For a Valentine’s celebration this year, Nancy bought us two tickets to the Virginia Scenic Railway in Staunton. It was a delightful experience
We made the 45-minute drive to Downtown Staunton and huddled in the small station room beside the tracks, making friends with the 24 or so other people who would travel with us on our three-hour tour. At exactly 10:30 AM, the Virginia Scenic Railway Train pulled into the station, and it was “All aboard!”
The train would chug its way from Staunton to Goshen, taking in some of the most picturesque parts of Virginia. We rode by old farms, new farms, mountains, streams, and valleys. The snow-covered countryside added to the beauty. As we motored along, we were told of the local lore and the history of railroads in Virginia. Interesting landmarks were pointed out and we were thoroughly entertained. As part of the package, we would eat lunch and sip wine as we rode along. The lunch was excellent – we each ordered a tall barbeque sandwich with crisp salads followed by cheesecake and chocolate molten cake for dessert.
The service was excellent, and the staff received a rousing ovation as we returned.
The Virginia Scenic Railway offers two tours – the Blue Ridge Flyer (eastbound to Goshen) and the Alleghany Special (westbound towards Charlottesville and through multiple tunnels).
We loved the scenery of our Goshen trip but wouldn’t mind taking the second tour sometime in the future.
The railroad first came to Staunton in 1854 and helped transform a quiet town into a bustling commercial center, allowing farmers and manufacturers to reach widespread markets. Alternative forms of shipping and transportation have since claimed some of the local railroad’s glory, but travelers have always been able to embark by rail from downtown Staunton.
The Virginia Scenic Railway trains run Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Advance reservations are required. Visit their web site or call at 434-391-9772 to book your tickets. The departure point is at 12 Middlebrook Ave., Staunton, VA.
