This was on our bucket list for a few years and made last minute reservations as we were passing through. The staff was absolutely amazing - treated us like royalty! The 3-hour ride to Petersburg was a relaxing and peaceful slow and scenic trip that just gave you a chance to unwind. Additionally, the dining experience on a dining car was such a memorable experience and highly recommended! The staff offered historical information and facts to support the various scenes we passed through. The views were amazing and, as advertised, we were able to see many eagles along the route. The way back was raining but no less enjoyable. This should be on your to-do list for sure! It brings the kid out in you for sure! read more

For a unique experience just 2.5 hours away from Washington, D.C., Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad provided my family of three with a day of fun. Boarding at Romney with a three-hour layover in Petersburg, here's our experience doing the all-day journey. 1) Tickets: Order online and pick up the tickets 30-60 minutes before boarding at the ticket counter at the train station. There's a large parking lot next door. Once you have your tickets, stand in the line marked with your letter. Or shop at the gift shop before they board. 2) Experience: Chugging along slowly, this vintage train is from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s depending on which car you're in. We did the premier dining experience with a light breakfast, snacks, and a three-course dinner. The train itself has a little snack bar that accepts cash only, a gift shop that's also cash only, and a viewing car. Each car gets an opportunity to go onto the ceiling-less car through the canyon to see bald eagles. We saw around ten of them! As you ride, a woman announces points of interest. Outside of that, enjoy the views or bring a few card games to play or a book to read. There's no WiFi on the train and outlets are very sparse. The train is old and it shows. Some cars are nicer than others. There are a few clean restrooms throughout the train. On the three-hour layover in Petersburg, we opted for the Smoke Hole Caverns. A bus picked us up and drove 15 minutes to the caverns and resort. The caverns are small, but interesting and the resort has mini golf, gem mining, and the state's largest gift shop. 3) Food: The dinner is where they shined! The salad, alfredo with chicken, and chocolate cake were good! The breakfast was okay as was the pepperoni and cheese for an afternoon snack. If you love quality coffee, fuel up BEFORE the train. They offer bottomless coffee, but it's very weak and not good. The free-flowing sweet tea and lemonade were good! read more

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad - Historical Tours Near Me - Romney, West Virginia

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My partner and I had a thoroughly enjoyable and tasty trip yesterday on the 3-hour tour. And this was despite the rain and inability to access the gondola car (due to the rain) and observation car (undergoing maintenance). We opted for the Superior ticket, which is a car limited to customers 17 and older and includes a 4 course meal. The car was not crowded (I think there were a total of 5 parties (all couples) , each sitting at tables for 4, facing the river side of the train. We were served by David, who did an excellent job with the service, by telling us some fun and interesting stories and just by coming across like a nice guy who is very easy to talk with. One couple was celebrating a birthday and another couple got engaged (!) during the 3-hour tour. During the train ride, a woman at the front of the train described what we would be seeing and also pointed out a number of eagles nests on the other side of the river. The information she provided was interesting and informative. As far as eagles are concerned, for our trip, we didn't see any eagles flying around. If you looked closely across the river, you might see (or think you saw (!)) the white head of an eagle or an eagles nest. I think my expectations of what the eagle sighting would be and the reality were two different things. There were a couple of train delays on route due to debris on the tracks, where workers had to disembark and shove stones and branches off of the tracks. We also had a delay due to a crossing cow. But, even with the delays (inherent in this mode of transport), the trip was relaxing and enjoyable. That being said, it was a very pleasant experience, in part due to David's attentiveness and demeanor and the other just the relaxation of moving between mountains and near a river on a slow moving train. Oh, and the food. Oh my goodness. What a meal! We started with a bread basket, which included a corn muffin and a Southern-style biscuit. Both were very good, served with butter, jam and honey. Then an appetizer. I got the beef Wellington and my partner got the shrimp cocktail. Both were delicious. The beef Wellington was a nicely cooked beef inside a puffy pastry. There were two in the serving and they were filling. The shrimp cocktail included 5 nice-size shrimp with a tasty sauce. Then, we each had a small wedge salad. I say small, but after the bread and the appetizer, it was plenty. It was really well constructed, with bits of onion, tomato and blue cheese. The blue cheese dressing (on the side) was excellent. (Other dressing choice was ranch.) Then the main. I got the sea bass ($8 extra) and my partner got the pork chop. Each was outstanding. The portion size of the main dishes was impressive, the texture and flavor of the sea bass was outstanding and the pork was well prepared (not at all tough or dried out). Each main course came with an extremely well prepared baked/boiled potato. The potato was very tender and delicious. They also came with a side of string beans. Honestly, we told the chef afterward that the meal was fantastic. One person at a nearby table said it was one of the best restaurant meals they had ever had. Oh, for dessert we opted for the chocolate torte with a raspberry drizzle. It was great. I recommend this. For those not springing for the superior meal, there are other meal options , including a box meal and a snack bar with snacks, hot dogs and pulled pork sandwiches. If our meal was any indication of care and quality, I would suggest trying these other options too. There is a Christmas North Pole excursion for those with kids and I'm interested in maybe coming back in the fall where I understand you can get a great look at the changing foliage if you come at the right time. One strong recommendation: if you are planning to go during a busy time, do try to reserve a seat on the river side of the train. That is where the outside action is. read more

