Virginia Scenic Railway in Staunton, Virginia

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Staunton, Virginia · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesExcursions from Staunton and Louisa; dates on the railway's calendar

The Virginia Scenic Railway carries passengers through the farmland and mountains of the Shenandoah Valley from historic downtown Staunton and from Louisa, in restored vintage railcars that include a 1948 Budd Vista-Dome from the California Zephyr.

  • Departures from Staunton and Louisa
  • 1948 Budd Vista-Dome car
  • About 3-hour Alleghany Special
  • Santa Express holiday trains
  • Dining Class with plated meals

Virginia Scenic Railway at a glance

Hours
Scheduled departures only; see the online calendar
Admission
Dining Class $136 (all ages); Adults Only Dining $141; Dome Lower Lounge $103 and Upper Level $119 (21+)
Train rides
Year-round excursions from Staunton and Louisa, plus the Autumn Special from Goshen in October
Seasonal events
The Santa Express, The Autumn Special, Sip & Savor Express, Ales & Rails, Murder on the Menu
Plan for
About 3 hours for the Alleghany Special
Best for
Couples, grandparents and families with school-age kids
Best ages
Ages 5 and up for regular trips; all ages for the Santa Express

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Virginia Scenic Railway? 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 Staunton.

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.

A short line's passenger trains in an old railroad town

Staunton has been a railroad town since the Virginia Central Railroad arrived in 1854 and turned a quiet place into a busy commercial center. Warehouses, hotels, restaurants, liveries and saloons grew up around the tracks in what is now the Wharf Historic District, and that is where today's excursions board, in the heart of downtown.

The Virginia Scenic Railway is the passenger side of the Buckingham Branch Railroad, a family-owned freight short line that grew from 17 miles of Central Virginia track into a network across the state. Its trains roll west from Staunton through Shenandoah Valley farmland toward the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, and a second departure point in Louisa serves riders from the Piedmont side.

The railway keeps adding to its fleet. Its newest car is the Silver Palace, a Vista-Dome built by the Budd Company in 1948 that once ran on the Western Pacific Railroad's California Zephyr between Salt Lake City and Oakland. In 2025 the railway comprehensively upgraded and modernized the car and renamed it Shenandoah, after the valley it now crosses. Along with regular scenic runs, the crew stages themed trains such as Sip & Savor wine tastings, Ales & Rails, Murder on the Menu and the holiday Santa Express, and in October it runs a limited Autumn Special from Victoria Station in Goshen.

Choosing your seat: coach, dining or dome

Your ticket is tied to a class of service, so choosing a car is part of planning. Dining Class, offered from both Staunton and Louisa, seats riders at full tables with free-standing chairs for a meal on board. From Staunton you can also pick Adults Only Dining with plated meals, or one of the Vista-Dome options: the six-guest Lower Lounge with oversized swivel chairs and a walk-up bar, or the upper level, where custom seats rotate mid-ride so everyone faces forward for the view.

The Alleghany Special from Staunton runs about three hours with narration, heading west past farms, wooded hills and mountain views. In October, the Autumn Special adds four different excursions from Goshen for four weekends only, timed to the valley's fall color.

Don’t miss

  1. The Vista-Dome ShenandoahBuilt by Budd in 1948 as the Silver Palace for the California Zephyr, it was rebuilt by the railway in 2025 and gives the highest view on the train.
  2. The Alleghany SpecialThe signature Staunton run, about three hours west through the Shenandoah Valley toward the national forests.
  3. The Santa ExpressThe railway's holiday train, a favorite for families with young kids; it books up, so reserve early.
  4. Staunton's Wharf Historic DistrictThe departure area grew up around the railroad after 1854, so arrive early to walk the old warehouse streets.
  5. The Autumn Special from GoshenFour October weekends, four different routes from Victoria Station, and limited seating.

