According to Virginia Scenic Railway, the Norfolk & Western Class steam engine trains will be the main attraction on a limited number of Shenandoah Valley Limited excursions this fall. Trains will be operating on five consecutive weekends beginning Friday, September 26, 2025. Trains will run Fridays, Saturday and Sundays starting September 26, 2025. There will be trains on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, according to Virginia Scenic Railway.
The Railway announced that rides will start and terminate at the custom-built Victoria Station in Goshen to make room for a bigger consist. There will be two departures per day, at 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
The trip takes about 3.5 to 4 hours and covers about 50 miles, the Railway says. The route goes up North Mountain and through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests on the way to Staunton, with a short stop to turn around. A vintage diesel will take care of the return portion. The excursion FAQ says that the main line can go as fast as 40 mph.
There will be six different types of seating: Coach, Premium Coach, Dome Lounge, Booth, Table, and Upper Dome. Prices will range from about $128 to $318 per person. Later this summer, the railroad will send out an e-newsletter to anybody who sign up to get updates on when tickets go on sale.
Virginia Scenic Railway reported that the Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Steam Railroading Institute, the Virginia Mechanical Preservation Society, and hundreds of volunteers all work together to run the train.
According to the railway’s, No. 611 was built in Roanoke in 1950 and is the only surviving member of N&W’s Class J fleet. It is Virginia’s official state steam locomotive and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. The Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke shows off the locomotive when it isn’t being used for excursions.
Passengers should know that excursions run in almost all weather and that the railroad’s website has information about cancellations, boarding, accessibility, and parking.
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