Beyond disappointed. Besides driving an additional two hours from where we are staying in in Elkins ( after driving from Cass) ...Spent $170 per person with a military discount for a premium lounge car ( usually $200 pp)--and service absolutely sucked--especially after we were given the speech in the beginning by one of the employees to ask ANY of the staff for anything we needed... Pros: *pretty restored cars *pretty placemat on our table *comfortable seating where we were *smooth ride * narration on first half of the trip as to history and buildings en route, highlighting eagle sightings *smoked salmon dip and spinach dip were the highlight of the food ( what I actually ate).. *nice conversations with the tables around us, all thought the same regarding the trip *stunning scenery, and apparently the only way to see the "trough" --GORGEOUS!!! *Celeste, who was NOT our server, showed up and took care of the slack of our friendly but incompetent server whom I won't name because my mission is not to badmouth anyone in particular Cons: *our server/ service: **repeatedly had to ask for our ice tea, for water, our wine, and our food ( rolls, dessert) **not sure why our ice tea was partially filled in the glass repeatedly ( actually only twice) by the main server, but someone else filled it normally **our server had no idea what we ordered: a Pinot noir and Sauvignon Blanc-- literally took the menu to write them down... there were only FIVE wine choices...after walking away from us to get a pad because obviously she couldn't remember it **we paid extra for wine ( 4 glasses), but why were they served in cheap plastic cups? Totally takes away the ambiance and expense of the lounge car **we were almost last in our car, and frequently were literally forgotten--for our rolls, for our water, for our ice tea, for one of our courses--and of course our dessert.....as were 2-3 other tables nearby **extremely overpriced for the food we preordered: one charcuterie board, smoked salmon dip and spinach/ artichoke dip; the goat cheese I took one bite of/ the mozzarella was tasty per my husband; my husband's 4 shrimp were ok/ I never had my ONE meatball ( took it to go); and dessert is in the to go box with another box for the meatball.... For $100 over the price of a regular car, food quality/ quantity and delivery/ service did NOT justify a $100 charge over a regular car **our dessert was finally served less than 30 minutes before the trip ended-- we asked for it to go because we didn't have time to leisurely enjoy it... **we were never asked if we needed anything, wanted more wine, wanted more water ( incidentally served via plastic water bottles, not glasses), wanted coffee/ tea **we arrived back to the parking lot but were never instructed when/ how to get off **never got to check out the concession car, so can't comment BOTTOM LINE: service and food was not on par for what we paid for. And my husband has literally ridden on thousands of trains internationally.... Go up to Cass ( where we just had 3 train rides in 3 days) and enjoy them. read more

