Since we purchased a land lot in West Virginia, we’ve wanted to find more ways to explore more of what West Virginia has to offer. A train ride with the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad was one of those experiences.
We opted to take the all-day Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad train ride to Petersburg, WV which is a round-trip adventure from Romney, WV through some of the most picturesque WV landscapes (and bald eagle sightings) on a vintage train. This trip includes a 3-hour layover in the town of Petersburg before heading back to Romney.
Why visit with the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad?
Besides the scenic appeal and opportunity to see bald eagles, the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad also has an interesting history.
The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad originates from the South Branch Valley Railroad, which has served the region for over a century. It was born from local efforts in the late 1980s to create a tourist attraction celebrating both heritage and the region’s natural beauty. Officially launched in 1991, the train departs from Wappocomo Station in Romney, WV. It offers passengers breathtaking views, most notably a 6-mile stretch known as “The Trough,” where visitors get the chance to spot American bald eagles in their natural habitat. This region provides an ideal home for these American bald eagles, and is one of the highlights of the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad.
The railroad itself has been preserved and upgraded by the West Virginia State Rail Authority since its acquisition in 1978. It withstood abandonment threats and natural disasters like the catastrophic flood of 1985. The Potomac Eagle showcases vintage club cars and the famed #722 locomotive (a steam locomotive), each with stories that trace back decades, from luxury travel to Amtrak service.
Excursions and ticketing options with the Potomac Eagle
Sightseeing excursions
Potomac Scenic Eagle Railroad offers different types of excursions ranging from trip durations of 1.5, 3, or an all-day 9-hour trip. Each trip is narrated to learn about the nature and history of the area.
We ended up booking the 9-hour All Day Petersburg excursion which includes a 3-hour layover in Petersburg, West Virginia. However below are is the summary of excursions that Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad offers (information is as of November 2024):
| Excursion | Description |
| Green Spring Special (1.5 hours) | This is a 1.5-hour, 25-mile northbound journey along the South Branch of the Potomac River. This short trip provides peaceful river views and optional dining. |
| Trough Canyon (3 hours) | A 35-mile journey showcasing the natural beauty and wildlife of West Virginia’s Trough Canyon. Passengers enjoy views of the bald eagles and scenic landscapes from the Sycamore Bridge over the historic South Branch Potomac River. |
| Sunset Trough (3 hours) | Similar to the above Trough Canyon, except during sunset hours. |
| All Day Petersburg (9 hours) | A 76-mile scenic journey from Romney to Petersburg, WV, traveling through the picturesque Trough Canyon. This 9-hour adventure includes a 3-hour layover in the historic town of Petersburg, the gateway to the Monongahela National Forest. Options include exploring Petersburg on your own or choosing to visit to Smoke Hole Caverns. |
| Holiday Trough (3 hours) Nov to Dec only. | This is a 35-mile, 3-hour journey southbound through Trough Canyon, complete with stunning views from Sycamore Bridge. The trip features a festive atmosphere with holiday music, decorations, and holiday-inspired dining options. |
| North Pole Express (75 minutes) Nov to Dec only. | A 75-minute holiday adventure aboard festively decorated train cars. Enjoy storytelling, caroling, and the unique Christmas tale “Yes, West Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” while savoring milk and Mrs. Claus’ famous cookies. Watch performers from “The Nutcracker” bring holiday magic to life before arriving at the illuminated North Pole. Santa boards the train with gifts for every child. After the trip, visit the Christmas Event Barn for more festivities including a petting farm, Nativity scene, s’mores, letter-writing to Santa, and photo opportunities. |
Ticket classes and reservations
There are 5 different ticket classes to choose from and the key differences are outlined in the table below. All ticket classes have assigned seating, access to restrooms, window views, and access to the concession, observation, and gondola cars. The observation and gondola cars are cars with open, unenclosed views.
We booked Superior Club / Club Service tickets online 4 months in advance of our Fall trip. Their website notes that for reservations with meal service, you must book no less than 24-hours before the date of the excursion to allow time for meal preparation. You also choose your meal selections at the time of booking (and make sure to also note any dietary restrictions).
Reservations are non-refundable but in-house credits may be possible. Note also that the railroad is not ADA compliant due to the historic nature of the equipment, but accommodations can be requested. Let the reservationist know at the time of the reservation if there are any boarding concerns (walker, cane, wheelchair, need extra time boarding, etc.). The station itself has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, restrooms, and parking lot.