Santa trains and all-ages seats

Families should look at the all-ages classes: Dining Class welcomes riders of every age, while the dome's Lower Lounge, the upper dome level and Adults Only Dining are limited to guests 21 and over. The Santa Express is the railway's best-known family outing, so plan and book it well ahead.

A regular excursion runs about three hours, which is long for toddlers. Pack quiet activities, and pick the shorter or holiday trains for very young riders. Outside food and drinks are not allowed in the lounge class, so check the railway's policies page before you pack snacks.

Plan your visit: tips for Virginia Scenic Railway

  • Book your class of service ahead; dome and lounge seats are limited.
  • Upper dome seats are sold only in pairs or groups.
  • Box lunches ($15) can be added when you reserve Lower Lounge seats.
  • Groups book only in set windows, not in summer peak, fall foliage or on holiday trains.
  • Arrive early in Staunton to explore the Wharf Historic District.

The Santa Express is the Virginia Scenic Railway's holiday train and the trip most families search for each winter. Tickets go on sale through the railway's website, and seats on holiday trains are not available for group bookings, so individual families should reserve early. For more December options, see our guide to Christmas train rides in Virginia.

Run by a Virginia freight railroad

The Virginia Scenic Railway is hosted by the Buckingham Branch Railroad, a family-owned short line that moves freight across Central Virginia and runs these excursions alongside its everyday work. Riding, buying gift cards, and choosing a themed or holiday train are the best ways to keep passenger service on its rails.

More railroad stops from Staunton

The Staunton Historic Train Station is right in town. The C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge is about 47 miles southwest, and Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in West Virginia is about 49 miles away. See our Virginia train museum list for more.

Every train museum in 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.

The upper seats in this railway's dome car turn halfway through the trip so every rider faces forward for the view. I love that. In our book, Rally's favorite spot is an arched train window, where he watches the ocean and greets a white bird. Our train is the Pacific Surfliner out of San Diego, far from the Shenandoah, but the joy of a big window is the same. My kids can color that scene on 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 Virginia Scenic Railway?

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.

Virginia Scenic Railway: 20 questions riders ask

Where is the Virginia Scenic Railway?

The Virginia Scenic Railway departs from historic downtown Staunton, Virginia, at 415 Bridge Street, Staunton, VA 24401, in the Wharf Historic District. It also runs trips from a second station in Louisa, and its October Autumn Special leaves from Victoria Station in Goshen. Check your ticket for your departure point.

Where does the Virginia Scenic Railway go?

From Staunton, the Alleghany Special heads west through Shenandoah Valley farmland, wooded hills and mountain views toward the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Louisa trips explore the countryside on that side of the state, and the Autumn Special runs four different routes from Goshen. Routes vary by excursion, so read each trip's page.

How long is a Virginia Scenic Railway ride?

The Alleghany Special from Staunton is about three hours. Themed trains vary: Sip & Savor runs about three hours, and Murder on the Menu about two and a half. Plan extra time to park and board, especially on busy fall and holiday weekends.

How much are Virginia Scenic Railway tickets?

As of October 2026, Dining Class is $136 for all ages, Adults Only Dining from Staunton is $141, and Vista-Dome seats are $103 in the Lower Lounge and $119 on the Upper Level, both 21 and over. Sip & Savor starts at $132. Prices vary by trip, so check the calendar when booking.

Are there Virginia Scenic Railway ticket discounts?

The railway does not advertise standing discount codes. Groups can book set-price experiences, such as Staunton Coach Class at $80 per person with a boxed lunch, during set windows: January to May, August to mid-September and early November. Gift cards are also sold on the website.

What is the Virginia Scenic Railway schedule?

The railway runs on scheduled departures rather than daily hours. Its online calendar lists every Staunton, Louisa and specialty trip by date. In October the four-weekend Autumn Special from Goshen is added. Call 866-440-8356 if you need help choosing a date.

Does the Virginia Scenic Railway leave from Louisa?

