Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad in Elkins, West Virginia

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Elkins, West Virginia · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesExcursions run April through December on scheduled days

The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad keeps several of West Virginia's mountain rail lines alive, running steam and vintage diesel excursions from historic depots in Elkins, Durbin and Cass into country that roads do not reach.

  • Steam and vintage diesel trains
  • Depots in Elkins, Durbin and Cass
  • Runs the Cass Scenic Railroad
  • Trips from 2 to 5.5 hours
  • Overnight packages and cabooses
  • Group rates for 25 or more

Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad at a glance

Hours
Excursions April through December on scheduled days; Bald Knob departs 12 pm and runs May to October
Admission
Bald Knob 2026: adults $85, seniors $83, military $81, ages 4 to 11 $65, 3 and under free with ticket; Whittaker from $65
Train rides
Steam and vintage diesel excursions of 2 to 5.5 hours from Cass, Durbin and Elkins
Seasonal events
Parade of Steam weekend, Railfan Weekend, Murder Mystery Train, Holiday trains
Plan for
2 to 5.5 hours depending on the trip
Best for
Families, steam fans and overnight getaways
Best ages
All ages; Whittaker Station is best for toddlers
Accessibility
Bald Knob train is not fully accessible; wheelchair Car 8 must be reserved in advance

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad? Bring Rally along.

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 Elkins.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

One railroad company, three mountain depots

The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, reporting mark DGVR, is both a heritage railroad and a working freight railroad. It operates lines owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority, including the Durbin Railroad and the West Virginia Central, and for more than 20 years it has carried families into some of the most rugged corners of the Appalachian Mountains. Each year tens of thousands of riders come to the hills of West Virginia for its trips.

In 2015 the company took on a new responsibility: day-to-day operation of the Cass Scenic Railroad, the old logging line at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. That brought the Cass steam trains under the same roof as the vintage diesel trips out of Elkins, and today the railroad sells all of its excursions under the Mountain Rail Adventures name.

Trains leave from historic depots in downtown Elkins, in the small town of Durbin and in Cass, and the state tourism office also lists Cheat Bridge as a departure point. Season runs from April through December. The company's headquarters sits at 315 Railroad Avenue in Elkins, and its staff also plan multi-day packages that pair the trains with local lodging, the Gandy Dancer Dinner Theatre, a Cass museum showcase and a tour of the West Virginia Railroad Museum, which stands next door to the Elkins depot.

Steam up the mountain, diesel along the rivers

From Cass, steam trains climb to Whittaker Station on a two-hour trip, or keep going to Bald Knob on a five-hour, 22-mile round trip that gains 2,390 feet. At the Bald Knob overlook, at about 4,842 feet, you can pick out the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope far below in the valley, and the mountaintop has spruce trees and snowshoe hares more typical of Canada.

The Greenbrier Express links the Cass and Durbin depots, a two-hour run each way, and the New Tygart Flyer leaves the Elkins depot late in the morning with lunch on board. Overnight options include restored cabooses and camp cars parked at remote spots, and special trains through the year include a Murder Mystery Train, railfan weekends, holiday trains and the Parade of Steam weekend in June.

Don’t miss

  1. Bald Knob excursionThe railroad's most popular trip climbs 2,390 feet from Cass behind steam, with a lunch and a long look from the rustic summit overlook.
  2. Greenbrier ExpressA train between the Durbin and Cass depots, about two hours each way, often paired with an overnight stay in a Cass company house.
  3. New Tygart FlyerThe Elkins train, with lunch included, leaves late morning and returns in the afternoon after a run into the mountains.
  4. Whittaker StationThe shortest steam trip, about two hours round trip, with a picnic area and restrooms at the stop.
  5. Parade of Steam weekendA June weekend built around the railroad's steam locomotives, popular enough that some packages exclude it.

