Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad in Romney, West Virginia

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Romney, West Virginia · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesTrough trips from spring into fall, plus holiday trains; see the 2026 schedule

Since 1991 the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad has carried riders from Romney into the Trough, a remote canyon on the South Branch of the Potomac River that only walkers, boaters and this train can reach, and where bald eagles make their home.

  • Running since fall 1991
  • Bald eagles in the Trough
  • 1952 F7A locomotive No. 722
  • Five classes of service
  • North Pole Express in winter
  • Group rates for 20 or more

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad at a glance

Hours
Scheduled departures only; see the 2026 schedule on the railroad's site
Admission
As of 2026: Green Spring from $49, North Pole Express from $62, Trough Canyon from $74, All Day Petersburg and Holiday Trough from $114
Train rides
Trough Canyon (3 hr), Sunset Trough, Green Spring Special (1.5 hr), All Day Petersburg, Holiday Trough, North Pole Express (1.25 hr)
Seasonal events
North Pole Express, Holiday Trough, Sunset Trough, All Day Petersburg
Plan for
1.25 to 9 hours depending on the trip
Best for
Families, eagle watchers and dining-car fans
Best ages
All ages; Green Spring and North Pole Express suit preschoolers
Parking
Parking available, including for tour buses
Accessibility
Not ADA accessible due to historic equipment; give at least 20 days' notice for help

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Potomac Eagle Scenic 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 Romney.

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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

A business group's dream and a canyon full of eagles

The idea came from a West Virginia Public Service Commission study, which suggested that a scenic excursion train could succeed on the South Branch Valley Railroad. Members of the Romney Business and Professional Organization took up the cause, and after a few years the Potomac Eagle became the company to make it happen. In the fall of 1991 the Eagle Canon Passenger Car Company began running trains from a siding called Wappocomo Station, just north of Romney.

By coincidence, a few bald eagles chose that same stretch of years to settle in the Trough, the narrow six-mile passage the tracks share with the river. Eagles have been part of the ride ever since. They nest on the rugged canyon walls and reuse their nests, and while no sighting is guaranteed, the railroad calls it a pretty good bet that riders will see at least one.

The line itself is much older. The South Branch Valley Railroad runs 52.4 miles from Petersburg to Green Spring, where it meets the CSX main line between Cumberland and Martinsburg, and it has served the valley for well over 100 years, crossing Hampshire, Hardy and Grant counties. Today it is owned and operated by the West Virginia State Rail Authority, headquartered in Moorefield, and it still carries freight such as lumber, lime and plastic pellets.

The railroad's own equipment has stories too. Its first locomotive, a 1952 F7A, was found by then-president David Corbitt and retired CSX engineer Charlie Sayre in a Youngstown, Ohio salvage yard, repaired with help from its owners, and brought to Wappocomo Station on September 1, 2002.

Through the Trough to Sycamore Bridge

The signature Trough Canyon trip is a narrated three-hour ride south from Wappocomo Station through the Trough to Sycamore Bridge and back, with the river on one side and steep canyon walls rising on the other. Watch the cliffs and treetops for bald eagles, adults soaring from riverbanks and juveniles darting across the canyon. One Friday a month from May through September, the Sunset Trough makes the same run as the light fades.

Shorter and longer trips fill out the schedule. The 1.5-hour Green Spring Special heads north past farmland and rock cuts along the South Branch, and the All Day Petersburg trip, on the last Saturday of the month from April to November, includes a layover to explore the shops and restaurants of Petersburg. Riders choose among five classes of service, from coach with concessions up to Club Service with a five-course spread of heavy hors d'oeuvres in climate-controlled cars with large picture windows.

Don’t miss

  1. The TroughA remote six-mile canyon on the South Branch of the Potomac, reachable only on foot, by boat or by this train, and home to nesting bald eagles.
  2. B&O F7A No. 722Built in 1952 as Bessemer & Lake Erie 722 to haul iron ore, rescued from a salvage yard, and repainted in B&O colors in 2010 for the South Branch Valley Railroad's 100th anniversary.
  3. Canadian Pacific No. 8250A 1955 Canadian-built diesel, originally CP 8516, delivered to the railroad in November 2017 and back in service on June 29, 2018.
  4. Vintage club carsThe railroad's older passenger cars host its dining classes, with cushioned chairs, big windows and a car attendant on Club Service trips.
  5. The cabooseThe railroad shares the history of its caboose alongside its locomotives and club cars, a reminder that this is still a working freight line.