Yes. Louisa is the railway's second departure point, with its own excursions and Dining Class service, which seats riders at tables for a meal on board. The railway's website has pages on getting to Louisa, places to stay and dining on board. Check the Louisa Experiences page for current trips.

Does the Virginia Scenic Railway have a Santa train?

Yes. The Santa Express is the railway's holiday train and a favorite with families. Tickets are sold on virginiascenicrailway.com, and holiday trains cannot be booked as group reservations. Seats go quickly, so reserve as soon as the season's dates are posted.

Is there a dinner train on the Virginia Scenic Railway?

Yes. Dining Class, offered from both Staunton and Louisa, includes a meal at spacious tables, and Staunton also offers Adults Only Dining with plated meal service. Alcoholic drinks, including local wine and craft beer, are sold on board. Specialty dining trips include Murder on the Menu and Sip & Savor.

What is the Vista-Dome car on the Virginia Scenic Railway?

It is a 1948 Budd Company Vista-Dome, originally the Silver Palace on the Western Pacific Railroad's California Zephyr between Salt Lake City and Oakland. The railway rebuilt and modernized it in 2025 and renamed it Shenandoah. Its upper level and Lower Lounge are adults only, 21 and over.

Does the Virginia Scenic Railway run steam trains?

The railway's regular excursions are listed by class of service, not by locomotive. People also search for Summer of Steam and 611 tickets, which refer to special steam events with Norfolk & Western 611, owned by the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke. Check both websites for steam dates.

Is the Virginia Scenic Railway good for kids?

Yes for the right trip. Dining Class welcomes all ages, and the Santa Express is made for families. Dome seats and Adults Only Dining are 21 and over, so children cannot sit there. A three-hour ride is long for toddlers, so bring quiet activities.

Is the Virginia Scenic Railway worth it?

Riders often praise the three-hour Alleghany Special for its farmland and mountain views from vintage cars, and the restored dome car adds something rare. It costs more than a short tourist train because most classes include a meal, so it suits a special occasion or a fall color day.

Where can I read Virginia Scenic Railway reviews?

Tripadvisor has a page for the Virginia Scenic Railway with rider reviews of routes like the Alleghany Special, and Google reviews and Reddit threads also cover it. For questions about policies, refunds or complaints, contact the railway at info@virginiascenicrailway.com or 866-440-8356.

Where do you park for the Virginia Scenic Railway?

The railway's website has a Getting to Staunton page and a Getting to Louisa page with directions for each departure point. Parking details are not posted on the main ticket pages, so check those travel pages or call 866-440-8356 before your trip, especially for busy holiday departures.

Can I book a group trip on the Virginia Scenic Railway?

Yes, through the inquiry form on the website. Groups depart from Staunton or Louisa in set windows: January to May, August to mid-September and early November. Groups are not taken in peak summer, late fall foliage, on holiday trains or on specialty trains. Louisa group Dining Class is $125 per person.

What is the Virginia Scenic Railway Autumn Special?

The Autumn Special is a limited October program of four different excursions departing from Victoria Station in Goshen over four weekends. Each has its own route and length through fall mountain and valley scenery. It is outside the regular schedule and seating is limited, so book early.

Can you bring food on the Virginia Scenic Railway?

Not in the Lower Lounge, where outside food and drinks are not permitted; box lunches can be added for $15 when you reserve. Dining classes include a meal, and drinks are sold on board. Check the railway's Policies and Procedures page for current rules on each class.

Who runs the Virginia Scenic Railway?

The Virginia Scenic Railway is hosted by the Buckingham Branch Railroad, a family-owned freight short line founded in 1988 in Dillwyn, Virginia. The company runs the passenger excursions on its rails alongside its regular freight business across Central Virginia.

What train museums are near the Virginia Scenic Railway?

The Staunton Historic Train Station is right in town. The C&O Railway Heritage Center and Historic C&O Depot in Clifton Forge are about 47 miles away, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in West Virginia about 49 miles, and the West Virginia Railroad Museum in Elkins about 68 miles.

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