After my successful visit to TrainFestival 2009 in Owosso, Michigan, I then learnt that Jason Johnson was going to do another one this year at Petersburg, West Virginia. It was almost scheduled for the same time as the National Railway Historical Society convention, but there would be a Sunday trip from Romney to Petersburg using diesels south and Western Maryland 2-8-0 734 north. I signed myself up for tha, as well an hourly trip behind New Hope Valley 17. In addition, Flagg Coal 0-4-0ST 75 would also be in attendance.
About two weeks beforehand, CSX would not grant the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad access to run over their railroad for the ten miles needed to. No matter what happened, I would cover the last day of this great event.
I woke up at the Winchester Best Western Lee Jackson Inn and had a light breakfast in their restaurant then drove US 50 to Romney and north on West Virginia 28 to the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad station and parked.
Our Trip to Petersburg
I walked over to photograph our train for Petersburg.
South Branch Valley Railroad GP35 100, ex. Western Rail 3518, exx. Webb Asset Management 3418, exxx. Eastern Idaho 2646, exxxx. Tuscola and Saginaw Bay 2646, exxxxx. Norfolk Southern 2646, nee Southern Railway 2646 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1965.
South Branch Valley Railroad GP9 91, ex. South Branch Valley 6447, exx. Norfolk Southern 5002, exxx. Norfolk and Western 2002, nee Norfolk and Western 716 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1956.
The other end of our train that will lead us to Petersburg.
The sign along the highway for the Potomac Eagle train. I returned to the car and started working on the Lehigh Rambler story and once I had pictures set up, joined the line to board the train, meeting my other passengers and distributing business cards.
We were allowed to ride in the open air car and I was there as we departed Romney. Some of our passengers knew who I was and great conversations were had most of the trip.
The view looking west.
The train crossed the South Branch of the Potomac River.
It then curved south heading to Petersburg on this special trip to West Virginia Rails there.
Looking east across the valley.
A barn before we reached the US 50 grade crossing.
The work area for the Potomac Eagle train cars.
The cab from a former VIA Rail and Canadian National F-unit.
Crossing a creek.
Curving through the trees.
A look across the valley.
An abandoned house.
The Nathaniel and Isaac Kuykendall House, built in 1797, pre-dating the Civil War, and on the National Register of Historic Places, four miles south of Romney.
Another abandoned stone house.
Across the valley.
A stone wall.
Beautiful countryside.
A gap in the hills.
South Branch of the Potomac River.
Curving towards "The Trough," a spectacular narrow mountain valley.
The train enters "The Trough" and now sit back and enjoy the pictures.
With the train crossing the South Branch of the Potomac River, we exited "The Trough". I hope you enjoyed your southbound passage.
A look back into "The Trough".
The rear of the train crossing the South Branch of the Potomac River.
This is the point where the regular Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad trips end. From here, it would be new mileage all the way to Petersburg.
