Fall Rails in West Virginia: Three Train Rides & Nine Days Away

Scenic Trains, Mountain Views & West Virginia History

Our nine-day Fall Rails in West Virginia tour brought together scenic rail journeys, mountain destinations, and local history. It was a chance to slow down and enjoy traveling for its own sake.

For once, watching the world go by was exactly what we were supposed to do.

Discovering Beckley and New River Gorge

After an overnight stop in Indianapolis, we continued to Beckley. An underground coal mine tour introduced us to a different side of West Virginia before stops in Fayetteville and at the New River Gorge Bridge’s Canyon Rim Visitor Center.

Following the River on the Greenbrier Express

In Cass, we boarded the Greenbrier Express for a journey to Durbin, where lunch awaited. We then continued to Elkins for a two-night stay and a Crandall Creek dinner show.

A train ride, a meal, and live entertainment made a satisfying day without anyone needing to ask, “What should we do next?”

Exploring Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley

Our travels continued with a guided visit to Blackwater Falls State Park and an afternoon at Canaan Valley Resort State Park.

These stops gave the railway portion of our vacation a welcome companion: time to enjoy the mountain landscape from another perspective.

Riding the Potomac Eagle and Frostburg Flyer

The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad carried us through Trough Canyon, with lunch aboard.

In Maryland, time around Cumberland’s visitor center and the C&O Canal preceded our final rail excursion: the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s Frostburg Flyer, including lunch and a Frostburg layover.

Three rail journeys gave us three good reasons to appreciate a window seat.

Bringing the Journey Home

We returned through Indianapolis before heading home.

The trip had made room for exploration, entertainment, and the simple pleasure of being a passenger. Our everyday schedules were waiting, but for nine days, the journey itself had been the priority.