 1988, starring Willie Nelson and Richard Widmark.
• Red River, 1988, starring James Arness, Bruce Brodeitner, and Gregory Harrison.
• Webster: Wild Wild West, 1988, starring Emmanuel Lewis and Alex Karras.
• Young Riders, 1989-1992, starring Stephen Baldwin, Josh Brolin, Ty Miller.
• El Diablo, 1990, starring Anthony Edwards, Louis Gossett Jr., and John Glover.
• Gunsmoke: To the Last Man, 1992, starring James Arness, Pat Hingle, and Amy Stoch.
• Four Eyes and Six Guns, 1992, starring Judge Reinhold and Patricia Clarkson.
• Legend, 1995, starring Richard Dean Anderson and John de Lancie.
• Wild West Tech: Gang Tech, 2005, starring David Carradine.
• Into the West, 2005, starring Tyler Christopher and Christian Kane.
• American Experience: Wyatt Earp, 2010, starring Michael Murphy.
• Legends and Lies, 2015, starring Dermot Mulroney.