Buckingham Branch Railroad Excursions (Buckingham Division) in Dillwyn, Virginia
Heritage railroad with a museumThe Old Dominion Chapter NRHS says it no longer runs excursions or Santa trains; confirm before planning
The Buckingham Division is the 17-mile line between Bremo and Dillwyn where the family-owned Buckingham Branch Railroad began in 1988, and where volunteers of the Old Dominion Chapter NRHS once ran seasonal weekend excursions and December Santa trains.
- Railroad founded in 1988
- 17 miles from Bremo to Dillwyn
- Restored Dillwyn Station terminal
- Former spring, fall and Santa trains
- Family-owned short line
Buckingham Branch Railroad Excursions (Buckingham Division) at a glance
- Hours
- No public excursions currently listed
- Admission
- No current fares; excursions have ended
- Best for
- Rail history fans and train watchers
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address1063 Main Street, Dillwyn, VA 23936(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(434) 983-3300
- Websitebuckinghambranch.com/buckingham-division(opens in a new tab)
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In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Dillwyn.
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Seventeen miles, two employees and a family short line
The Buckingham Branch Railroad got its start in 1988, when founders Bob and Annie Bryant bought 17 miles of track between Bremo and Dillwyn from CSXT. They began running trains in March 1989 with a rented locomotive and two employees. That first stretch, the Buckingham Division, meets CSXT at Bremo on the James River and ends in downtown Dillwyn, where the railroad's corporate office sits on the track beside the historic, restored Dillwyn Station terminal. Freight moves to and from New Canton, Bridgeport, Arvonia, Johnson, Alpha and Dillwyn.
From that start the family-owned company grew to three divisions, the Buckingham, the Richmond & Alleghany and the Virginia Southern, and it now hosts the Virginia Scenic Railway. For years the Buckingham Division also carried passengers: the Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society ran weekend excursion trains in spring and fall and family Santa trains each December. The chapter has since announced that it no longer offers train excursions, and that its Santa trains stopped running after 2023.
What you can see along the line today
With the excursions ended, the Buckingham Division is a working freight railroad. The restored Dillwyn Station terminal stands next to the Buckingham Branch offices on Main Street in Dillwyn, and the line follows the James River country down to Bremo.
Don’t miss
- Dillwyn Station terminalThe historic, restored station sits at the end of the line beside the railroad's corporate office in downtown Dillwyn.
- Virginia Scenic RailwayThe Buckingham Branch's passenger trains now run as the Virginia Scenic Railway out of Staunton, about 54 miles away.
Where young riders can go instead
There is no regular public ride on the Buckingham Division now. Families with train fans can watch for freight moving through Dillwyn from public spots, never on railroad property, and head to the Virginia Scenic Railway in Staunton for a scheduled ride on the same company's trains.
Plan your visit: tips for Buckingham Branch Railroad Excursions (Buckingham Division)
- For a ride on Buckingham Branch trains, look at the Virginia Scenic Railway in Staunton.
- Stay off the tracks and railroad property; this is an active freight line.
- Follow the Buckingham Branch Facebook page for railroad news.
The Buckingham Division's December Santa trains were a family tradition for years, but they are no longer running. For holiday rides that are still operating, see our guide to Christmas train rides in Virginia.
A family railroad and a volunteer chapter
The Buckingham Branch Railroad is a family-owned short line based in Dillwyn, and the excursions on this line were run by volunteers of the Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. That chapter still restores equipment and runs the Richmond Railroad Museum, which is the best place to support its work.
Rail stops within reach of Dillwyn
The Virginia Scenic Railway in Staunton, about 54 miles away, runs Buckingham Branch passenger trips today. The Richmond Railroad Museum, run by the same volunteer chapter that operated these excursions, is about 56 miles east, and the C&O Railway Heritage Center is about 77 miles away. Browse every train museum in Virginia for more.
- Buckingham Branch Railroad preservation collectionDillwyn area, VA · same town
- Virginia Scenic RailwayStaunton, VA · about 54 mi
- Staunton Historic Train StationStaunton, VA · about 54 mi
- Richmond Railroad MuseumRichmond, VA · about 56 mi
- C&O Railway Heritage CenterClifton Forge, VA · about 77 mi
- Historic C&O DepotClifton Forge, VA · about 77 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
It is a little sad when a favorite excursion stops running, but Buckingham Branch rails still carry happy passengers on the Virginia Scenic Railway. That reminds me of the tunnel in our book: everything goes dark for Rally, Mom and Dad, and then a big bright light and happy cheers. My mom dreamed up that moment before she died in 2021, and I wrote it down for her. Her part of the story is on our story page.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Virginia: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Virginia
- Halloween train rides in Virginia
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Buckingham Branch Railroad Excursions (Buckingham Division)?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Buckingham Branch Railroad Excursions (Buckingham Division) official website(opens in a new tab)
- Buckingham Branch Railroad Excursions (Buckingham Division) on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- Buckingham Branch Railroad Excursions (Buckingham Division) on X(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Buckingham Branch excursions: 20 questions answered
Do Buckingham Branch Railroad excursions still run from Dillwyn?
Not as of October 2026. The Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, which ran the weekend excursions on the Buckingham Division, says that after many years it no longer offers train excursions. The railroad's own page still mentions them, so call (434) 983-3300 if you hear of a revival.
Are there Santa trains on the Buckingham Branch Railroad?
