Scenic Railroads in West Virginia
Routes, seasons, tickets, and trip tips — everything in one place.
West Virginia offers 3 scenic excursion railroads — a compact but rewarding selection for trip-planners who want to experience the region at a slower pace. The lines here cover narrow gauge steam, steam & diesel, and diesel, giving even a short visit genuine variety.
The standout ride in West Virginia is the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad, based in Elkins. A steam & diesel excursion, it takes passengers mountain rail adventures from Elkins, Durbin and Cass following the Greenbrier River through national forest. The journey lasts approximately 5 hours. It operates April through December, plus limited winter dates. Tickets are $63-$83 (winter trains).
Fall is the premier season for rail touring in West Virginia. 2 of the 3 lines run foliage specials or highlight autumn color in their marketing — and for good reason. Leaf-peeping excursion seats on steam trains routinely sell out weeks or even months ahead; if fall is your target window, treat ticket purchases as part of your route planning, not an afterthought.
All 3 Scenic Railroads in West Virginia
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🚂Cass Scenic Railroad State Park›
Geared Shay steam locomotives climb steep mountain grades to Whittaker Station and Bald Knob in West Virginia.
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Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad›Mountain rail adventures from Elkins, Durbin and Cass following the Greenbrier River through national forest.
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Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad›Trains follow the South Branch Potomac River through The Trough canyon, a noted bald eagle habitat.
Compare West Virginia Scenic Railroads
Scroll right on mobile. Click any railroad name for the full route details.
| Railroad | Location | Train type | Typical duration | Price range | Reservations | Dog-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cass Scenic Railroad State Park | Cass | Narrow gauge steam | 4.5 hours | $83 adult (Bald Knob, includes lunch) | See website | No |
| Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad | Elkins | Steam & diesel | 5 hours | $63-$83 (winter trains) | See website | No |
| Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad | Romney | Diesel | 1.5 hours | $35-$55+ (adult, varies by trip/class) | Not required | No |