Those days are long gone, but the antique shay locomotives remain, this time hauling passengers up cheat mountain to the 4,842foot high overlook at bald knob, where on a clear day you can see into two states. Trips to cass scenic railroad state park are filled with rich. According to larry goolsbys book, atlantic coast line passenger service. Bring bug spray and sunscreen for the top, but they arent needed for the train ride itself. North carolina transportation museum spencer, north carolina 611 leads short train rides around the museum grounds. Jul 31, 2020 the steam engines of cass scenic railroad state park once hauled lumber off the mountain to the mill in cass.
Murder mystery excursions operating out of huntington, wv can be found on the cass scenic railroad. Amtrak holds special promotions for discounted fares tofrom virginia. Sit back, relax and enjoy the rollicking of the railroad as it steams up a mountain or chugs across a bridge. Feb 09, 2021 saturday my wife and i took the train ride in one of the bubble cars pulled by the j611 steam engine. I got so many good pictures and saw so many cool things. Departing from the small town of cass, west virginia, the shay locomotive takes a journey through the cass scenic railroad. Departing from carson citys eastgate depot, the 24mile roundtrip tour includes a fun 3.
Now that the little reminder of days gone by has reached the stage at which she can run, most builders will be anxious to reap some of the reward that sweetens labour. You can still ride in the grand canyon railways historical cars pulled. The 8 most scenic train rides in america weve gathered the best scenic train rides in the u. Fans of thomas the train and the little engine that could will love peeping the fall colors as they shout choo choo to the clickety clack of the.
Steam train rides steam train vacations vacations by rail. Join us on this holiday season train ride for kids that is complete with warm cocoa, christmas. All trains will be socially distanced, filled with reduced capacity, and all. Believe it or not, this is an accurate description of chesapeake and ohio engine no. Nov 29, 2017 take a ride on the cass scenic railroad on a restored steam engine train. Or take a combination excursion that includes a ride on the essex steam train and a riverboat trip on the becky thatcher. Virginia freight shipping options buckingham branch railroad.
The only 24 inch track gauge on our list but one of three railroads that still utilize a show element with actors. Explore almost heaven in a whole new way during a scenic train ride. However, several museums do a fantastic job highlighting its history. Travel on steam engine trains, 1920s era cars and vintage wooden cabooses to take in the mountains and valleys of our neighboring state. Train rides and the railway system as a whole mark an important significance to the history of virginia. Steam engine, west virginia train, train rides, locomotive. Excursion train rides are available at both locations, but steam locomotives only run in carson city.
A ride on the cass scenic railroad is a thrilling experience for young and old who may never have seen a steam locomotive. Locomotive 3801 was officially relaunched at sydneys central station on friday 12 march 2021 by her excellency, the honourable margaret beazley ac qc, governor of nsw. The new river flyer train excursions offer a dramatic trip across a mountain pass to the high falls of the cheat river. Despite its rich heritage there are few virginia scenic train rides available today as only the buckingham branch railroad offers public excursions.
The train ride itself and the view from bald knob are phenomenal. We spent the morning going from roanoke to lynchburg and back. Watch mechanics working their magic on a climax engine in an operating train maintenance shop, sing railroad songs and dine while your ride aboard the vintage passenger coaches of the early 1900s. Take a trip back to an era when steam driven locomotives were an essential part of everyday life. Visitors are asked to book their tickets online in advance, wear face mask. The virginia blue ridge railway was a fascinating operation with an interesting, if somewhat chaotic, history that began during the height of the logging railroad industry. The guide here pertains only to virginia scenic train rides and museums related to vacation and tourism. Great smoky mountains railroad scenic train romantic asheville. Virginia museum of transportation roanoke, virginia 611 fired up for cab tours, whistle blow, and photo sessions. Aug 29, 2016 scenic train rides in the mountain state include the cheat mountain salamander, the durbin rocket, featuring a 1910 climax steam locomotive, and the new tygart flyer. All aboard the norfolk southern express virginia zoo in norfolk.
