This Scenic Train Has Dramatic River Canyon Views
"A living-history sightseeing train that has run for more than three decades along the Potomac River in West Virginia, this heritage railway offers several scenic routes through dramatic landscapes, most famously a cinematic canyon known locally as the “Trough,” a remote, roadless stretch best accessed by rail. The most popular option is the three-hour Trough Trip to Sycamore Bridge and back (with a monthly Friday Sunset Trough Trip in May–September that departs at 5 p.m.), while the All Day Petersburg is a nine-hour round-trip available May–October on the last Saturday of the month that includes time to explore Petersburg’s shops, restaurants, and depot. A shorter northbound Green Spring Special (about 1.5 hours) highlights farmland and rock cuts. Riders can choose open-air vintage cars for panoramic views—where sightings of bald eagles, slow-moving river scenes, century-old farms, and weathered barns are common—or climate-controlled vintage 1947 passenger cars. Multiple service tiers range from Standard Coach (with concessions) through Standard Dining (boxed lunch), Premium Dining (climate-controlled 1947 car with a three-course meal), and Superior Dining (a four-course meal served on Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad china in a restored lounge). Fares start roughly at $74 for the Trough and Sunset trips, $114 for the All Day Petersburg, and $49 for the Green Spring Special; reservations are available online." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