No longer. Family Santa trains ran each December on the Buckingham Division, operated by the Old Dominion Chapter NRHS, but the chapter announced that none would run in 2024 or for the foreseeable future. For holiday rides, check other Virginia operators such as the Virginia Scenic Railway.
Where can I ride a Buckingham Branch train now?
The Buckingham Branch Railroad hosts the Virginia Scenic Railway, which runs passenger excursions through the Shenandoah Valley from Staunton, about 54 miles from Dillwyn. Check the Virginia Scenic Railway's own website for current routes, dates and fares.
What is the Buckingham Division?
The Buckingham Division is the 17-mile line between Bremo and Dillwyn, Virginia, where the Buckingham Branch Railroad began. It connects with CSXT at Bremo on the James River and ends in downtown Dillwyn. Freight runs to and from New Canton, Bridgeport, Arvonia, Johnson, Alpha and Dillwyn.
When did the Buckingham Branch Railroad start?
The railroad was founded in 1988, when Bob and Annie Bryant acquired the 17-mile Bremo to Dillwyn line from CSXT. Trains began running in March 1989 with a rented locomotive and just two employees, and the Buckingham Division has operated continuously since.
Who ran the Buckingham Branch excursion trains?
The excursions were run by the Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, a volunteer nonprofit chartered in 1957 that also owns and operates the Richmond Railroad Museum. The chapter ran weekend trips in spring and fall and Santa trains in December over the Buckingham Division.
Where did the Buckingham Branch excursions run?
They ran on the Buckingham Division, the 17 miles of track between Bremo, on the James River, and Dillwyn in Buckingham County. The line ends in downtown Dillwyn beside the historic, restored Dillwyn Station terminal and the railroad's corporate office.
What is the Dillwyn Station?
The Dillwyn Station is a historic, restored station terminal at the end of the Buckingham Division in downtown Dillwyn. The Buckingham Branch Railroad's corporate office is on the track right next to it, at 1063 Main Street.
Who owns the Buckingham Branch Railroad?
The Buckingham Branch is a family-owned short line railroad founded by Bob and Annie Bryant. It moves freight cars to and from CSXT, Norfolk Southern and the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad, with corporate offices in Dillwyn and a leadership team with nearly 200 years of combined railroad experience.
How big is the Buckingham Branch Railroad today?
It has grown from 17 miles into three divisions: the Buckingham, the Richmond & Alleghany and the Virginia Southern. Rail writers describe it as a roughly 275-mile operation across Central Virginia, and it also hosts the Virginia Scenic Railway's passenger trains.
Can I visit the Buckingham Branch Railroad in Dillwyn?
The Buckingham Branch is a working freight railroad, not a museum, so there are no public tours listed. You can see the restored Dillwyn Station from Main Street. Stay off tracks and railroad property, and call (434) 983-3300 with any questions.
Is there a museum at the Buckingham Branch Railroad?
No museum is listed on the railroad's website. For Old Dominion Chapter history and equipment, visit the Richmond Railroad Museum in Richmond, about 56 miles away, which the same volunteer chapter owns and runs in a restored Southern Railway station.
How do I contact the Buckingham Branch Railroad?
The corporate office is at 1063 Main Street, P.O. Box 336, Dillwyn, Virginia 23936, and the main number is (434) 983-3300. The railroad also has a contact form on buckinghambranch.com. For emergencies on the railroad, it lists a separate line, (866) 244-4529.
Does the Buckingham Branch Railroad have a Facebook page?
Yes. The railroad posts news on Facebook under bbrail and on X as BuckinghamBRR. Those are good places to watch for railroad news and photos of trains on its lines, including any announcements about passenger trips.
Where can I see Buckingham Branch excursion photos?
The Buckingham Branch website features photos of its lines by local photographers, and its Facebook page shares more. The Old Dominion Chapter's Facebook page, which once promoted the excursions, is another place to look for pictures from past trips on the Buckingham Division.
Can kids watch trains on the Buckingham Branch?
Freight trains still move on the Buckingham Division, so patient families may see one pass through Dillwyn. There is no posted schedule. Watch only from public places well away from the tracks, and never stand on railroad property.
How can I help keep Virginia rail excursions alive?
Joining or volunteering with the Old Dominion Chapter NRHS supports the group that ran these trips. Members restore equipment at the chapter's Hallsboro yard and staff the Richmond Railroad Museum. Riding the Virginia Scenic Railway also supports passenger service on Buckingham Branch rails.
Does the Buckingham Branch Railroad hire?
Yes. The railroad invites people to consider careers in departments such as transportation, locomotive maintenance, signals, track and structures, and mechanical. Employment inquiries go to employment@buckinghambranch.com, and openings are posted on the careers page of buckinghambranch.com.
How far is Dillwyn from Richmond and Staunton?
Dillwyn is about 56 miles from the Richmond Railroad Museum and about 54 miles from Staunton, home of the Virginia Scenic Railway and the Staunton Historic Train Station. That puts it between two good rail outings for families in Central Virginia.
What train museums are near Dillwyn, Virginia?
The Virginia Scenic Railway and Staunton Historic Train Station are about 54 miles away, the Richmond Railroad Museum about 56 miles, and the C&O Railway Heritage Center and Historic C&O Depot in Clifton Forge about 77 miles. Roanoke's rail museums are a little over 80 miles away.
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