All Aboard for Summer Fun on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

This summer, miles upon miles of lush greenery, sunny skies and emerging wildflowers await you. Wondering how you can see the most of this amazing scenery in one day? Look no farther than the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, which was praised by Travel + Leisure for its scenic rides around the Trough Canyon. Choose your trip, pick your fare and bask in views like no other.

Step 1: Choose Your Trip

The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is eager for you to experience breathtaking views, delicious dining options and family fun. With four different summer excursions to choose from, there is certainly something for everyone. If you’re looking for a quick trip, hop aboard the Green Spring Special. This hour-and-a-half trip takes you through river views and gorgeous farmland. Looking for a longer trip? Take the three-hour Trough Trip, where you can enjoy an insightful narrated experience. If you want to make the day out of your summer excursion, you can embark on the All-Day Trip to Petersburg. This eight-hour trip is offered on the last Saturday of each month until October.

If you are looking to see what trips with the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad hold after-hours, jump on the Sunset Trough Trip. On this ride, you’ll witness the spectacular transitioning of day to dusk in Almost Heaven.

Step 2: Pick your Fare

Once you choose your ride, the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad has four fares for you to pick from. These include standard coach, standard dining, premium dining and superior dining. If you can’t keep your eyes off the views long enough to eat, then a standard coach ticket is the way to go. If you’re looking to dine while enjoying your scenic ride, then the latter three are for you. Simply pick the fare that best suits your needs. It’s “fare” enough to say that you’ll have an amazing time no matter what you have on your plate, but we are suckers for the elegantly restored superior dining lounge cars.

Step 3: Bask in the Views

For this train ride, you may want a window seat. No matter where you sit though, views are always at the ready. Hence its name, the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is known for introducing riders to West Virginia’s bald eagle population, so be on the lookout for these wild and wonderful creatures. In addition to these wildlife sightings, you’ll also be embraced by grand mountain landscapes, river views and beautiful farmland. With all this in mind, ready your camera. You’ll want to share this exciting experience with all your family and friends, and they may want to come aboard next time.

Embark on the journey of a lifetime this summer with the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, but don’t let the fun end there. These expeditions last well into the fall, so you can enjoy these same views but all in yellow, orange and red.


Travelers are encouraged to check the status of individual businesses and to review all Travel Responsibly guidelines before taking a trip.

This post was last updated on November 1, 2023