This 4-hour Classic Prepare Journey Via Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley Is One of many Finest Methods to See Fall Foliage

Fall in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is second to none. The valley runs alongside the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Nationwide Park and has greater than its fair proportion of deciduous timber, together with oaks, birch, poplar, sumac, and maple. When the climate cools, leaf peepers make their option to the valley to observe as it’s flooded with yellows, oranges, and reds. 

Shenandoah Valley’s Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway are in style methods to see the autumn colours, however they’ve acquired nothing on the classic steam practice that escorts vacationers on a four-hour tour of Virginia’s peak fall foliage.

The legendary Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611, is a steam locomotive that’s deemed “probably the most highly effective steam passenger locomotive ever constructed.” Driving on a steam practice that was in-built 1950 is thrilling sufficient, however this fall the practice shall be transporting passengers by means of the Shenandoah Valley throughout its peak fall foliage season — early October by means of early November.

The season’s roundtrip journeys aboard the 611, also referred to as the “Queen of Steam,” depart twice every day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Goshen, Virginia. The practice then steams east, winding its means by means of the George Washington and Jefferson Nationwide Forest, a 1.8 million acre expanse that’s dwelling to over 40 species of timber, together with colourful oaks, hickories, and maples.

From the dense, colourful forest, the 611 will chug previous Augusta County’s idyllic working farms earlier than reaching the historic metropolis of Staunton, Virginia. In Staunton, the practice will come to a brief cease with out disembarking earlier than making the return journey again to Goshen.

The 611 locomotive pulls 11 passenger automobiles, which supply 4 courses of seating. Essentially the most primary choice, Normal Coach, begins at $99 for a roundtrip ticket. There may be additionally desk seating, seats with extra legroom, and commentary automotive seats at a further value. The very best-class choice aboard the 611 permits vacationers to e-book the particular dome automotive, which has a view-enhancing glass ceiling. Charges for a dome space desk are $249, roundtrip.

As well as, all vacationers have entry to the second stage of the commentary automotive, and there are concessions out there for buy. Those that e-book a higher-class fare are served a complimentary drink and snack through the journey.

The 611’s fall foliage journey kicks off on Friday, Oct. 6, and runs each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday by means of Sunday, Nov. 5. There are two every day departure occasions, 9 a.m. and a couple of:30 p.m. Reservations can be found now at VirginiaScenicRailway.com.