Ride the rails back to the glory days when mighty steam-and diesel-powered trains were the fashionable way to travel. You’ll journey on four rare, vintage trains past scenic countryside, rolling mountains, lazy rivers and impressive architectural sights including the New River Gorge Bridge! Relive the heydays of thriving coal and lumber towns, and reminisce about the days of horse-drawn vehicles and steam railroads.
- Ride four vintage trains: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, The Potomac Eagle, New Tygart Flyer, and Cass Scenic Railroad
- Beckley Coal Mine tour and underground “man car” ride
- Stay at Roanoke’s magnificent 4-Diamond Stonewall Resort
- Evening music performance at the Gandy Dancer Theater
DAY 1: WELCOME TO WEST VIRGINIA
Travel to Charleston to begin our adventure. D
DAY 2: TALA/APPALACHIAN GLASS
We head to Weston, WV today to explore and hear the stories from the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (TALA), a building that is one of the largest hand-cut stone buildings in the United States at almost a quarter mile long. After lunch, the skilled artists at Appalachian Glass will delight with a demonstration of their delicate “friendship balls” once common in 1800s West Virginia. Tonight, relax at the magnificent Stonewall Resort in Stonewall Resort State Park. B, L
DAY 3: THRASHER CARRIAGE MUSEUM/FROSTBURG FLYER-WESTERN MARYLAND SCENIC RAILROAD
We start today in the town of Frostburg, MD where we’ll explore a rare and extensive collection of horse-drawn vehicles from the late 1800s to the early 1900s . The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad excursion is an exciting mix of mountain top scenery and rich transportation history. Leaving Frostburg, the route travels east, descending grades up to 2.8% on the 16- mile trek through the 914-foot Brush Tunnel under Piney Mountain, around Helmstetter’s Horseshoe Curve, and through a breach in the Allegheny Mountains over an iron truss bridge. B, L
DAY 4: RIDGEDALE FARM/POTOMAC EAGLE
Built in 1835 by a 5th cousin of George Washington, we head to the Historic Ridgedale Farm to tour the impressive brick residence. Then, make sure your cameras are ready for one of America’s most breathtaking train rides—the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad. In the spectacular narrow valley called “the Trough,” you’ll pass above the Potomac River, where the water is so clear you can see the fish! In addition to the beautiful scenery and rich history, passengers can enjoy the opportunity to see American bald eagles. B, L
DAY 5: NEW TYGART FLYER/GANDY DANCER SHOW
Today, experience a relaxed, 46-mile round-trip excursion aboard the vintage, diesel powered New Tygart Flyer featuring an “S” curve tunnel, a 1,500 feet deep canyon with densely forested slopes, and a high bridge over the meandering Shavers Fork of the Cheat River. After a hearty dinner this evening, sit back and listen to the fabulous Gandy Dancer Show as they serve up a Branson-style experience with music from the 1950’s through today! B, L, D
DAY 6: CASS SCENIC RAILROAD/GREENBRIER FALCONRY
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park will transport you back to the heyday of steam locomotives and thriving logging towns. The highlight is a thrilling 2-hour long ride on an old-fashioned logging train—steam powered Shay locomotive chugging up a logging line to Whittaker Station, an authentically recreated logging camp. Later, head to The Greenbrier to participate in the Falconry demonstration. We’ll learn all about this great sport while interacting with falcons, hawks, eagles, and owls. We then head to The Resort at Glades Springs for the next two nights. B, L, D
DAY 7: BECKLEY COAL MINE/COAL CAMP MEMORIES
Today we tour the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine which boasts 1,500 feet of underground passages. The highlight is a fascinating journey below ground with an experienced coal miner in authentic, track-riding “man cars.” This afternoon is yours to explore the resort or take a dip in the indoor pool. Tonight, we gather for dinner for a performance of Coal Camp Memories by local storyteller Karen Vuranch. B, D
DAY 8: NEW RIVER GORGE/HAWKS NEST STATE PARK
At 876 feet high and 1,700 feet long, New River Gorge National Park is home to the world’s third highest single span steel arch bridge at 876 feet high and 1,700 feet long. Enjoy the breathtaking views here before heading off to Hawks Nest State Park for more amazing views of the New River and lunch at the lodge. Then, head home with happy memories of rail adventure and mountain splendor. B, L
DAY 9: RETURN HOME B
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Night 1: Four Points by Sheraton, Charleston, WV
Night 2: Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV
Night 3: Fairfield Inn & Suites, Cumberland, MD
Nights 4-5: Hampton Inn, Elkins, WV
Nights 6-7: The Resort at Glade Springs, Daniels, WV
Night 8: Lexington, KY (TBD)
Dates:
- Departure: September 17, 2024 SOLD OUT
- Return: September 25, 2024 SOLD OUT
AND
- Departure: October 7, 2024 SOLD OUT
- Return: October 15, 2024 SOLD OUT
Pricing:
- Double: $2,999
- Single: $3,399
Walking Distance
Moderate walking is required to fully enjoy this tour. Some walking will also be on uneven paths. This tour also features multiple train rides, and there are several large steps involved in getting on and off the trains. While walking canes are allowed, we are unable to accommodate travelers using other mobility devices, including walkers and wheelchairs.
Average Temps
September – high of 80°, low of 58°
October – high of 69°, low of 46°
Time Zone
Eastern
Hotel Amenities
Each hotel has a hair dryer, iron, ironing boards, and a coffee maker.
Additional Information
We are featuring four trains on this tour. You can find the duration of those train rides below:
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad – 1 hour and 30 minutes
Potomac Eagle – 3 hours
New Tygart Flyer – 4 hours
Cass Scenic Railroad – 2 hours
Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.
Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.
Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available
We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.
We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.
If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.
If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.
If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.
Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.
To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.
Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on the coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.
