After my successful visit to TrainFestival 2009 in Owosso, Michigan, I then found out that Jason Johnson was going to do another one this year at Petersburg, West Virginia. It was almost scheduled for the same time as the NRHS but there would be a Sunday Trip from Romney to Petersburg using diesels south and the Western Maryland 734 north. I signed myself up for that plus an hourly trip behind the New Hope Valley 17 plus the Flagg Coal 75 would also be there. About two weeks before the CSX would not grant the Western Maryland access to run over their railroad for the ten miles needed to get it there. No matter what happens I will cover the last day of this great event.
I woke up at the Winchester Best Western Lee Jackson Inn and had a light breakfast in their restaurant. I then took US 50 to Romney and drove north up WV 28 to the Potomac Eagle Station and parked in their parking lot.
Our Trip to Petersburg
I walked over to photograph our train for Petersburg.
South Branch Valley Railroad 100.
South Branch Valley Railroad 91.
The other end of our train that will lead to Petersburg.
The sign along the highway for the Potomac Eagle Train. I returned to the car and started working on the Lehigh Rambler story. After I got the pictures set up. I joined the line to board the train and met my other passengers and gave out my cards to people.
They let us ride in the open air car and I was there when we departed Romney. Some of our passengers knew who I was and we had great conversions aboard the train most of the trip.
The view looking west.
The train crossed the South Branch of the Potomac River.
It then curved south heading to Petersburg on this special trip to West Virginia Rails there.
Views looking east across the valley.
A barn before we reached the US 50 grade crossing.
The work area for the Potomac Eagle train cars.
The cab from a VIA Rail F-unit.
The train crossed a creek.
The train curves through the trees.
A look across the valley.
An abandoned house.
The stone house.
Another abandoned stone house.
Another look across the valley.
A stone wall.
Another view across the valley.
A gap in the hills.
South Branch of the Potomac River.
Curving towards the "The Trough," a spectacular narrow mountain valley.
The train enters "The Trough" and now sit back and enjoy the pictures.
With the train crossing the South Branch of the Potomac River we exited "The Trough". I hope you enjoyed our southbound passage of "The Trough".
A look back into "The Trough".
A look towards the back of the train crossing the South Branch of the Potomac River.
This is the point the regular Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad trips ends. From here it will be new mileage all the way to Petersburg.