Picking the right trip for small riders

The two-hour Whittaker Station trip from Cass is the easy first ride for young children, and the railroad lists its trips as open to all ages. Longer trips like Bald Knob run about five hours, with a boxed hobo lunch of a sandwich, chips, cookie, applesauce and water. Children 3 and under ride free on Bald Knob but still need a ticket, and they get applesauce, chips and a cookie, so pack a lunch for them.

On the Bald Knob train there is only one restroom, in Car 8, with more restrooms at the Bald Knob overlook and the Whittaker Station picnic area. Car 8 is also the wheelchair car and must be reserved in advance.

Plan your visit: tips for Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad

  • Book online ahead; advance reservations are recommended to guarantee seats.
  • Fall rates add $10 per ticket from mid-September through October.
  • Taxes and fees are not included in posted fares.
  • Bring lunch for children 3 and under on the Bald Knob trip.
  • Groups of 25 or more paying guests qualify for group rates.

The railroad's season stretches into December, and holiday trains are part of the lineup alongside the Murder Mystery Train and railfan weekends. Holiday dates change every year, so check the railroad's calendar before you plan, and see our guide to West Virginia Christmas train rides for more options around the state.

The crews and office behind Mountain Rail

The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad is a company with train crews, a reservations office, a group sales team, a packaging coordinator in Cass and the Rail & Trail Store in Elkins. Visitors support the railroad most simply by riding, booking a package for an overnight stay, or buying a gift card, which never expires and can be used on any of its trains.

Rail history around the Elkins depot

The West Virginia Railroad Museum is right next door to the Elkins depot. About 37 miles south, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is where the railroad's steam trips begin, and the railroad's Green Bank and Durbin exhibits are part of the same operation, so they fit easily into a day on the line. See every train museum in West Virginia for more.

Every train museum in West Virginia

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

On the Bald Knob trip, riders look down from the mountaintop and can spot a giant radio telescope far below in the valley, and I love picturing small faces scanning the valley trying to find it. In our book Rally gets his own window moment: he gazes out an arched window at the ocean and says hello to a white bird. Kids learning to read can trace that page in our coloring pages.

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
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

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.

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More for train families

Work or volunteer at Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad?

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

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad: 20 rider questions

How much are Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad tickets?

As of October 2026, the Bald Knob trip is $85 for adults 12 to 64, $83 for seniors 65 and up, $81 for military and veterans with ID, and $65 for ages 4 to 11. Children 3 and under ride free but need a ticket. The Whittaker Station trip starts at $65. Taxes and fees are extra.

Do Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad prices go up in the fall?

Yes. Fall rates add $10 to each ticket, and as of October 2026 they apply to every departure from mid-September, starting September 16, through the end of October. Fall is a popular time to ride, so advance online reservations are recommended to guarantee your seats.

What is the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad schedule?

Excursions run from April through December, but trains do not run every day. The Bald Knob trip, for example, runs May through October and departs at 12:00 pm only on operating days. Check the railroad's booking calendar for the dates and times of each trip before you plan your drive.

Does the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad run a Polar Express?

The railroad lists holiday trains and special events among its offerings, and its season runs into December. It does not describe the holiday lineup in detail online outside its calendar, so check the calendar at mountainrailwv.com or call (304) 636-9477 to find out which holiday trains are running this year.

Is the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad connected to the Potomac Eagle?

They are separate excursion operations in different parts of the state. The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad runs trains from Elkins, Durbin and Cass, while the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad runs from Romney, about 66 miles away. Both run on lines owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority, and both make a good rail weekend.

Where does the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad depart from?

Trains leave from historic depots in Elkins, Durbin and Cass, and Cheat Bridge is also listed as a departure point. The company office is at 315 Railroad Avenue in Elkins. Bald Knob trips board at 12363 Cass Road in Cass, so check which depot your trip uses before you set your GPS.

What trips does the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad offer?

Trips include the Bald Knob and Whittaker Station steam trips from Cass, the Greenbrier Express between Cass and Durbin, and the New Tygart Flyer from Elkins. Excursions range from 2 to 5.5 hours, and many include a meal on board. Special trains include a Murder Mystery Train, railfan weekends and holiday trains.