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It was an informative train ride through the trough with beautiful views of the river, fall colors of the trees, and historic farms. The narrator had an eye for spotting the bald eagles nesting, hunting, and soaring through the sky and across the river. We had the premium dinner which was delicious and well prepared. It was a great way to spend the afternoon. read more

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad - Bald eagle - Historical Tours Near Me - Romney, West Virginia

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Scenic train ride through the Trough in West Virginia. Passengers can choose from different levels - some with full hot meals all the way to standard coach with concessions. The train ride is 3 hours long following the Potomac River. The ride is narrated and there are several chances to see eagles, deer and other wildlife. It's a diesel train that pulls different cars some with air conditioning and heat and others with windows that open. The food is awesome - even the concession food , hot dogs popcorn and pizza roll are very good. (Best popcorn I have ever had- you have to try it ! ) It was quite fun for the family and they even offer an open top car for part of the trip if you like. However , the open car has no seats so you have to stand for a good portion. Lots of history and nature to be seen and it's great to see it on a fun train ride. Watch for special events and discounts - fun for the whole family. Tip : get riverside seats for better views ( seats C and D) read more

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Life is full of amazing surprises! This was one of those! As we arrived we noticed that some of the cars looked run down and in need of a good paint job! As we entered the train , it was going back in time! The food was certainly better than we expected! Gretta the head chef puts her all herself in every bite! The desert was commerce purchase but continued the high quality they set! She is a locally chef and home grown ! She certainly represents the Appalachian spirit! You can see generations of love in every entre! Not only can she cook , she is very personable! Thank you for a great anniversary! The only downfall is not being able to tip with a credit card! Service was exceptional! read more

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Great train ride, we have been on several excursions on this railroad in every season. In a few weeks we will be n the North Pole Express ride with our grandchildren. Today we are on Holiday Thru the Canyon. It's a very nice ride with good food and service. The lady narrating the excursion is absolutely horrible at her job. Her voice is so monotone and boring that she is putting me to sleep. Christmas music is playing in the background in between her narrations. I would suggest they have a local history teacher from a high school or college be the narrator. She is so bloody boring. She dwells on details that don't really need to be covered. This is a great historical rail service but they deserve a better narrator-just saying. Hopefully this constructive criticism is taken the way it is meant to improve service. read more

We had the best time! The staff were excellent, the food was to die for (Superior Dining), and the views were simply breathtaking. The 52 eagle sittings were very majestic. I highly recommend this for others. read more

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad - Adult Eagle siting in its perch. Looking regal. - Historical Tours Near Me - Romney, West Virginia

This trip was the highlight of our visit to the area. The train staff were excellent, we opted for the 5 course superior meal and the food was perfect. The servers were knowledgeable and helpful. We were blessed with 40+ bald eagle sightings on this 3 hour tour. The staff called out sightings throughout the ride so that everyone had a chance to view and film. This is a must see for the area. read more

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad - The train leading along the riverside. - Historical Tours Near Me - Romney, West Virginia

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The 3hr train ride was great. The whole atmosphere was amazing. BJ kept the whole ride up beat and exciting. We had 15 eagle sightings. Great time worth every penny for the whole family. read more

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Complete waste of money and time. My wife and I drove 3 hours and spent over $300, we rode in the superior car. As we checked in and got our tickets the woman refused to let me get my military discount for some reason, absolutely refused to credit my card for the discount. Which included a 4 course meal, the food was cold and the ride was a joke! The train went straight down the tracks for about an hour/20 minutes ride as the narrator pointed things out that we never did see due to her being on a different car of about 15. She was very bad in speaking clearly in letting the people in various cars know when to look for the sites she was pointing out. After an hour/20 minutes the train stopped and headed back to the station. Save your money and go do something different, this was very disappointing! read more

