ROMNEY, W.Va. — As we begin the month of October, crew members for the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, based in Romney, are running their fall foliage tours out of Hampshire County.
Every day in October, riders can be part of a three-hour excursion that leaves from the Wapacoma Station to the Sycamore Bridge through what is known as the trough.
“We leave from Romney here the Wapacoma Station it’s a historic plantation. We follow south along the South Branch of the Potomac River one of the big draws for us is the American Bald Eagle,” said Jodi Burnsworth, office manager for Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad.
“The first discovery in West Virginia documented is actually on the South Branch which we travel through that section is known as the trough which is a steep narrow gorge just wide enough for the river and the railroad tracks.”
Railroad announcer Jean Shoemaker has been a part of the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad for 26 years.
“We’ve had people who ride the train who say this is the nicest train they have ridden because we have nature, we have food, we have scenery and best of all we have the eagles and the history alone is just amazing in this valley.”
Chef Greta Ramsey says riders are offered different levels of food service on the train.
“Our first food service is first class in the two club cars. We provided plated served just like a restaurant on wheels,” Ramsey explained.
“We have a concession car which we provide typical foods like soup and hot dogs and chili and then we have a table car that bus groups or families can rent out.”
On the Potomac Eagle riders can sit in the gondola car as crew members help spot eagles.
“I bet my life that you will see an eagle today. I have been here 16 years so you know after a while you get a little bit of knowledge and tricks of the trade,” promised Rodney Matheney, operations manager.
“Come ride with us where the eagles fly.”
To find out more, CLICK HERE or visit the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad Facebook page.