This Scenic Train Has Dramatic River Canyon Views

For more than three decades, the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad has operated as a piece of living history, preserving railway scenes of the past and offering passengers the chance to step back in time—trading interstates and inboxes for the unhurried rhythm of steel wheels on track. 

The train departs from the town of Romney, West Virginia, population just over 1,800, and rolls into what locals call the “Trough,” a remote, roadless stretch of river canyon best accessed by rail. From the open-air car of the train, the view is cinematic: the Potomac River moves slow and constant while a steady scroll of century-old farms and rusting barns come in and out of view. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a bald eagle tracing lazy circles above the water.

There are many ways to experience this heritage railway, the most popular being the aforementioned Trough Trip. It's a three-hour journey through the Trough to the Sycamore Bridge and back. On one Friday a month between May and September there is also a Sunset Trough Trip, which operates on the same route but departs at 5 p.m. to catch the summer sunset. 

For a longer ride, hop on the All Day Petersburg, which runs from Romney to Petersburg, West Virginia, over the course of nine hours. This extended trip is only available from May to October on the last Saturday of the month. Upon arrival in Petersburg, riders have time to enjoy the shops, restaurants, and depot before hopping back on the train for the return journey to Romney. 

The train also runs in the opposite direction, northbound to Green Spring on a short, 1.5-hour journey that showcases the state’s beautiful farmland and rock cuts.

There are several classes of service on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, starting with Standard Coach. From there, the rate increases based on what tier of dining you want to add to your trip: standard, premium, or superior.

Standard Coach tickets include access to concessions, while the Standard Dining includes a boxed lunch. The Premium Dining fare includes a seat in the railway’s vintage 1947 passenger cars (which are climate controlled) and a three-course meal. Meanwhile, the highest tier, Superior Dining, includes a four-course meal served on Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad china in a beautifully restored lounge that is climate controlled. 

The Trough Canyon and Sunset Trough Trip start at $74, while the All Day Petersburg trip starts at $114 and the Green Spring Special at $49. Reservations can be made at potomaceagle.com.