Below are some of the key differences for the different ticket classes, and the prices are specifically for the All-Day Petersburg trip. Different excursions and ticket classes will have different prices. Information is as of November 2024, so please check the official website for the latest.
| Regular Adult Price | Age restriction? | Meal? | Windows open/ close? | Climate Controlled? | |
| Standard Coach | $110 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Standard Dining | $145 | ❌ | ✅Light breakfast snack + boxed Lunch | ✅ | ❌ |
| Premium Dining | $190 | ❌ | ✅Light breakfast and lunch + 3-course meal | ❌ | ✅ |
| Superior Dining | $225-233 | ✅Adults 17+ only | ✅Light breakfast and lunch + 4-course meal | ❌ | ✅ |
| Superior Club (Club Service) | $225 | ✅Adults 17+ only | ✅5-course heavy hor d’oeuvres | ❌ | ✅ |
Seating Policy
All reservations have assigned seating in the selected class of service. It’s possible that during high demand, the Potomac Eagle may seat separate reservations together.
Separate reservations can be seated together if both parties call the reservations office prior to the excursion date to make this request. There may also be an option to do this online, but it would not hurt to still call to confirm the request.
What to bring or not bring on the Potomac Eagle
What is NOT permitted on board
- Outside food
- Oversized items such as strollers, coolers, picnic baskets, and large carry-on bags (these must be stored in your vehicle and cannot be stored at the station or on the train)
- Pets – including emotional support animals. Note though that Service Animals, as defined by the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II and Title III, are allowed on excursions.
- Firearms
- Alcohol and smoking are prohibited onboard (this includes all vapes, e-cigarettes and similar devices)
Consider bringing
- Cash for gratuity, as well as the concession car which is cash only. The concession car is close to the observation car and sells things like hotdogs, candy bars, nachos, ice cream, popcorn, and drinks (note: not available on North Pole Express). Certain ticket classes include meal service with a car attendant
- A hat or sunscreen if you wish to re-apply when sitting by a window, are out on the gondola car, or outside during a layover excursion
- Sunglasses, if you will be on the train during sunset hours where the sun may be bright
- Hand sanitizer in case there is a line for the bathroom
- External phone charger, especially if you’ll be on the 9-hour trip because my phone battery could barely last the day on a single charge
What to expect on arrival
Excursions depart from the station in Romney, located at 149 Eagle Drive, Romney WV. Romney is one of West Virginia’s two oldest incorporated towns (the other town being Shepherdstown).
When to arrive
The ticket office (the blue and yellow caboose) is open 1.5 hours prior to departure. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure. I would recommend that particularly for popular trips like peak foliage or holiday trains that you get there at least an hour prior to departure to make sure you have time to park, walk to the ticket office, and pick up your ticket. This might mean standing around for a bit longer, but it could be worth it for peace of mind.
Parking
With our departure time of 9:30 am, we decided to get there around 8:30. When we pulled in we were shocked by the number of cars that were already there, and we were glad to get there when we did. Our trip was during peak Fall foliage, so there were many people who signed up for this trip along with us (I think they said 500 people on board this trip). We didn’t know exactly where to go, but were able to follow people heading towards the ticket office.
The parking area is a large lot of gravel and grass. There are rows where you can pull up to park which would allow you to simply pull forward to get out easier. Park here if you want to try and speed up getting out of the lot after the trip. You could also consider backing into your spot to make it easy to get out later.
We had no issues leaving since for our all-day trip, passengers disembarked in phases based on what car you were in, so by the time we got off the train, many passengers had already left in their cars which made it easier for us (we did not back our car in and we got out quickly enough).
Make sure to leave any large items in your car like strollers since there won’t be room on the train to store any large items.
Waiting to board the train
Once we followed people to the ticket office, we saw where to pick up our tickets. There was one window for last names starting in the first half of the alphabet and another for the second half. I don’t know if it was just timing of passengers and their individual needs with each ticket window, but the line for the first half of the alphabet was quite a bit longer than the second half of the alphabet. This might have been totally random.
The ticket attendant will provide you with an envelope with your boarding ticket and assigned seats. Included in the envelope is also information about the trip and the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad. Each car is assigned a letter, and that letter will be on your envelope. Once you have the letter of your car, you head to an area where there are signs with each letter where passengers line up behind their assigned letters.
Depending on how early you arrive, you might be waiting in line for quite some time, so dress warmly if visiting in colder months!
Boarding the train
When it’s time to board, the staff will make some quick announcements, and each letter will be called to start boarding. Some of the cars will board on the ground and some cars board on the platform. Since seats are assigned, it doesn’t really matter how early you get there to line up since your seat will always be your seat.
When you first board, to get to your car you’ll walk through many of the different car types (e.g., different ticket classes) to get to your reserved car. It was cool to see the setup for all the different types of cars.
