West Virginia Mountain Days by Vintage Train

A vintage diesel pulls away from the restored Elkins Depot, and West Virginia’s mountain country begins to unspool at rail speed: riverbank, forest, boulders, rapids and the occasional reminder that coal and railroads once organized much of life in these valleys. The trips operated here are sightseeing excursions, certainly, but they also make a satisfying day’s outing of the old-fashioned act of settling into a passenger car and seeing where the tracks lead.

The railroad runs several historic passenger experiences, from the long New Tygart Flyer toward High Falls to the shorter Durbin Rocket, along with holiday, winter and themed departures. The equipment includes classic F-type diesel locomotives and comfortable passenger cars, while the depot and small-town stops supply the setting that makes the ride more than a scenic loop.

History comes in useful, unshowy pieces along the way. Staff and engineers share information about the railroad, nearby communities and the country outside the windows, where old coal loadouts, coke ovens and riverside ghost-town remains can appear as part of the passing landscape. It is an accessible way to get acquainted with the region without turning the day into a museum visit.

The New Tygart Flyer is the excursion for travelers who want the train ride to occupy most of an afternoon. Round trips toward High Falls in the Shavers Fork area generally run about four to four and a half hours, with time at the destination to view and photograph the waterfall before the return journey.

The route follows the Tygart River through a particularly good stretch of mountain scenery. Wilmoth Falls, river rapids, oversized boulders and the meeting of the Middle Fork and Tygart Rivers give the ride a changing sequence of landmarks rather than one long wash of trees.

Near High Falls, the rail line reaches a sharp curve beyond which the train cannot continue. Guides have described it as a 33-degree turn and, with some railroad pride, as the sharpest railroad curve east of the Sierra Nevada. Either way, it gives the end of the line a pleasingly literal quality: this is where the train stops, and the waterfall becomes the reason to step outside.

The pause at High Falls breaks up the outing nicely. After several hours of looking through train windows, it is good to stretch, walk around the area and take in the falls at a slower pace before returning to the car for the ride back.

On selected New Tygart Flyer trips, a parlor-car option adds table seating, onboard lunch, and food and beverage service. It changes the rhythm of the journey in a simple, appealing way: instead of treating the train strictly as transportation to the falls, you can make the ride itself the occasion.

A parlor car also offers a different vantage point from a standard passenger seat. Views can vary with the side of the train, the car and the particular route, so the ability to move about can matter as much as the original seat assignment.

Amenities are excursion-specific. Lunch, beverage service, parlor seating and open-air opportunities are not universal features across the railroad’s schedule, but the variety gives repeat visitors a reason to look closely at the details of each departure.

The Durbin Rocket makes a shorter outing from Durbin, generally lasting about two hours. The train travels out for roughly an hour, stops for around 30 minutes and returns on the same line, a format that leaves plenty of room for the scenery without taking over the whole day.

Its scheduled stop is a chance to leave the train, take photographs and look around before climbing back aboard. On some routes, passengers may stop near a caboose hotel and walk beside the river, another small reminder that the railroad passes through places with their own stories rather than a manufactured attraction zone.

One of the pleasures of the Rocket is that passengers can move between cars or rooms while the train is underway. A change of seat can bring a new angle on the river or forest, and a long ride becomes a little more social when people are not confined to one view for the entire trip.

Food and drink arrangements vary by excursion. Some passengers bring refreshments aboard the Durbin Rocket, while longer or specially configured trips may have their own service. Near the Durbin departure area, ice cream and souvenirs add an easy small-town coda to a train ride.

These rides reward a little wandering. Multiple passenger cars and rooms provide different perspectives, and some excursions include open-air seating. The best view is not necessarily attached to one particular ticket; it may be on the other side of the car, a few rows away, or outside for a stretch when that option is available.

The scenery is built for unhurried looking. Rivers run close to the tracks, and the trains pass forests, mountain slopes, rapids and waterfalls rather than racing toward a single dramatic overlook. The slow accumulation is the point: another bend in the water, another patch of rock, another old industrial remnant tucked into a green valley.

An engineer or conductor may also be able to explain how the locomotive and railroad operate. That kind of conversation can be especially enjoyable for rail fans, though the cab remains a working space and access should not be assumed.

The railroad’s world extends beyond the train. Elkins, Durbin and Belington bring their own small-town character to the itinerary, and a stop can turn a scenic ride into a more varied day out.

In Belington, the Golden Rule building can offer local history, a restored water-powered elevator, views toward a working railyard and local artisan markets. It is an unusual collection under one roof, especially the elevator, which makes the building more memorable than a quick historical stop might suggest.

Back in Elkins, the depot is worth more than a glance before boarding. The Elkins Depot Welcome Center has area brochures and a schedule of local events, useful for travelers building a larger visit around the train. The Elkins Winter Special also departs from the restored depot, using vintage diesel power for a trip of about four and a half hours.

The mountain setting changes considerably over the year. Spring trips bring fresh green views across the ridges, while fall rides put the changing leaves directly outside the passenger-car windows. A return visit in another season can feel like a different route even when the tracks are familiar.

The schedule also includes themed outings, such as a Murder Mystery Wine Tour that uses air-conditioned rail cars, seats guests with other passengers and includes a stop at High Cheat Falls. It is a different tone from a straightforward heritage excursion, but it still puts the ride, the scenery and a stop off the train at the center of the evening.

Elkins departures leave from the restored depot on Railroad Avenue, while the Durbin Rocket operates from Durbin. Free station parking has been available for New Tygart Flyer passengers, though arrangements can change.

The practical question is less about which train is best than what kind of day you want. The Durbin Rocket suits a compact two-hour outing; the New Tygart Flyer and High Falls trips run closer to four or four and a half hours and include more time for the landscape to develop.

Outdoor stops and exposed scenic areas make weather part of the equation, so clothing should match the forecast. Tickets are worth checking early for the chosen date, along with current route details, stops, onboard offerings and seasonal themes.