Nostalgia, Food, & Scenery Await Train Passengers
Railroad history comes alive on the Virginia Scenic Railway, offering a memorable journey through some of central Virginia’s most scenic landscapes. Departing from the historic Amtrak station in Staunton, this railway features two excursions: the Alleghany Special and the Blue Ridge Flyer.
The Alleghany Special travels westward through the Shenandoah Valley, passing through pastoral landscapes, working farms, and rural mountain vistas on the way to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Meanwhile, the Blue Ridge Flyer heads east, featuring thrilling turns around rock cut-outs, mountain views and an exciting ride through the “new” Blue Ridge Tunnel.
Virginia Scenic Railway was launched in August 2022 after the Commonwealth of Virginia purchased the rail line from CSX. That acquisition lifted a restriction limiting the railroad to freight operations, allowing it to begin offering excursion services. “We were excited to finally have opportunity to share the railroad’s beautiful route through the countryside and national forests with the public,” says Steve Powell, president of the Buckingham Branch Railroad, which owns and operates the Virginia Scenic Railway. “This is a modern, sophisticated, and active rail experience that shows passengers that the railway is an integral part of Virginia’s transportation infrastructure, not just a quaint tourist attraction. Above all, these are enjoyable, high-quality excursions where passengers are well-cared for and treated as valued guests.”
While onboard the only regularly scheduled tourist train in Virginia, passengers enjoy tabletop meal service in beautifully restored vintage cars, reminiscent of the elegance that defined mid 20th-century rail travel. Unlike many other train excursions, the railway runs on an active freight rail line, allowing passengers to see modern freight and Amtrak trains in addition to enjoying the scenic route. The train cars are refurbished mid-20th century Budd cars that seamlessly blend nostalgia with modern amenities.
Passengers also have an opportunity to take in significantly more sights. “Compared with some other tourist trains that go about 10 miles an hour, we run our train between 25 and 30 miles an hour because it feels like you’re making progress, but you still have time to see and enjoy the scenery,” Powell says. “Our focus is on providing a unique dining and sightseeing experience for families and groups of friends, rather than catering exclusively to train enthusiasts. We also hope that our passengers will see these beautiful views and that they’ll then want to explore more in these areas of Virginia.”
The Rides
During both trips offered by the Virginia Scenic Railway, passengers enjoy a meal, a dessert selection, and beverages served in complimentary souvenir glasses. Wine and beer are also available. “Think of this as a lunch or dinner experience with friends or family that just so happens to be on a historic train with great views,” says Steve Powell.
The Alleghany Special
The Alleghany Special showcases the charm and beauty of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley as the train travels westward from Staunton, through the rolling farmland of the Shenandoah Valley, and into the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountains, the Shenandoah Valley is a treasure trove of historic and natural resources. This journey winds its way through the region’s rural landscapes, featuring working farms with cattle, horses, and sheep. Breathtaking views of the Alleghany Mountains make the trip a photographer’s paradise. The train’s turnaround point is the quaint town of Goshen in Rockbridge County.
This three-hour round-trip includes lunch and departs at 10:30 am on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Riding in Style
The gleaming stainless steel Budd train cars, icons of mid-20th-century American rail travel, debuted in the 1930s. Manufactured by the Budd Company, these streamlined cars, with their fluted exteriors and polished surfaces, became the standard for passenger trains nationwide. Major railroads like Santa Fe and Pennsylvania Railroad embraced these Budd “silverliners” for their durable and efficient design.
Virginia Historic Railways has also embraced the Budd train cars. Its two passenger cars—the Arvonia and the Augusta—are fully modernized, climate-controlled cars originally built in the late 1940s by the Budd Company. The railway is expanding its capacity by refurbishing three more Budd passenger cars at Buckingham Branch Railroad’s headquarters in Dillwyn. There are also plans to further expand the railway’s offerings, including adding coach cars to provide a more affordable ticket option, exploring new route possibilities, and developing dedicated boarding and parking facilities to enhance the passenger experience.
SANTA’S Scenic Railway
During the holiday season, Santa Claus takes over the Virginia Scenic Railway. Festive holiday rides begin on November 25 and run through December 22 on every day of the week except Monday. Adorned with festive decorations and filled with holiday cheer, this seasonal ride serves up a cozy hot beverage, a sweet treat, and of course, a special appearance from Santa himself. Children and families can visit with St. Nick, and parents are welcome to capture the moment with their own cameras during the 50-minute train ride.
All rides require reservations.
For more information and online booking, visit virginiascenicrailway.com.
Blue Ridge Flyer
The Blue Ridge Flyer heads eastward, where passengers can see the communities of Staunton, Fishersville, and Waynesboro from the railway. From there, anticipation builds as the train ascends roughly 1,000 feet up to the entrance of the Blue Ridge Tunnel. Passengers experience the thrill of traveling through a tunnel carved out of rock hundreds of feet below the mountaintop above. This tunnel replaced the original tunnel in 1948, located just a stone’s throw away (see related story, page 44).
From Afton, memorable views await around every rock-cut bend. The train turns around in Ivy for the return journey and makes a second pass through the darkness of the Blue Ridge Tunnel.
This three-hour round trip includes dinner and departs at 3:30 pm every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.