Until 2000, tangshan was the last place in the world that made production steam engines. Getting aboard will transport you back in time to an era when steam driven locomotives were a part of everyday life. Four coaches can accommodate more than 80 passengers adults and children. Scenic train rides in virginia include the bay creek railway weekend dinner train and the james river rambler, run by the old dominion chapter of the nhrs.
Cass scenic railroad state park 2021 all you need to know. Both are filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation as they approach the old cass depot to get tickets from the agent for this onceinalifetime adventure. Aug 20, 2009 ride a steam locomotive to nevada city, montana. Recently took a ride on the cass scenic railroad in west virginia. The locomotive resembles trains from an era long ago.
Apr 15, 2016 cass scenic railroad is nestled in the mountains of wild and wonderful west virginia. If you are a train junky i would just stop by and take a look at the train between its 10am and 2. Even at the present time, the city still encourages people to take train rides while travelling and learn more about the history of the city through museums. Jun 21, 2017 in waynesboro, train enthusiasts will find the augusta county railroad museum and its four scales of layout three operated by members and one operated by young visitors. Step back in time to ride the hocking valley spring express with old no. It leaves at 11am, goes about 46 miles round trip, and has a layover at the high falls of the cheat river. All aboard the norfolk southern express virginia zoo. Steam and electric locomotives of the pennsylvania railroad, 19001957 by alvin r. Today, the railroads vintage 1920s steam trains run along a 45mile stretch along. The train is ada compliant and can accommodate wheelchairs. Steam engine tours at the museum west virginia state. The locomotive will now travel to a variety of destinations across nsw in 2021. Cass scenic railroad state park 2021 all you need to.
Travel on steam engine trains, 1920s era cars and vintage wooden cabooses to take in the. The 10 most fun heritage railways in america frommers. If you are interested in intercitylong distance rail travel, or commuter services like virginia railway express please visit their respective websites. The virginia southern division encompasses 59 miles between. Western maryland scenic railroad train rides in cumberland, md. Learn more about railroad history with this selection of books available in the museum store. Steam engine train rides in virginia and west virginia.
Whether its a ride on our impressive steam engine train or our famous polar express. Mollie came about in january 1907 when the american locomotive company of richmond, virginia completed its construction for the norfolk and western railway, assigning it the number 433. Vintage train travel in west virginia road scholar. The buckingham division consists of 17 miles between bremo, va and dillwyn, va. All are popular in the spring and fall but consider riding the rails during the holidays, when many railroads offer special themed rides the whole family will enjoy. Durbin and greenbrier valley railroad, heisler steam. Recall a bygone era of travel with steam train holidays. Starbrick bbq and brew express hocking valley scenic railway. Seniors, military personnel and families, and narp members save 10 percent on most train routes. Buckingham branch railroad offers seasonal excursions to tourists. Touring the west fred harvey co and the santa fe railway. Steam engine viewing west virginia state parks west. The polar express train ride great smoky mountains. You will travel on a historic train between nelsonville and east logan.
Ferry move from roanoke, va to spencer, nc 220 miles via lynchburg, va september 1011. In the mountains of west virginia, steamdriven shay locomoti. This tourist railroad is located in the secret valley, which. Amtrak holds special promotions for discounted fares tofrom virginia stations occasionally.
According to larry goolsbys book, atlantic coast line passenger servic. Also on display are many road vehicles along with a circus model train exhibit. In centuryold durbin, the durbin rocket excursion train is powered by the unique heisler no. A ride into yesterday a ride on the cass scenic railroad is a thrilling experience for young and old who may never have seen a steam locomotive.