Eagle spotting and a trip to the North Pole

Kids can treat the Trough trip as a three-hour eagle hunt, scanning the cliffs and treetops while the narration tells the story of the valley. For younger children, the 1.5-hour Green Spring Special is a gentler first ride, and in winter the 1.25-hour North Pole Express whisks families away to meet the holiday magic aboard the train.

Coach, Standard Dining and Premium Dining are open to all ages, while Club Service and Superior Dining are for riders 17 and over. Because of the historic equipment, the trains are not ADA accessible, but the railroad asks for at least 20 days' notice so it can try to accommodate riders who need help.

Plan your visit: tips for Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

  • Book the Trough Canyon trip for the best chance of seeing bald eagles.
  • Club Service and Superior Dining are for ages 17 and up; pick Premium Dining or coach with kids.
  • Groups should arrive an hour early; the all aboard call comes about 30 minutes before departure.
  • Groups of 20 or more get discounted rates when they book ahead.

Each winter the North Pole Express carries families on a 1.25-hour trip to the North Pole, with departures from 1 pm into the evening on select dates, and grown-ups can book the Holiday Trough, a three-hour dining trip through the canyon. Both fill up, so check the schedule early, and browse our list of Christmas train rides in West Virginia for more holiday ideas.

Crews, engineers and a valley that backed the idea

The Potomac Eagle grew from a local business group's dream, and its people have kept it going with hands-on work, from the employees who repaired the No. 722 to the engineers who bring trains into Wappocomo Station. The West Virginia State Rail Authority maintains the South Branch Valley Railroad itself. Riders support the railroad by booking trips, choosing a dining class, or bringing a group of 20 or more.

Rail trips across the Maryland line

About 20 miles away in Cumberland, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad pairs well with a Potomac Eagle weekend, and the Frostburg Depot is a similar distance. The B&O Railroad Roundhouse in Martinsburg is about 43 miles east. For more, see all of West Virginia's train museums.

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.

People ride the Potomac Eagle hoping to spot a bald eagle on the canyon wall, and I understand that hope completely. In our book Rally looks out an arched train window at the ocean and greets a white bird, as if it came just to see him. My mom imagined that moment long before I painted it. If your kids want to color their own bird, try 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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Potomac Eagle Scenic 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.

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad: 20 questions riders ask

Where is the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad located?

The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is at 149 Eagle Drive in Romney, West Virginia 26757, in Hampshire County. Trains depart from Wappocomo Station, a siding just north of Romney. Enter the Eagle Drive address in your GPS and plan to arrive early, since boarding begins before the all aboard call.

How much are Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad tickets?

As of October 2026, prices start at $49 for the Green Spring Special, $62 for the North Pole Express, $74 for the Trough Canyon and Sunset Trough trips, and $114 for the All Day Petersburg trip and the Holiday Trough. Prices rise with the class of service you choose. Check potomaceagle.com for current fares.

What are the Potomac Eagle ticket options and packages?

On the Trough, Sunset and Petersburg trips there are five classes: Standard Coach with concessions, Standard Dining with a bagged lunch, Premium Dining with a three-course meal, Superior Dining with four courses, and Club Service with five courses of heavy hors d'oeuvres. Superior and Club are for ages 17 and up.

Are there Potomac Eagle discount codes, promo codes or Groupon deals?

The railroad does not post promo codes or Groupon deals on its own site. The discount it does advertise is for groups: parties of 20 or more get reduced fares on most excursions when they book in advance. Email groupsales@potomaceagle.com or call (304) 424-0736 to ask about current offers.

What is the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad schedule?

The 2026 schedule is posted on the railroad's site, where you pick a date to see available trips. All Day Petersburg runs on the last Saturday of the month from April to November, Sunset Trough on one Friday a month from May to September, and the North Pole Express in winter. Excursions may change.

What route does the Potomac Eagle train take?

Most trips start at Wappocomo Station north of Romney. The Trough trips head south through the Trough to Sycamore Bridge and back, the Green Spring Special heads north toward Green Spring, and the all-day trip continues to Petersburg. The line runs 52.4 miles from Petersburg to Green Spring along the South Branch of the Potomac.

