West Virginia Central Railroad in Elkins, West Virginia
Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesA working freight line; passenger trips from Elkins are sold as Mountain Rail Adventures
The West Virginia Central Railroad keeps former Western Maryland track around Elkins in daily use as a state-owned common carrier, linking Randolph and Barbour county industries to the national rail network.
- Created in 1998
- Former Western Maryland trackage
- Owned by the State of West Virginia
- Run by the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley
- Shops and yard in Belington
West Virginia Central Railroad at a glance
- Hours
- No public site to visit; passenger trips run on scheduled days from Elkins
- Admission
- Not applicable; book passenger excursions through Mountain Rail
- Train rides
- Passenger excursions from the Elkins depot, booked through the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad
- Best for
- Rail fans interested in Western Maryland lines and short line freight
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to West Virginia Central 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.
Rally Takes the Train
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Western Maryland rails kept at work around Elkins
The West Virginia Central Railroad, reporting mark WVC, was created in 1998 to operate a group of former Western Maryland subdivisions in north-central West Virginia. Its main line runs from Tygart Junction southeast through Elkins and Bowden, then on toward Cheat Bridge, Spruce and Laurel Bank at the southern end, with shops and a storage yard in Belington.
The State of West Virginia owns the line, and the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad operates it. As a common carrier, the WVC serves any customer along its route who asks, moving timber products, aggregates, farm supplies and manufactured goods between Tygart Junction and Elkins. It switches cars onto customers' sidings, serves two transload sites where freight moves between trucks and railcars, and hands traffic to CSX through the Appalachian & Ohio Railroad at Tygart Junction. Rail guides note that scenic, dinner and holiday passenger trains also run out of Elkins on this mountain trackage.
How visitors can see the line
There is no museum building or freight tour. The way to experience this part of West Virginia by rail is to book a passenger excursion from the Elkins depot through the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad's Mountain Rail Adventures, such as the New Tygart Flyer, which includes lunch.
Don’t miss
- The Elkins depotPassenger excursions sold by the line's operator leave from here, and the West Virginia Railroad Museum is next door.
- Tygart JunctionThe northern end of the line, where the WVC hands freight to CSX through the Appalachian & Ohio Railroad.
Riding instead of watching freight
There is nothing for children to visit on the freight side, so plan around a passenger trip from Elkins. The operator's excursions are listed for all ages, and a stop at the West Virginia Railroad Museum next door to the Elkins depot makes a good add-on.
Plan your visit: tips for West Virginia Central Railroad
- Book passenger trips through Mountain Rail at (304) 636-9477.
- Freight questions go to the operator's freight office, not the ticket line.
- Pair an Elkins train ride with the West Virginia Railroad Museum next door to the depot.
Who runs the West Virginia Central
The State of West Virginia owns the line, and the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad runs it, with a superintendent of railroad operations overseeing freight service and business development. Riding the operator's passenger trains from Elkins is the most direct way for visitors to support it.
Where to ride and learn around Elkins
For a train ride, start with the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, which operates the WVC, and its Mountain Rail Adventures trips. The West Virginia Railroad Museum is in Elkins too, and Cass is about 37 miles away. See West Virginia train museums for more.
- Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RailroadDurbin / Elkins, WV · same town
- West Virginia Railroad MuseumElkins, WV · same town
- Cass Scenic Railroad State ParkCass, WV · about 37 mi
- Potomac Eagle Scenic RailroadRomney, WV · about 66 mi
- Staunton Historic Train StationStaunton, VA · about 68 mi
- Virginia Scenic RailwayStaunton, VA · about 68 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Freight trains on this line carry timber and stone for the businesses along the track, and I like telling my kids that every railcar is somebody's packed bag. In our book Rally does his own packing before the trip: his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball, the things a corgi cannot travel without. You can read how my mom first dreamed up his ride 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
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- Christmas train rides in West Virginia
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- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at West Virginia Central 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.
West Virginia Central Railroad: 20 common questions
What is the West Virginia Central Railroad?
The West Virginia Central Railroad, or WVC, is a common carrier freight railroad owned by the State of West Virginia and operated by the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. It serves Randolph and Barbour counties on former Western Maryland track around Elkins, providing rail service to any customer along the line who requests it.
When was the West Virginia Central Railroad created?
The West Virginia Central Railroad was created in 1998 to operate a series of former Western Maryland subdivisions in north-central West Virginia. Today it is owned by the state and run by the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, which also operates passenger excursions in the region.
Is there a West Virginia Central Railroad map?
The operator does not post a detailed map on its WVC page. Rail guides describe the main line running from Tygart Junction in the north southeast through Elkins and Bowden, then down to Cheat Bridge, Spruce and Laurel Bank at the south end, with shops and a storage yard in Belington.
Does the West Virginia Central Railroad publish a locomotive roster?