My spouse and I rode the PE scenic railroad via standard dining car. While eagle sightings in natural surroundings were awesome, we can't say the same for the train experience. First, boarding went smoothly due to the remarkable staff. However, the standard dining car (over $100 per person) had paint peeling above the baggage compartments, tables that were chipped around the edges, and a meal that was sub standard. I ordered "vegetable lasagna," and it was about a 4x4 inch square with a stack of lasagna noodles and a thin red sauce between each. It came with green beans that were cold. They offered sweet tea and lemonade. I opted for lemonade that was a powered brand. Hugely disappointing considering the price tag. I don't know about the premium cars, but we certainly felt beneath any level of standard there. All I can say is, "Do better." read more

Took the train to Petersburg, WV for their Sunday all day train ride. I cannot tell you how pleasant the staff was! Very cordial and always ready to have a conversation with you! The staff is very knowledgeable with the history of the area, and our waitstaff mentioned a great ice cream place to visit ~3 miles up the road!!! My box lunch was delicious, and the other train guest had a hot meal that they said was really good! Please come out and take a ride to view the beauty of the Bald Eagles and history of West Virginia!!! read more

Great adventure! Wonderful service, friendly staff! Could not recommend these excursions more!! read more

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad - Historical Tours Near Me - Romney, West Virginia

What a nice way to spend a day We saw eagles in the trough We had great food and met some really nice people. Went into Romney, visited the bakery, which is really good Stopped at the produce stand very neat, clean and organized. The bakery products were really good also there. read more

The actual train ride with viewing was fine. Depending on which car you were in, the commentary giving instructions for eagle finding was more or less successful. As for the 3 course meal, the service was excellent but the meal was subpar. The steak was very tough and mine was 1/3rd gristle! The cornbread amd bisquit seemed to be served strainght from the refrigerator as was the chocolate cake dessert. The coffee served to reheat what we had was tepid. The food was a disappointment. read more

Delicious food, nice presentation. Friendly staff but they could be more attentive. Very nice scenery and a comfortable ride. They could use a better narrator describing the scenery. She couldn't have been more monotone and unenthusiastic if she tried. read more

We have rode this train several times now and they don't disappoint. The service is top notch and the food is amazing. We enjoyed a four course meal while taking in the beautiful scenery. We had a blast with our family and with the staff and will definitely be back. read more

Well organized an informative train ride. The food onboard was delicious. We used the superior dining package. The staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. The train deported on time and return to the station on time. No delays, no issues, no problems, beautiful scenic ride along the river and mountainside. The employee that was very informative and knowledgeable on the open gondola, car had extensive knowledge of the area and history along The railway. His name was BJ. read more

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Beautiful trip. Great service. Lots of Eagles to see. Every employee was very helpful and eager to help. read more

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We went for the second time last Fri and have decided we will never ride the Western MD Scenic Railroad ever again. Potomac Eagle is the best bang for your buck (we have only gotten premium tickets)! Our meal (chicken fettuccine Alfredo), was excellent. Our car's waiter (wish I remembered his name, but he was 24 and had a ponytail), was amazing . He was very friendly, professional and obviously loves his job. Because we had seats on the opposite side of the train, he made arrangements for those of us on that side to sit in the next car ahead, so that we could see out the window. That was fantastic! The gentleman on the gondola was so personable, warm and friendly! He made sure we saw the nests and the eagles. We actually had a close encounter with one as it flew right in front of us! I can't imagine riding in the cars without air conditioning. People had their bare feet on the seat in front of them and all the windows were open, on the hottest day of the year, so far! I wish we had a choice of dessert because I don't like soggy cake. Tres leches cake is too soggy. I also wish there was a way to stop in a small town or even in nature so that we can get off the train. We will be booking another trip soon! read more

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad - The Trough - Historical Tours Near Me - Romney, West Virginia

We were told to arrive by 130pm for a 230pm train ride. Waited until 3pm to board the train, in the hot sun. Lined up in a dozen rows, could not have water with us, so it was terrible. We were told they were sitting up the train. Very incompetent. With the amount of people and price of the tickets, certainly no need for this. And to have to go to will call and pick up a hand printed envelope? Really? Update this process. read more