Is there a map of the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad route?

The railroad runs on the South Branch Valley Railroad, which follows the South Branch of the Potomac River for 52.4 miles from Petersburg north to Green Spring, crossing Hampshire, Hardy and Grant counties. Trips board at Wappocomo Station north of Romney, with the Trough to the south. Check potomaceagle.com for a current route map.

Will I see bald eagles on the Potomac Eagle?

Very likely, though not guaranteed. Bald eagles nest on the walls of the Trough and reuse their nests year after year, and the railroad says it is a pretty good bet you will see at least one, with some trips seeing several. Spring brings the return of the Trough Canyon trips, with adults and juveniles both active in the canyon.

What food is served on the Potomac Eagle?

It depends on your class. Coach riders can buy from concessions, Standard Dining includes a hot or cold bagged lunch, Premium Dining serves three courses, Superior Dining four courses, and Club Service five courses of heavy hors d'oeuvres. Meals are prepared on board, and Club and Superior are for ages 17 and up.

How long is the Potomac Eagle Trough Canyon ride?

The Trough Canyon trip is a narrated three-hour round trip south through the Trough to Sycamore Bridge and back. It is the railroad's most popular excursion and the best one for eagle watching. If three hours is too long for small children, the 1.5-hour Green Spring Special is a shorter option.

Does the Potomac Eagle have a Christmas train?

Yes. The North Pole Express is a 1.25-hour holiday trip for families, starting from $62 as of October 2026, with First Class and Standard Coach options and departures at 1, 3, 5 and 7 pm on select dates. Adults can also book the Holiday Trough, a three-hour dining trip through the canyon.

What is the All Day Petersburg trip on the Potomac Eagle?

The All Day Petersburg trip runs on the last Saturday of the month from April to November and lasts about nine hours, including a layover in Petersburg to explore its shops and restaurants. Fares start at $114 as of October 2026. It is the longest ride on the line, best for older kids and adults.

Is the Potomac Eagle good for young kids?

Yes, with the right trip. Coach, Standard Dining and Premium Dining are open to all ages, and the 1.5-hour Green Spring Special and 1.25-hour North Pole Express are easiest for toddlers. The three-hour Trough trip suits kids who can sit for a while, and eagle spotting keeps many of them busy.

Is the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad wheelchair accessible?

No. Because of its historic equipment, the Potomac Eagle is not ADA accessible. The railroad says it tries its best to accommodate everyone and asks riders to let it know at least 20 days before the excursion. Call (304) 424-0736 to discuss your needs before booking.

Does the Potomac Eagle offer group trips?

Yes. Groups of 20 or more get discounted fares on most excursions when they book in advance, and tour buses get parking plus a seat on the train for the driver. Groups should arrive an hour before departure, and seating is assigned. Email groupsales@potomaceagle.com or call (304) 424-0736.

What should I know about weather on the Potomac Eagle?

Trips run on their posted schedule, and the cars used for Club Service are climate controlled with large picture windows. The railroad does not post a weather policy online. Dress for the season if you plan to step outside at the station. If severe weather is forecast, call (304) 424-0736 to check on your departure.

What locomotives does the Potomac Eagle use?

The railroad's first locomotive is F7A No. 722, built in 1952 for the Bessemer & Lake Erie and now painted in B&O colors. Its third, Canadian Pacific No. 8250, was built in 1955 as CP 8516 and returned to service on June 29, 2018. The railroad also shares histories of its vintage club cars and caboose.

When did the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad start?

The Potomac Eagle began running in the fall of 1991, when the Eagle Canon Passenger Car Company started trips from Wappocomo Station north of Romney. The idea grew out of a state Public Service Commission study and was championed by the Romney Business and Professional Organization.

Are there Potomac Eagle reviews and photos online?

Yes. The railroad has a Tripadvisor listing where riders post reviews and photos, and it shares trip photos on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok under the name potomaceagle. Recent posts are a good way to see the canyon and the dining cars before you choose a trip.

What train attractions are near the Potomac Eagle?

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in Cumberland and the Frostburg Depot are both about 20 miles away, and the B&O Railroad Roundhouse in Martinsburg is about 43 miles east. The Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum is around 58 miles away, so the area makes a good base for a rail weekend.

Keep exploring

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Kelsey Cecil
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