Virginia and Truckee Railway Motor Car 22, National Historic Landmark railcar in Carson City, United States

The Virginia and Truckee Railway Motor Car 22 is a gasoline-powered railcar at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City. Built in 1910 by the McKeen Motor Car Company, it measures 72 feet 9+3⁄4 inches long, 10 feet 2+3⁄4 inches wide and 11 feet 9+3⁄16 inches high. Its steel monocoque body has a curved roof, rounded rear and knife-edge wind-splitter front, with 33 porthole windows. The interior holds an engine compartment, a middle baggage section and a rear passenger compartment seating 84.

The railcar was built from 1909 to 1910 by the McKeen Motor Car Company and operated on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad during the height of regional rail transport. Its design represented a major technological shift away from steam power toward internal combustion engines for passenger service.

Motor Car 22 ran as a McKeen railcar until 1929, when falling profits forced the Virginia and Truckee to suspend its use. In 1932 it was converted into a railway post office and handler for the Railway Express Agency, then returned to service until retirement in 1945. The museum operates it annually on Nevada Day, Independence Day, Father's Day and National Train Day.

The railcar is displayed at the Nevada State Railroad Museum and can be viewed during special events and celebrations throughout the year. Visitors should check ahead for availability since demonstrations and rides typically happen on designated holidays and commemorative occasions.

During restoration, the original gasoline engine was replaced with a diesel engine to improve reliability and safety while keeping the exterior appearance authentic. This hidden upgrade demonstrates how museums balance historical authenticity with modern operational needs.