The operator does not post a WVC locomotive roster online. Freight runs on demand between Tygart Junction and Elkins under the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. For equipment questions, rail fans can contact the operator's freight office through mountainrailwv.com or call (304) 636-9477.
Is the West Virginia Central the same as the West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway?
No. The West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway was a separate railroad of the late 1800s and early 1900s, with main lines radiating from Elkins north to Cumberland, west to Belington, south to Huttonsville and east to Durbin. Today's West Virginia Central was created in 1998 on former Western Maryland lines.
Is the West Virginia Central the same as the Central West Virginia and Southern Railroad?
They are different names. The West Virginia Central Railroad is the state-owned line around Elkins operated by the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The operator does not mention any railroad called the Central West Virginia and Southern, so check the full name carefully if you are researching a specific line.
Can you ride the West Virginia Central Railroad?
The WVC itself is a freight railroad, but its operator, the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, sells passenger excursions from the Elkins depot as Mountain Rail Adventures, including the New Tygart Flyer with lunch on board. Rail guides note scenic, dinner and holiday trains from Elkins on this trackage. Call (304) 636-9477 to book.
Who operates the West Virginia Central Railroad?
The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad operates the West Virginia Central for the State of West Virginia, which owns the line. The operator is headquartered at 315 Railroad Avenue in Elkins and also runs the Cass Scenic Railroad and other excursion trains under the Mountain Rail name.
Where does the West Virginia Central Railroad run?
Freight moves on demand between Tygart Junction and Elkins, serving Randolph and Barbour counties. Rail guides describe the wider system continuing southeast through Bowden toward Cheat Bridge, Spruce and Laurel Bank. At Tygart Junction the WVC connects with CSX through the Appalachian & Ohio Railroad.
What does the West Virginia Central Railroad haul?
The WVC hauls timber products, aggregates, agricultural supplies and manufactured goods for customers along its line. It also switches cars between the main track and customers' sidings and serves two transload facilities, where freight moves between trucks and railcars for businesses without their own track.
How do I contact the West Virginia Central Railroad about freight?
Freight service and business development are handled by the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad's superintendent of railroad operations, reached at (304) 636-9477, ext. 126, or kkilgore@mountainrail.com. Ticket and passenger questions go to ticketinfo@mountainrail.com or the main number instead.
Is the West Virginia Central Railroad a museum?
No. The WVC is a working freight railroad, not a museum, and it has no exhibits or public tours. For railroad history in Elkins, visit the West Virginia Railroad Museum, which sits next door to the Elkins depot, and pair it with a passenger excursion from the same depot.
Is the West Virginia Central Railroad a former Western Maryland line?
Yes. Rail guides describe the WVC as a state-owned line using former Western Maryland trackage around Elkins. That history makes it interesting to rail fans who follow the old Western Maryland system, even though today it is run for local freight customers and passenger excursions.
Where are the West Virginia Central Railroad shops?
Rail guides place the WVC's shops and storage yard in Belington, in Barbour County, north of Elkins. The shops are part of a working railroad and are not open for tours, so rail fans should view equipment from public places only and respect railroad property.
Does the West Virginia Central Railroad connect to CSX?
Yes. At Tygart Junction, the WVC interchanges with the CSX Transportation network through the Appalachian & Ohio Railroad. That link gives shippers along the WVC access to the wider North American rail system for both inbound and outbound freight.
Are there kids' activities on the West Virginia Central Railroad?
Not on the freight side. Families looking for a train day in Elkins should book a passenger excursion with the line's operator, whose trips are listed for all ages, and add the West Virginia Railroad Museum next door to the Elkins depot.
Are there holiday trains on the West Virginia Central Railroad?
Rail guides mention holiday trains from Elkins on this trackage, and the operator lists holiday trains and special events among its offerings. Dates change each year, so check the calendar at mountainrailwv.com or call (304) 636-9477 to see what is running this season.
Does the West Virginia Central Railroad offer group trips?
Group passenger trips are booked through the operator. Groups of 25 or more paying guests qualify for group rates on Mountain Rail Adventures trains, with sample itineraries that combine the New Tygart Flyer from Elkins, the Cass trains and a West Virginia Railroad Museum tour. Call (304) 636-9477, ext. 108.
Where is the West Virginia Central Railroad office?
The operator's office is at 315 Railroad Avenue in Elkins, West Virginia 26241, with a mailing address of PO Box 702, Elkins, WV 26241. Call (304) 636-9477 for general questions, or use the contact form on mountainrailwv.com.
What rail attractions are near the West Virginia Central Railroad?
In Elkins, the West Virginia Railroad Museum sits next door to the depot, and the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad runs passenger trips from the same town. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is about 37 miles away, and the Green Bank and Durbin railway exhibits about 34 miles.
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