Today, two of the steam locomotives of the fabled virginia blue ridge railway vbr survive at the whippany railway museum in northern new jersey, while a third one is preserved in south jersey. Book a sleeping car and enjoy the thrilling curves and switchbacks that lead. Departing the durbin depot april through december, you can ride in authentic 1920era coaches and vintage wooden cabooses behind heisler no. Train rides in indiana 8 train trips indianapolis families love. The train had 20 or more cars and was pulled by a 1950 vintage j611 steam locomotive. Aug 29, 2016 find your perfect train ride in virginia today. Steam engine tours at the museum west virginia state parks. These 4 train rides will leave you speechless west virginia.
Small groups of 10 or fewer at a time are observed. The polar express merchandise to your reservation whether. From holiday themed train rides with mountain rail adventures, tree lightings and. Visit over 250 montana towns at the website for people homesick for montana. Located in the hills to the east of carson city, nevada, the virginia and truckee railroad takes visitors along a historic rail route that was once used to t. Western maryland scenic railroad has been providing excursions of all kinds for over 30 years in the heart of mountain maryland.
In addition to train rides, the carson city museum offers a variety of activities, events, and exhibits. We decided on the shorter ride from cass depot to whittaker station, about 4. Feb 25, 2021 take a leisurely and humorous 20minute steam train ride through the beautiful ozark countryside surrounding silver dollar city on the frisco silver dollar line steam train. Climb aboard a 100yearold steam engine for an adventure the whole family can enjoy. Wild west day trip from lake tahoe with train ride 2021 viator. To learn more, email email protected reserve lodging online. Theres also a dinner train excursion and special outings featuring chocolate and wine, beer and brats, whiskey and. Its all aboard again for these scenic train rides after closing for coronavirus. Sit back and relax while taking in some of the most beautiful views from.
Cass steam engine train ride whittake trip, west virginia a beautiful two hours trip, over 8 miles of track, climbing the cheat mountain, powered by a shay steam engine, heaven. The crewe railroad museum offers outdoor excitement with a diesel engine, caboose and steam engine. Roanoke is home to two excellent museums the capture the true history of the states railroading heritage, through pictures as well as large inventory of the legendary norfolk and western rail equipment at the virginia museum of transportation. The car was a beautifully restored former california zephyr car circa 1947. The last train left the comstock 80 years ago, but you can still experience what it was like to ride along this historic railroad. This relaxing, allday train excursion is fully narrated with historical facts and anecdotes.
Its all aboard for scenic train rides after coronavirus closures. Between train rides, enjoy performances of train songs and traditional appalachian music. From vintage diesel to steam locomotives, our trains will transport your group through the scenic mountains of west virginia in comfort and style. Aug 05, 2020 enjoy the unspoiled scenery in the connecticut river valley on a train pulled by an authentic steam engine. Fine dinning is offered on the mountain explorer dinner train which runs on weekends out of the elkins depot. Th blue ridge as the vbr was known by the locals, was a unique shortline railroad nestled deep in the rolling hills of its namesake mountain range. With four divisions and 280 miles of track the buckingham branch is the largest short line railroad in virginia.
Located beside the museum in the park at chief logan state park, meet naturalist lauren cole at 4. If your kiddo loves trains, theres no doubt that theyve tuned in. Sep 03, 2018 the rails of west virginia are open for adventure with a dozen train ride options on the durbin and greenbriar valley railroad. Riders board the train at the beazley foundation station located near the entry plaza. Cass scenic railroad is nestled in the mountains of wild and wonderful west virginia. Jan 23, 2020 the steam driven cass scenic railroad takes passengers through the mountains of west virginia on revamped flat cars that hauled lumber to the cass mill more than a century ago. The second train we took was the new tygart flyer lunch train out of elkins. Riding up in the cab with the engineer has age and clothing requirements discussed here these option often sellout in advance, and are not available on every trip, so we suggest you book them early using the calendar below, on this page. Winston links dramatic black and white steam photography of the 1950s. Scenic train rides in virginia scenic rail excursions. Travel oldschool with a train ride near northern virginia.
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