Fun, scenic, historic way to experience Romney, WV. Celebrated my husband's birthday with a tasty lunch, many eagle sightings, and the joy of old-school train travel. Very enjoyable excursion. Thank you! read more

First thing - staff on the train was FANTASTIC. 5 Staff at the depot lining us up looked worn out and sad to be there. 1 star They were the same people! Speaker giving directions for embarking the train was not loud enough. Couldn't hear at all what they said. Scenery - we saw so much beautiful countryside and spotted 3 bald eagles, not to mention many blue heron, people fishing and kayaking, and just overall river and mountain scenery. Food - 3 We were in the club dining car - top tier. Breakfast was excellent, lunch was TERRIBLE, dinner was ok. Unmemorable. Train - 3 Our car lost a/c during the trip. Where going to move us to a "lower level" (price-wise car) which was cool. Very disappointing. They got it fixed, but then another car had the same thing happen and they DID have to move. Throughout the trip, a woman would come over the speaker and give historical information, or do such things as point out eagles outside. She was barely audible, sometimes unable to be understood at all. Very disappointing to miss that part of the experience. Gondola 4 Being outside for the ride through the trough to watch the eagles was fantastic. A staff member was outside with us making announcements about eagle nests or eagles spotted, but we was literally yelling over the train sound and it was hard to hear much of what he said. The hostess/manager/overall person who kept things running was wonderful. I didn't catch her name, but she was there to make sure things were going well for everyone. She was polite, kind and professional. The conductor was sweet, with a great sense of humor. read more

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Wonderful experience! My boys are 3 and 1 and I was a little worried they weren't old enough to sit still for the Polar Express. The ride was so cleverly planned out with ways to keep kiddos engaged and smiling ear to ear. I would do this adventure again! Thank you for a great family memory, Potomac Eagle! read more

The afternoon trough ride was amazing! Service was wonderful, view was amazing and we saw 14 eagles. You even get a history lesson while you relax and ride. read more

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We rode the club car on a journey through "The Trough." The food was very good and the service was friendly and prompt. The WV scenery was spectacular and much of it could only possibly be seen from this train. We saw several eagles on the trip and experienced an amazing trip back in time. Who doesn't miss trains?! read more

It was a fun trip my only complaint was that I wish that the milk that was given out with the cookies I wish it was warm otherwise I'd still do it again read more

Such a beautiful ride. My spouse snd I thoroughly enjoyed our lovely trip through the trough. read more

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Rode the Trough Tour this afternoon, had an incredible experience. The weather wasn't the best, but the trip was very informative and an enjoyable. Brenda was our hostess and she was amazing. Recommend this for everyone. read more

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This is a great experience. This was our second trip and everything was great both times. The food was top notch and the atmosphere and people were great. Don't hesitate you will have a great time. And yes there were Eagle sittings. read more

Did the 9 hour train ride. Great food and service. 9 hours is too long and did not need so long 2 1/2 hour stayover in Petersburg.

Awesome experience, great food and eagles everywhere. The mountains were full of color.

The ride the trough was beautiful and it was fun spotting eagles. The staff was great, but the food wasn't so great.

The scenery. The staff was so pleasant and informative and the meal was among best I ever had!!

Absolutely amazing!!! Great food, and great service. Can't wait to go back for another ride! The trough was beautiful, and my wife the bird lover saw 17 eagles! read more

Everyone was really nice and accommodating. I recommend trying to choose where you sit. We had a party of 3 and did not have a window. That was our only issue. read more

The overall experience exceeded expectations. The dining car was very comfortable and the meal was very delicious. Staff was friendly. Our only problem I would say is hearing and understanding narration on the PA system. read more

The views amazing. Comfortable seating and food delicious. Staff welcoming and accommodating. Overall this was a perfect afternoon. Oh and saw many eagles too. Majestic read more