What to expect on board the Potomac Eagle
Seating and getting settled in the Superior Club car
Seats are all assigned ahead of time. There are placards with the reservation party’s names on them at each seating area, and on each table there were placemats, silverware, and cups already set up.
Some reservations had better seats than others. The ideal seats on the train no matter what car you are in will be on the side the South Branch of the Potomac River is on. This is where the eagles can be viewed, and where most of the best views are (though the other side does still have beautiful land and farm views). Being on the river side will allow for better pictures from your seat. The train path moves one way and returns that same way, meaning you will receive the same sights going to and from your destination.
Of course, you can always look across to the other side of the train and you can still see the sights. You can also spend time in the observation car to view the sights without enclosure. The observation car is far from the meal service cars though so it will take time to walk through the cars to get there. It could also get crowded if many passengers decide to spend time in this car.
Our reservation was in the Superior Club (also known as Club Service) car. The main difference between this and the Superior Dining car seem to be the meal options and seating arrangements. Superior Club has couch-like seating in different positions, whereas Superior Dining has more traditional chairs and tables.
In the Superior Club, we were seated in a loveseat-style couch for two by the river-side windows. While this location might seem ideal, the seats faced the opposite side of the car, requiring us to twist our heads and bodies to view the river scenery behind us—something that became uncomfortable over time.
For dining, we used a small tray table as our surface. Unlike some other seats with built-in tables, this tray had to be moved in and out for us to get up, which felt inconvenient. There was a second couple with a similar setup as ours seated next to us. They were a larger couple and appeared to struggle initially with the snug fit of their loveseat.
Two other couples shared a similar loveseat and tray table setup on the opposite, non-river side, but facing the river, offering easier access to views despite being farther from the windows. The pro of this seating arrangement is that you have a view and are not craning your neck to look behind you. The cons are that you’re not as close to the window to see greater views or take photos, and you would always be looking in the direction of another reservation.
While our seats weren’t the most ideal, the food and views were enjoyable. Some seats seemed less favorable than ours. For example, a table for 4-5 at the end of one car was far from the windows on both sides, offering limited access to the scenery despite the convenience of the table. Similarly, tray table seats on the non-river side facing the river would not have been my choice, as the views felt less accessible from that setup.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms were easily accessible throughout the trip, with one located between each car. They were noticeably more spacious than airplane bathrooms, which was nice. The attendants advised that everyone on the train use the bathroom on the train before arriving in Petersburg since bathrooms are limited there.
On the way *to* Petersburg
Meals
When the train first departed, we took in the ambiance of the car and the views from outside. Our attendant introduced herself and came around with pitchers of lemonade, sweet tea, and unsweetened tea. These drinks are unlimited throughout the trip and she was always coming through to offer refills. We declined these drinks and she offered us water bottles instead, which we accepted. Once she finished filling everyone’s initial drinks, she came around asking who would like coffee.
In our car we had an attendant that made announcements and served our meals and drinks (note: If you requested any dietary restrictions upon booking, make sure to remind them of who has the dietary restrictions). Our attendant would
When you make your reservation is also when you make your meal selections.
On the way to Petersburg we were offered a quiche bites and fruit plate for breakfast, and for lunch we had a chicken salad croissant with chips. The other option at the time was a pimento sandwich with chips.
Views and experience
Throughout the trip there was light narration from a train narrator, which gave passengers interesting snippets of history about the areas we passed through, including stories of early railroads, local communities, and the wildlife. The pace was relaxed as we took in the scenery. When we passed through the “Trough” where the eagles are, the train narrator would also point out the various eagle nests and sightings of eagles and where they were located.
We took in the views of the train for the first hour or so. It was a gorgeous, sunny day, and the sun and views were stunning even before we got to the river!
At the start of the Trough, The train stops for 45 minutes to open up the Gondola car. The Gondola is an open-air car with unobstructed views. This car only opens up part way through the trip. Passengers from the dining cars are instructed to experience the Gondola on the way to Petersburg, whereas the the non-dining cars have their turn on the way back. One of the main reasons is that most of the meal service for dining cars happens on the way back from Petersburg.
I had decided to go to the observation car just to see what it was like, not realizing that they were going to open up the Gondola car soon. On my way there I also passed the concessions car which sells some souveniers, snacks, and drinks (note: purchases are cash only).
The observation car had windowless open views, and the views were ok leading up to the Trough. It was a lot of trees, but was nice to get some fresh air. I spent a few minutes watching the trees go by and decided to meet back up with Mr. Nacho.
As I was heading back to the Superior Club car, the Gondola car, the train narrator announced it was open. I decided to skip visiting without Mr. Nacho and continued back. Navigating the narrow train hallways against the flow of passengers heading to the Gondola was difficult. By the time I made it back to the Superior Club car, it felt too late to make another trip back.
