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Trip on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad 7/15/2006

Following an excellent Continental Breakfast at the South Branch Inn, we checked out and drove to the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad parking lot just to the north of Romney, West Virginia. Here I got the tickets for today's trip before I walked back across the track to the highway to get the train's consist.

View of our train set.

Chesapeake & Ohio FP-7A 8016.

Chesapeake & Ohio 965 Gadsby's Tavern First Class.

Pere Marquette 113 Eagle Canon First Class.

Chesapeake & Ohio 1903 Chessie Club First Class.

Potomac Eagle 4956 Table Car.

Potomac Eagle 79 Snack Car.

Potomac Eagle 5061 Concession Car.

Potomac Eagle 5006 Coach.

Potomac Eagle 4978 Coach.

Potomac Eagle 4999 Coach.

Potomac Eagle 1158 Covered Open Car.

Potomac Eagle 1 open car.

Potomac Eagle F-7A 722. I returned back around the train and toured the museum cars.

The 722 will back onto our train set right before departure as not to block the grade crossing.

The inside of the museum car.

B&O Emblem of this line we are riding was once this railroads.

Each of the boards have at least one picture on them.

The pictures were all very interesting. After an interesting look at the museum, I went outside to wait to board the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad Train this morning. The train was loaded by groups at 11:00 AM. First, an Amish group from Altoona, second another group from Altoona and lastly general boarding. I settled into the 4999 coach and waited for the trip to start.

Passengers ready for our great train trip today.

Chris Parker relaxing before our trip starts.

This railroad has operated along the South Branch of the Potomac River for over a hundred years. The first railroad to build in this valley was the South Branch Railroad that completed the line from Green Springs to Romney on September 1st, 1884. A new company the Hampshire Southern built from Romney to Morefield in 1909 with service starting in 1910 to communities along the valley. In 1911, the system was sold to the Morefield and Virginia Railroad Company. In 1913 the system was transferred to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Passenger service lasted only to 1928 on this railroad line. The line ran until the mid 1970's when the B&O abandoned the line. The State of West Virginia took over this line on October 11th, 1978. Track rebuilding then got underway on the 52 mile railroad they had taken over. The flood of 1985 took out four bridges and made 13 miles of track with heavy damage with an additional 23 miles suffering moderate damage. The line was then rebuilt again. In 1991, the first Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad ran their first train.

At 11:35 AM our trip began as we headed south out of the loading area.

A house built in 1776.

More passenger equipment.

The valley looking south.

Our train crossing the South Branch of the Potomac River.

The train taking the big curve off of the bridge.

Covered car shop and the cab of a former Via F-unit.

The valley.

Crossing a small creek.

A 1789 House.

A Civil War ruin.

Old Plantation Wall.

Views of the South branch of the Potomac River and the valley.

Cool looking barn. I spotted a group of geese standing on the rocks in the river.

Near Sector, a gap on the Southside of the valley.

At Sector, the train was stopped and the open car was opened for all passengers to use until it filled up. Anyone who didn't get into the open car going south could ride in it northbound. They open the car here, because the train passes through the beautiful Trough where all the bald eagles are found. There are no roads into the Trough so it is just the train, the river and the bald eagles. I can't wait to enjoy this rail experience.

A fully loaded open car as we are ready to head south into the Trough.

The South Branch of the Potomac River. A deer then ran in front of the train then up the hill away from the river.

Passengers on Bald Eagle watch as we enter the Trough.

Geese on the bank of the river.

The river. A young Bald Eagle flying down river was spotted. That made all the passengers to start looking and calling out when they spotted bald eagles.

Mature Bald Eagle was spotted next.

The Trough.

Bald Eagle flying down stream.

Bald Eagle in a nest.

More of the Trough.

Bald eagle in a tree.

The Trough.

Bald eagle nest.

The Trough.

A look back.

The view back of the river with the rafters in this picture.

Eagle Rock.

More of the Trough.

Rock layers near the top of the Trough.

Bald Eagle in the tree.

Crossing the South Branch of the Potomac River.

A look back into the Trough.

Our train passing a construction zone. We came to a stop and the open car was emptied of the passengers before we ran to Morefield, our turn around point on this trip.

McNeill, West Virginia.

A house on the hill.

Running along a cornfield.

Fields.

A nice rural view.

House and the barn.

We have arrived at Morefield at 1:30 PM. Our crew switched ends and we then headed back to Romney. I just then sat back to enjoy the return trip. With just a few more pictures to take on the return trip which will be easy since I know where everything is.

Our train approaching the construction zone on the return trip with the C&O 8016 now leading us to Romney.

Looking down the Trough.

Looking up the South Branch of the Potomac River.

Crossing the bridge.

The Bald Eagle still sitting in his tree.

Rafters resting on a hot and very humid day. I bet the water feels good!

A view of our train along the South Branch of the Potomac River. After that they gave me a tour of the First Class Cars. These are the cars you would get to ride in if you paid for a First Class Ticket.

Inside of the Chesapeake & Ohio 1903 Chessie Club First Class.

Inside of the Pere Marquette 113 Eagle Canon First Class.

Inside of the Chesapeake & Ohio 965 Gadsby's Tavern First Class.

The kitchen inside the Gadsby's Tavern. I was then led into the C&O 8016 for a cab ride for the rest of the way back to Romney. Now sit back and enjoy this cab ride with me.

The view is great!

Approaching a siding.

Our engineer looking back to see if the rear end of our train has passed the end of a slow order.

Seeing a deer run in front of a train was really something.

Crossing a little creek.

Coming into a curve you always wonder what might be coming into view?

A can ride was what gave the idea for the Dome Car.

Every cab ride I take is a thrill!

Closing in on Romney.

I thanked our engineer for this unique opportunity then went back through the train to pack up and be ready to detrain back when we pulled into Romney. We arrived back into Romney at 3:13 PM ending a fantastic trip on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad. I recommend this trip to anyone who wants a great train ride, see great scenery and enjoy the Bald Eagle.

or call 304-424-0736 for information & reservations.

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