Does the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad run the Cass Scenic Railroad?

Yes. The railroad began operating the Cass Scenic Railroad in 2015, so the Bald Knob and Whittaker Station steam trips are booked through it. It also operates the West Virginia State Rail Authority's Durbin Railroad and the West Virginia Central. All of its passenger trips are sold under the Mountain Rail Adventures name.

Is food included on Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad trains?

On many trips, yes. The Bald Knob ticket includes a hobo lunch of a cold sandwich, chips, a cookie, applesauce and bottled water. Children 3 and under get applesauce, chips and a cookie only, so bring a lunch for them. The New Tygart Flyer also includes lunch.

How long is the Bald Knob trip on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad?

The Bald Knob trip takes about five hours for the 22-mile round trip, 11 miles each way. The steam train climbs 2,390 feet from Cass to the overlook at about 4,842 feet on Back Allegheny Mountain. From there you can spot the Green Bank Telescope in the valley below.

Is the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad wheelchair accessible?

Not fully. On the Bald Knob train, Car 8 is set up for wheelchair users, but it must be reserved in advance. It also holds the train's only restroom. Call (304) 636-9477 before you book to arrange the accessible car and ask about other trips.

Are there restrooms on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad trains?

On the Bald Knob train there is one restroom on board, in Car 8. Restrooms are also available at both stops, the Bald Knob overlook and the Whittaker Station picnic area. With small children, plan restroom breaks around those stops on the five-hour trip.

Is the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad good for young kids?

Yes. Trips are listed for all ages, and the two-hour Whittaker Station steam trip from Cass is the easiest first ride for toddlers. Longer trips like Bald Knob or the Greenbrier Express suit kids who can handle five hours or more. Children 3 and under ride free on Bald Knob with a ticket.

Does the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad offer overnight packages?

Yes. A Durbin and Cass two-night package, starting at $750 per couple as of October 2026, combines the Greenbrier Express, a Bald Knob trip and stays in Cass company houses. An Elkins package pairs the New Tygart Flyer with hotel nights and the Gandy Dancer Dinner Theatre. Call (304) 636-9477, ext. 300.

Does the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad offer group rates?

Yes. Groups of 25 or more paying guests qualify for group rates. Pricing is quoted by the group sales manager, and sample itineraries combine several trains with hotel stays, dinner theater, the Cass showcase and a tour of the West Virginia Railroad Museum. Call (304) 636-9477, ext. 108.

What is the Parade of Steam at the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad?

The Parade of Steam is a June weekend focused on the railroad's steam operations, and it is busy enough that some packages exclude those dates. Railfans should check the calendar early in the year for the exact weekend and book quickly. Call (304) 636-9477 for details.

Does the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad sell gift cards?

Yes. Gift cards come in any amount, never expire, and can be used toward a reservation on any of the railroad's trains. They are delivered by email within seconds of purchase, which makes them an easy last-minute gift for a train fan. Call to buy one.

Is there a gift shop at the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad?

Yes. The railroad runs the Rail & Trail Store in Elkins, which you can reach at (304) 636-9477, ext. 111, or by email at railandtrail@mountainrail.com. It is a handy stop for souvenirs before or after a trip on the New Tygart Flyer.

How do I contact the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad?

Call (304) 636-9477; option 5 reaches advance ticket questions, and general reservations are at ext. 107. Email ticketinfo@mountainrail.com, or use the contact form on mountainrailwv.com. The mailing address is PO Box 702, Elkins, WV 26241, and the office is at 315 Railroad Avenue.

What is near the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad in Elkins?

The West Virginia Railroad Museum is next door to the Elkins depot, and a one-hour tour fits easily before a train. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is about 37 miles away, and the Green Bank Observatory, near the foot of Bald Knob, is part of some of the railroad's group itineraries.

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