In the highlands of West Virginia, there’s
a spiderweb of scenic rail lines used to
haul passengers to some of West Virginia’s
most remote and picturesque locations.
Once used to haul timber and coal off
the Appalachians and into small rural
towns, these rail lines have been preserved
for a new purpose: entertaining tens of
thousands of visitors each year.
The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad,
a company founded in 1997, and its
portfolio of West Virginia MountainRail
Adventures, offer train rides from three
historic depots in West Virginia - Elkins,
Cass, and Durbin. While relatively close in
distance, the three depots offer a variety of
train rides ranging from 2-hour day trips
to overnight destinations, wine trains,
and special holiday venues. Seasonal
train rides, which typically operate April
through December, afford visitors the
chance to explore many of West Virginia’s
hidden treasures by rail.
From Elkins, passengers can travel to High
Falls waterfall on the New Tygart Flyer
or tour the entire rail line on a 128-mile
journey on board the Cheat Mountain
Salamander. Both Elkins trips include a
buffet style lunch for every passenger at
no additional cost. If you’re looking for an
added bonus, plan your trip in coordination
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with one of our seasonal events such as the
Ramps & Rails Festival, an Easter-themed
Cottontail Express, Bluegrass specials, or
something festive like the Polar Express!
And the fun doesn’t end even as the trains
stop running. In Elkins, our MountainRail
packages partner with other local
attractions for theatre, dining and lodging
partnerships for a true weekend getaway.
“It’s more than just a train ride. It’s about
creating lifelong memories with your
kids, your friends, and family by truly
experiencing West Virginia and this
beautiful part of the state,” says Chase
Gunnoe, business development manager at
the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad.
“From local and unique restaurants to at
least two different theatre productions and
local hotels, Elkins is about more than just
a train ride - it’s about exploring and being
a part of West Virginia’s unique mountain
heritage for a weekend,” adds Gunnoe.
/mountainrail.com