I just got off the phone with the owner of the Virginia City about the Friday PV event on #6 to Sparks. There will be four PVs on the train: Silver Lariat, Pony Express, Los Angeles (these three are on a special LA - Sparks - LA charter) with the Virginia City now added to the rear.The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Board (CCJPB) put this on at the last minute as an inspection trip to look at new service (!!) and, as they're the "big wheels" here they requested - and got - end of train placement. The owner of the Virginia City tried to have CCJPB delay this, but they were adamant about this weekend and that was that. (Speculate as to WHY this is happening!)
Amtrak's Special Movements desk was unaware of the CCJPB trip until last Tuesday They are VERY aware of the Trainorders party and are basically helpless to do anything as the powers that be put this event in place. (And they run the railroad, so...)
Virginia City Rail Corp is sincerely apologetic as they can be but, as PV charters are their business, they can't pass this up. They wish to tell all that read Trainorders that they wish this hadn't happened but what is, is.
On a personal note: I work with these people and believe they're one of the finest PV outfits in the business. ANYBODY knocking them for this is basically blowing smoke and is completey uninformed (or maliciously stupid; take your pick). As to the trip itself, the Virginia City will be coming back on Saturday so the return trip on Sunday will not be impacted.
David Jansson
Sierra Pacific Rail, Inc.