A lot of people may find train rides, as a medium of transportation, a little old-fashioned and outdated. But think about it! It’s really convenient, hassle-free, and gives you quite an experience. You can stay in luxury rentals after your train rides. Train rides do not have to go through traffic. Before you reach the best places to visit in Virginia, you will get to see beautiful sceneries that would give you a feeling of peace and contentment along the way.
You can even bring your kids to these train rides and book kid-friendly resorts to stay later. There’s a certain charm to train rides and railway systems. Whether you are off to a fabulous beach or the scenic mountains, there are a lot of railway companies that provide transport services as well as excursion tour packages with dinner train rides in Virginia. They also have museums dedicated to the history of the railway system of the city and shopping malls for those must-have items. We have compiled for you a list of scenic train rides in Virginia, USA.
If you can’t get enough of the railroad, why not opt for a grand tour of the state all by train? The idea is what Virginia By Rail seeks to encourage, and it partners with multiple cities and Amtrack to help visitors achieve it. You can read more about it on their brochure. The itinerary follows a fun tour of the site from Prince William County and connects Fredericksburg, Richmond, Norfolk, Lynchburg, and more for a fun holiday by train. I’d love to go on this tour with my friends!
1. Buckingham Branch Railroad
Buckingham Branch Railroad offers seasonal excursions to tourists. They have partnered with the Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Preservation Society to provide excursion rides during the spring and fall season, and they even have Santa train rides in the Christmas season. The ride starts from the Staunton Amtrak Station and passes through rolling hills and lush forestry and magnificent landscape in the centre of Virginia. I’d bring my camera along if I were you!
Experience the old-school train ride and have a weekend trip that is one for the books.
Buckingham Branch Railroad
Website: Buckingham Branch Railroad
2. MountainRail
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The first New Tygart Flyer excursions of 2021 are approaching fast and we couldn’t be more excited! Starting in July,...
Posted by Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad on Monday, June 7, 2021
MountainRail is a travel company that offers excursion trips in Virginia. Explore hidden routes and pass by mountain ranges and lush forestry in an experience you will never forget when you book a package with them. Their packages vary from short trips to all-day-long to overnight trips.
There is a wide array of options available for you such as the Cass Bald Knob trip, New Tygart Flyer, Greenbrier Express, The Dublin Rocket, and a lot more. Long-trip excursions come inclusive of lunch and dinner on the train. I think it’s a great trip to take with the family.
MountainRail
Website: MountainRail
3. Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is a train excursion in Virginia that offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience along with world-class service. You can choose from the Trough Canyon excursion, the all-day trip to Petersburg, and the Green Spring Special tour packages. The Trough Canyon excursion is a three-hour roundtrip with no layover, and the route passes by the Sycamore Bridge. I’d love to just sit by the window and finish a novel as the river drifts by.
On the other hand, the all-day trip to Petersburg is quite long in terms of travel time. This nine-hour trip passes through the farmlands of South Branch Valley and reaches Petersburg. While in Petersburg, passengers can try out the cafes and restaurants and buy goodies for the three-hour layover period. On a different note, the Green Spring Special is approximately just an hour and a half trip northbound and passes across the Potomac River and vast farmlands.
Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
Website: Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
Fun railroad-related attractions
If you’re a railroad fanatic, you’ll appreciate the list of museums and other institutions that we have below that’s all about the Iron Horse, so check them out as well!
4. C&O Railway Heritage Center
C&O Railway Heritage Center is a tourist destination in Virginia. It features a heritage centre and a museum that is both educational and inspirational. It tells tourists the American tale of the foundation of society from the people and places to the railways.
American industrial boom all boiled down to the twin rails of steel that connected the continent, and the museum is a testament to that idea. The museum features models of the old trains and railway design, some antique equipment, replicas, and more.
C&O Railway Heritage Center
Address: 705 Main St, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, United States
Website: C&O Railway Heritage Center
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed on Mon)
5. The Richmond Railroad Museum
Managed by the Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, The Richmond Railroad Museum is a tourist destination that is situated at the Southern Railway Station in Richmond. The museum features a variety of fascinating memorabilia, exhibits, galleries, furniture, and a lot more artifacts related to the city of Virginia.
It also has a gift shop where tourists can buy trinkets and souvenirs. On top of it, The Richmond Railroad Museum is available for rental. You can hold your special occasions there with its function room that can accommodate up to 100 guests.
The Richmond Railroad Museum
Address: 102 Hull St, Richmond, VA 23224, United States
Website: The Richmond Railroad Museum
Opening hours: Sat: 11am - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed Mon - Fri)
6. Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum is another tourist destination filled with artefacts, memorabilia, a collection of railway station items, models of old trains, exhibits, and a lot more. This museum holds a significant part in the history of Virginia, having been in operation for a long time now. It boasts 130 years of history and also holds interesting events that both adults and children alike will be interested in from book signings to movies under the stars to guided educational tours, and more.
Top it all off, you can celebrate your birthday party in the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum as per reservations and arrangements.
Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum
Address: 326 N Main St, Suffolk, VA 23434, United States
7. O. Winston Link & Roanoke History Museum
One of the many educational and historical museums in Virginia is the O. Winston Link & Roanoke History Museum. This museum is a tribute to the works of the master photographer O. Winston Link. Most of the photographs are in black and white settings. Some of his works are pictures of old locomotives and railway scenarios from the 1950s.
The museum also features interactive displays and audio recordings that supply relevant information about the models in his photography. In addition, some of his old tools and equipment of photography are also on display.
O. Winston Link & Roanoke History Museum
Address: 101 Shenandoah Ave NE, Roanoke, VA 24016, United States
Website: O. Winston Link & Roanoke History Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 4:30pm (closed on Sun & Sat)
8. Virginia Museum of Transportation
Situated on Norfolk Ave, Virginia Museum of Transportation is another museum in Virginia that attracts tourists. It has been in operation since 1963 and features a collection of artefacts, old pictures, memorabilia, and other antique items related to Virginia’s transportation system. It is now considered the Official Transportation Museum of Virginia.
All in all, it holds approximately 2500 items on display, available for viewing. Some of them are locomotives, old railcars, and even loaned objects. Not only that, but it also covers the water and air transportation system of Virginia. Their primary goal is to preserve the history of the city as well as the accomplishments and hard work of the people who took part in the advancement of the city’s transportation system.
Virginia Museum of Transportation
Address: 303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016, United States
Website: Virginia Museum of Transportation
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm
9. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is an amazing travel company that provides tour packages to various state parks and magnificent destinations in West Virginia. They promise an experience of a lifetime that will reconnect you with nature from lush greenery, mountains, enchanting waterfalls, fishing spots, and more. They also provide you and your family with wonderful memories that will make you want to come back to make some more.
There’s a diverse range of activities that you can choose from according to your preference, from hiking to biking to boating to fishing to camping to train tours in Virginia and a whole lot more. Stay in one of the log cabins and enjoy a vacation close to nature.
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
Address: 12363 Cass Rd, Cass, WV 24927, United States
Website: Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 8am - 6pm; Thu - Sun: 8am - 8pm
Railroads and the beauty of Virginia
Not only is Virginia, USA rich in beaches, halal restaurants, shopping centres, unique hotels and high-rise buildings, but it also boasts a fascinating history and remarkable culture. Train rides and the railway system as a whole mark an important significance to the history of Virginia. Even at the present time, the city still encourages people to take train rides while travelling and learn more about the history of the city through museums. Check out our list of these activities for your next visit to Virginia, and have a wonderful time ahead.
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