Since 1968, the New River Train has taken travelers on an annual fall excursion through West Virginia’s scenic New River Gorge. The 300-mile round-trip takes a special excursion from Huntington to Hinton and returns with a 65-mile-long stretch through the New River Gorge and two sightseeing stops.
The New River Train Excursion is much more than just a fall train trip. Much of this stretch of New River Gorge is inaccessible by car, making the trip a unique opportunity to see the beautiful New River Gorge up close.
You’ll pass ghost towns, former coal mining sites, and numerous scenic spots tucked away in the gorge. Guides aboard each car point out the various ghost towns and the remains of old coal mining sites still visible along the railroad route through the Gorge. This is a long day so be sure to wear comfortable clothes and good walking shoes and get a good night’s sleep before you go.
What to expect on the tour
The 300-mile New River Train day trip also offers the opportunity to tour historic Thurmond Depot, plus a three-hour layover in Hinton, where Railroad Day festivities include food, crafts, and entertainment.
Each trip departs from Huntington C&O Depot and will stop first in St. Albans to pick up other coach passengers before continuing through the Teays Valley area and the Kanawha River to the mouth of the New River at Gauley Bridge. The train then follows the New River for the remainder of the journey to Hinton.
You’ll pass downtown Charleston and the State Capitol Building, Institute of Technology, Kanawha Falls, Hawks Nest Dam and Bridge, Stretcher Neck Tunnel, Sandstone Falls, and the famous New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville. Plus, you can expect to see a number of historic artifacts and cities from the region’s coal mining era.
Date, time and cost
The New River Train is operated by the non-profit Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society to help fund the restoration of rail equipment, maintain its museum, and associated historic rail projects. Tickets typically cost between $ 179 per person for the Heritage Package (Standard) and $ 600 for the Business Class Deluxe Package.
The dates for the New River Train Fall Foliage Tours are in October and may vary from year to year. Each of the four trips leaves Huntington in the morning and also picks up passengers with reservations in St. Albans and Montgomery.
The New River Train uses Amtrak (diesel) locomotives and a mix of Amtrak and Amtrak-approved privately owned horizontal coaches, heritage coaches, saloons, saloon cars, dome lounge, lounges, and a private open-bed car. You can travel with other passengers in the regular class cars or even rent your own private car for your family, friends or business.