We ultimately decided not to visit the Gondola car, though I’ve seen the views on social media. We weren’t the only ones who stayed behind. Three other groups also opted out. With most passengers in the Gondola, those of us who remained had the chance to enjoy unobstructed river-side views looking out the windows of the folks who had gone to the Gondola.
If I had to do it again, I would have gone with Mr. Nacho to the observation car to get there around 10:15 am or so (which is about the time they called for the Gondola car to be opened). I don’t know how long exactly it took me to walk to the observation car, but it wasn’t quick. I might say it took even at least 10 minutes. This would have allowed us to be there once they announced the opening of the Gondola car for the meal service cars.
Exploring the town of Petersburg, WV
A little after noon, the train pulled into Petersburg. In our ticket envelopes there was information about Petersburg and where to visit (which wasn’t a lot! But helpful to see).
When you purchase your Potomac Scenic Railroad tickets online you can also opt to purchase tickets to visit the Smoke Hole Caverns. Located just outside of the town, these caverns offer guided tours showcasing rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites. We did not opt to do this, but many did.
After getting off the train, we first visited the South Side Depot, which is a gift shop conveniently located right by the train. It offered a variety of items, including wines, teas, stationery, snacks (like pepperoni rolls!), and other gifts. The atmosphere was lively, with a group of musicians playing traditional Appalachia music in the center of the store. While Petersburg itself felt a bit underwhelming, it was a pleasant day to walk around and explore.
Within Petersburg, there is a Court House museum, a Mexican restaurant, couple ice cream places, and one or two other restaurants, We also passed by one or two antique/flea markets. There were shuttles operating to take people around Petersburg, but you could just as well walk to all the sites on the map yourself, which is what we did. We took a stroll from South Side Depot up to the Court House and back. On the way back to South Side Depot, before the bridge there is a little walkway/path along the river which we strolled down for a bit, and that was nice.
We didn’t feel like there was much else to do so we headed back to the South Side Depot to wait. Many others were doing the same. There are chairs in front, and a ton of chairs and tables in the back of the building to sit and wait as well. We waited for probably another hour until the train was ready to leave. They make it clear that you need to be on the boarding side of the train before departure, otherwise you will be stuck on the other side for awhile until the train moves again. The view of the train pulling up for people to start boarding was really neat to see.
On the way back *from* Petersburg
The views of the river and Fall foliage were even more stunning on the way back from Petersburg because it was almost sunset. There were many more eagle sightings on the way back as well, so I’m sure the non-meal service cars in the Gondola had a great time!
Meals
On the way back from Petersburg, this was our meal selection:
- First: Beer Cheese Dip with Pretzel Bites and Blue Corn Tortilla Chips (Served Hot); Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Blue Corn Tortilla Chips (Served Hot)
- Second: Ricotta Cheese with Candied Bacon on Crusted Bread; Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil with Balsamic Glaze on Crusted Bread
- Third: Honey Glazed Garlic Shrimp; Assorted Bacon Wrapped Plate (beef, pork, brussel sprout and scallop)
- Fourth: Chocolate Indulgence; Salted Caramel Crunch Cake
The food overall was decent and we were pleased with how the food turned out. Mr. Nacho unfortunately got a little sick after the third meal (and I’m not sure if it’s something he ate or what), but he survived. We were totally full by the time dessert rolled around (in addition Mr. Nacho not feeling well), so we didn’t eat much dessert. Some images below of our noms (the breakfast image was from on the way to Petersburg).
Tips and gratuity are not included as part of the ticket price. When you leave the train there are tip jars to leave your tips, but many of the tables we were with decided to tip the attendant while still in our seats after dessert (which is what we chose to do as well).
Disembarking the train
Once the train arrived back into Romney around 6:30, it was dark. The train disembarked passengers from the first set of cars first, and then pulled up further and disembarked the later meal service cars. This phased departure of passengers I’m sure helps with traffic for leaving the parking area.
The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad gift shop was also open for browsing, but we didn’t end up visiting because we were tired and Mr. Nacho was not feeling well.
Final thoughts on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
Overall, this all-day Petersburg trip was a gorgeous way to spend the day taking in the sights and sounds of the West Virginia mountains and rivers. It was relaxed and low key, and is a great way to see the natural sights of West Virginia. I don’t know if I’d do another full day Potomac Eagle trip to Petersburg, but I’m not opposed to it. I’d be open to one of the shorter trips to see the gorgeous West Virginia views again. If you’re craving an easy-paced adventure with unbeatable West Virginia views, the Potomac Eagle might just have you covered.
