The fall season in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is second to none. The valley is rich in deciduous trees, including oaks, birches, poplars, sumacs and maples, and borders the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park. When temperatures drop, leaf peepers are drawn to the valley to see the explosion of yellow, orange and red.
Popular routes to admire the fall foliage in Virginia include Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Parkway, but neither can compete with the four-hour ride on a historic steam train.
Norfolk & Western’s historic steam locomotive No. 611 is known as “the most powerful steam passenger locomotive ever built” This year, a 1950 steam locomotive will travel through the Shenandoah Valley during the peak fall foliage bloom season from early October to early November.
The 611, affectionately known as the “Queen of Steam,” departs from Goshen, Virginia, twice daily during the season on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. During the trip, the train crosses the Goshen Pass, passes through downtown Lexington, Virginia, and travels through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, a vast wilderness covering 1.8 million hectares. This forest is home to a rich diversity of nature, including more than 40 species of trees, including sturdy oaks, hickory nuts and maples.
Before we reach Staunton, the historic city in Virginia, the 611 chugs through the lush, colorful forests of Augusta County, past picturesque farms. Before returning to Goshen, the train makes a brief stop in Staunton.
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Four different seating classes are available on the 11 passenger cars pulled by locomotive 611. The standard car, the cheapest option, costs $99 roundtrip. Surcharges apply for table chairs, chairs with more legroom and chairs in the observation car. Passengers who choose the highest class of the 611 can reserve a special dome car with a glass ceiling. A table in the dome costs $249 roundtrip.
In addition, all passengers have access to the second level of the observation car, where concessions are available for purchase. Passengers who pay for a higher class receive a free drink and snack throughout the journey.
The autumn excursion of the 611 begins on October 6 and runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through November 5. The two daily departure times are 9:00 AM and 2:30 PM VirginiaScenicRailway.com now taking reservations
