Hop Aboard the Virginia Scenic Railway in Downtown Staunton

The Virginia Central Railroad arrived in Staunton in 1854 and transformed it from a quiet town into a thriving commercial center. The Wharf Historic District exploded with warehouses, hotels, restaurants, liveries, saloons, and other businesses. And while alternative forms of shipping and transportation have since claimed some of the local railroad’s spotlight, travelers still find rail travel to and from downtown Staunton to be convenient and pleasurable. In fact, since people love trains, beautiful scenery, and relaxing experiences, The Virginia Scenic Railway now celebrates scenery, history, and train travel with pleasure excursions on modernized historic trains. Here’s your guide to scenic tours of the Shenandoah Valley that start and stop in historic downtown Staunton.

The Regular Routes:

These regular routes run weekly year round.

• The Alleghany Special heads west from Staunton, passing through the rural landscape and working farms of western Virginia and winding toward the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest before turning around in Goshen for the trip back to Staunton.
  • The train departs Staunton at 10:30 a.m. Thursday – Sunday.
  • 4-hour extended trip: on select Thursdays, you’ll get extra time to relax and enjoy the scenery! Beyond Goshen, the train passes through two short tunnels and  begins its return journey just past Lick Run tunnel near Millboro, Virginia.
• The Blue Ridge Flyer chugs east from Staunton toward the town of Ivy. You’ll pass by Waynesboro before ascending roughly 1,000 ft up to Afton Mountain where you’ll experience the thrill of roaring through the 4,237 ft Blue Ridge Tunnel before turning around for a repeat run through the tunnel.
  • The train departs Staunton at 3:30 p.m. Thursday – Sunday.

All Aboard for New Experiences:

Along with the regular routes, the Virginia Scenic Railway offers special excursions on select days and times of year.

• Set in the early 1900s, this immersive Murder on the Menu railroad-themed dinner theater performance features great views and food, professional actors, and suspenseful script full of twists, turns, and intriguing clues. Audience members are welcome to dress in turn-of-the-century attire and even participate as the mystery unfolds. It’s also perfectly fine to remain a spectator and enjoy your meal!
• This new monthly Sip & Savor Express pairs Shenandoah Valley scenery with curated selections of Virginia wine. The onboard wine expert will guide your tasting of varietals selected from local vineyards and complemented with tasty charcuterie boards. Each month spotlights a different winery, so no two trips will be the same!
• Prefer beer to wine? There’s a trip for that, too, on an Ales & Rails beer-tasting excursion. An onboard beer expert or brewery representative will guide you through a selection of Virginia craft beers, teaching you about the brewing process and the featured brewery’s personality. 
• December Santa Trains are shorter trips with special guests that are geared for younger audiences.
• You can now also catch the Virginia Scenic Railway in Louisa.

The Details:

• Most trips last 3 hours and depart from Staunton’s Amtrak station (415 Bridge Street).
• Trips are available Thursday-Sunday. Reserve your ticket in advance.

Ticket Classes 

• Dining class passengers get plated meal service at spacious dining tables with comfortable seating. There’s also a private Adults-Only (21+) dining area. Typical menu options include stuffed shells, BBQ sandwiches, Greek salad with chicken, or soup, and dessert like chocolate cake, cheesecake, or apple caramel pie. Local craft beer, wine, and cider can be purchased separately.

• Dome class passengers ride in the modernized 1948 “Silver Palace” Vista-Dome class car that originally ran the Western Pacific Railroad’s Salt Lake City to Oakland route. Upper-level passengers get unparalleled views of the Valley from elevated seats with mid-ride rotation to ensure that you’re always facing forward. Oversized swivel chairs in the lower lounge have easy access to the walk-up bar. There’s no plated meal service, but you can reserve a box lunch like a club sandwich, pita wrap, or charcuterie box. Wine and beer are available for purchase on the train. Dome class seats are reserved for adults (21+).

• Coach class passengers enjoy comfortable seats and views out large picture windows. The coach class experience is family friendly and features complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Box lunches can be prepurchased when making your reservation.

Stay and Eat Near the Train Station

• Book a stay at Gibson’s Warehouse, a modern space in a historic building with ties to railroad history! 
• Barristers Row offers 11 luxurious suites, which are a perfect blend of comfort and elegance a short stroll from the train station.
• The Blackburn Inn & Conference Center’s STAY, RIDE, RELAX package includes a train excursion and overnight accommodations for two in an elegantly restored historic boutique property just minutes from the train station.
• Extend the fun with a cider tasting at Ciders From Mars, a wine tasting at Ox Eye Vineyards Tasting Room, a pint of craft beer at Redbeard Brewing, or an artisan cocktail at The Junction.

• The Frenchman serves New Orleans-inspired French-Cajun cuisine from its new space in the historic train station.

• Get drinks and dinner at The Depot Grille, which serves all kinds of American food like seafood, steak, sandwiches, and pasta, and has an impressive bar menu. Byers Street Bistro also has a full bar. Complement your drinks with appetizers followed by handhelds or personal pizzas.
• Here on a Saturday morning? The Staunton Farmers’ Market opens in April at a new location close by, for fresh produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more.

Other Train-Themed Things to Do in Staunton

• Tour Staunton’s Wharf Historic District, named because of its location next to the railroad depot and the way workers would set up gangplanks to move goods to and from the warehouses. Buildings constructed between 1870 and 1910 once filled the area that is now the Wharf parking lot. Structures here were damaged by a flood in 1896 and destroyed by fire in 1911 and again in 1940.
• The bungalow-style train station was built in 1902, but it’s the third on the site. The first was strategically destroyed during the Civil War, and the second was demolished by a runaway train in 1890. Some say the site is still haunted by those who perished! To learn more, sign up for a Ghosts of Staunton ghost tour.
• Climb up to the Sears Hill Bridge, a 1905 footbridge that crosses the railroad tracks. The steps are steep, but views from the bridge and nearby Wilson Park are phenomenal. 

• Each summer, the miniature Gypsy Hill Express loops its track in Gypsy Hill Park and delights train fans of all ages. Rides cost $1, and the train runs from 1 to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, May through October.

• Head east to Afton Mountain and hike the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail. This out-and-back adventure includes a mile-long tunnel built in the 1850s and once the longest of its kind in the country. Don’t worry: this tunnel is no longer used by trains!

Grab your tickets and your camera for your ride on the Virginia Scenic Railway!