V&T Railway Commission Meeting - April 15, 2026

The Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V and T Railway met on April 15, 2026 at 1:16 PM. A quorum was present. The meeting included public comment, approval of minutes, financial reports, a contract award, marketing updates, operations report, and commissioner comments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joe Denny French, a Carson City resident, expressed appreciation for the commission's work and inquired about possible cinematic requests (film or series) involving the train. The Chair noted that preliminary budget discussions had occurred and that meeting recordings are available, and promised to address the cinematic inquiry during non-action items.
• No other public comments were made at either the opening or closing comment periods.

Discussion Items

• Minutes Approval: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the March 25, 2026 meeting as presented.
• Statement of Accounts (Payable Checks): The commission approved payable checks totaling $76,546.72 paid February 1–28, 2026. A minor discrepancy was noted: the agenda report listed January dates, but the amounts were correct. Approved unanimously.
• FY2025-2026 Budget Reports (period ending February 2026): The commission approved the adjusted budget reports. Discussion included: receipt of $250,000 interlocal support from Story County (reflected in bank balance), a $13,000 payment from Laura (photography) deposited in March, reallocation of funds between account lines, and overspending on security (including depot cameras and Polar Express costs) and special event expenses (PEX) and professional services. The budget for FY2027 had been adjusted accordingly.
• Contract with Sorin CPAs PC (FY26-C003): The commission unanimously approved a five-year contract with Sorin CPAs for annual audit services, total not to exceed $105,000, and authorized the chair to execute. Sorin’s representative noted the change from Casey Newland to Sorin CPAs, no change in scope, and a small price increase to bring rates to market.
• Marketing Updates:
  • Luma Media (Regina) reported Q1 social media metrics: Instagram 25,000 views and 800 interactions; Facebook reached 800,000 organic views on a single post; 3,000 new followers organically. Email campaigns reached over 71,000 subscribers. A spring family giveaway for Polar Express riders (63 entrants, winner selected) will award four tickets. Media days are scheduled for May 17 and 24 (both Sundays); clarification was needed on whether those are exclusive to media or also open to the public. Meta ads will launch the following week with a $400 monthly budget.
  • Melissa reported on paid media: Mother’s Day outdoor boards went up (five boards instead of four). Television and radio campaigns begin April 28, with extra impressions secured (100,000 more TV impressions and 200,000 more radio impressions by adding an extra radio week). March paid search delivered 550 clicks at a 17.14% click-through rate (above Google average) and $0.85 cost per click. $1,500 in trade with KOLO will be used in July/August to boost off-season ridership.
• Operations and Train Report (Tom):
  • Cinematic endeavors: The train was used for films “Dustland” (returning for one more day), “Nitro Circus,” and a Western by young filmmakers. The industry appreciates the availability.
  • Annual inspection of locomotive 18 is next week; boiler filling, valve lapping, hydrostatic test by FRA. The locomotive is halfway through its 15-year cycle. Repairs included welding the tender, fixing a cracked drawbar, and tube cleaning.
  • Coach work: Three of four roofs sealed with silicone membrane; Jersey Lille being painted; bathroom improvements; Mount House car received replacement globes from Nevada Southern Museum.
  • Track work: tamped and surfaced from depot to shop crossing, new ties and gravel; tunnel #4 inspected and holding; crossing upgrades at Gold Hill (LED lights) and Lineahan (spare parts sourced).
  • Rail bikes: Tom expressed dissatisfaction with current rail bikes (clutch issues, lack of reliability). He is testing a new manufacturer’s bike that has better braking and can couple for four passengers, but it requires turntables at each end. He needs infrastructure (containers, shade structure, power) at the stub track. The demand for rail bikes is high among tour operators (as noted by commissioner Dave). Tom hopes to have a bulletproof option ready, potentially for 2027.
  • The custom high-rail Kubota built by Tom was praised for its ingenuity.
• Executive Assistant Sherry Bailey: Ticket sales currently at about $29,000, on par with last year. Planning for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day weekends is underway. Next meeting scheduled for May 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM.
• Commissioner Comments:
  • Update on “spikes” art project: Three 12-foot spikes (art pieces) are being fabricated through a Travel Nevada grant (backed by EDA). One will be placed at Tom’s location, one at the Carson City depot, and one at the mill in Minden. A future agenda item may be needed to formally accept the artwork. Placement at the depot requires coordination with Leah and Stephanie.
  • An interest‑bearing account for the commission is progressing slowly (Moritan was acquired, same team). Administrative steps remain before setup.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All action items passed unanimously:
  1. Approval of minutes from March 25, 2026 (motion by Vice Chair, seconded, voice vote).
  2. Approval of payable checks for February 2026 (motion and second, voice vote).
  3. Approval of adjusted budget reports for FY2025-2026 ending February 2026 (motion and second, voice vote).
  4. Approval of contract FY26-C003 with Sorin CPAs PC for 5‑year audit services, $105,000 total, with authorization for chair to execute (motion and second, voice vote).
• Next Meeting: Anticipated on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM.
• Directives: Marketing team to finalize media day details and spring giveaway confirmation; Tom to continue rail bike testing and coordinate with commissioners on infrastructure; commissioners to coordinate spike placement at depot.