- The Potomac Eagle is a historic sightseeing practice that runs alongside the eponymous river in West Virginia.
- Certainly one of its most scenic routes cuts by means of a dramatic river canyon.
- The journeys are just a few hours lengthy, and passengers have the choice to experience in classic practice automobiles.
For greater than three many years, the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad has operated as a chunk of residing historical past, preserving railway scenes of the previous and providing passengers the possibility to step again in time—buying and selling interstates and inboxes for the unhurried rhythm of metal wheels on observe.
The practice departs from the city of Romney, West Virginia, inhabitants simply over 1,800, and rolls into what locals name the “Trough,” a distant, roadless stretch of river canyon finest accessed by rail. From the open-air automotive of the practice, the view is cinematic: the Potomac River strikes sluggish and fixed whereas a gentle scroll of century-old farms and rusting barns come out and in of view. When you’re fortunate, you would possibly even spot a bald eagle tracing lazy circles above the water.
There are numerous methods to expertise this heritage railway, the most well-liked being the aforementioned Trough Journey. It is a three-hour journey by means of the Trough to the Sycamore Bridge and again. On one Friday a month between Could and September there may be additionally a Sundown Trough Journey, which operates on the identical route however departs at 5 p.m. to catch the summer season sundown.
For an extended experience, hop on the All Day Petersburg, which runs from Romney to Petersburg, West Virginia, over the course of 9 hours. This prolonged journey is simply accessible from Could to October on the final Saturday of the month. Upon arrival in Petersburg, riders have time to benefit from the retailers, eating places, and depot earlier than hopping again on the practice for the return journey to Romney.
The practice additionally runs in the other way, northbound to Inexperienced Spring on a brief, 1.5-hour journey that showcases the state’s lovely farmland and rock cuts.
There are a number of courses of service on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, beginning with Normal Coach. From there, the speed will increase based mostly on what tier of eating you need to add to your journey: customary, premium, or superior.
Normal Coach tickets embrace entry to concessions, whereas the Normal Eating features a boxed lunch. The Premium Eating fare features a seat within the railway’s classic 1947 passenger automobiles (that are local weather managed) and a three-course meal. In the meantime, the very best tier, Superior Eating, features a four-course meal served on Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad china in a fantastically restored lounge that’s local weather managed.
The Trough Canyon and Sundown Trough Journey begin at $74, whereas the All Day Petersburg journey begins at $114 and the Inexperienced Spring Particular at $49. Reservations will be made at potomaceagle.com.