The C&O Historical Society is excited to share news of the launch of a new Virginia-based railroad excursion service with our members and friends.
Our colleagues at the Buckingham Branch Railroad are starting up Virginia's first regularly scheduled passenger excursion service next month, and you are invited to be among the first to be able to reserve a ticket on the Virginia Scenic Railway!
Starting August 4th, the Virginia Scenic Railway will offer twice-daily sightseeing excursions through the legendary Shenandoah Valley — complete with tabletop meal service in a beautifully modernized 1940's-era Budd passenger car.
· The Blue Ridge Flyer goes east from Staunton towards the town of Ivy. On the way, you’ll pass by Staunton and Waynesboro before ascending roughly 1,000 feet up to Afton Mountain where you’ll experience the thrill of roaring through the Blue Ridge Tunnel before turning around for a repeat run through the tunnel.
· The Alleghany Special heads west from Staunton’s historic downtown, passing through the rural landscape and working farms of western Virginia as you wind your way towards the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest before turning around in Goshen for the trip back to Staunton.
All rides are three-hour round trips, and trains depart from the Amtrak station in historic Staunton, Virginia. Excursions will be available every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Advance reservations are required (see website for online ticketing.)
Additional routes will be added in the future, as well as shorter seasonal excursions for younger train fans.
As you might imagine, demand for this new service is expected to be high so we encourage you to reserve your ticket as soon as possible.
More information, including route descriptions, social media links, online ticketing, and FAQs are available online. To stay in the loop with the Virginia Scenic Railway's latest news and special event information, sign up on the website.
