Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad
Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad
4.5
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About
Discover West Virginia by rail! The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad offers Mountain Rail Adventures that depart the depots of Elkins and Cass – April through December. These remote wilderness excursions on historic steam-driven locomotives and vintage diesel-powered passenger trains explore the more remote areas of the Mountain State where even autos cannot access!
Elkins, United States
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Travellers' Choice
2024
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Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
709 reviews
Excellent
487
Very good
137
Average
52
Poor
22
Terrible
11
Walter53
119 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
This is a four hour trip through the mountains with a stop at the water fall on the Cheat River.
Definitely recommend the upgrade to the Parlor Car- well worth the extra few dollars for better viewing, sit down table service for lunch, and free soda, lemonade, etc.
The regular coaches are tables for four, not regular railcar seating. All tickets include lunch, either buffet, or custom-made sandwiches in Parlor Car.
Definitely recommend the upgrade to the Parlor Car- well worth the extra few dollars for better viewing, sit down table service for lunch, and free soda, lemonade, etc.
The regular coaches are tables for four, not regular railcar seating. All tickets include lunch, either buffet, or custom-made sandwiches in Parlor Car.
Written 1 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
clarketheshark
2 contributions
Dec 2014
Do NOT arrive an hour early, like suggested! You are told to do this so you can have your tickets scanned and visit the Elves.
It takes 15 seconds to scan your tickets, you wait in a tiny gift shop for 30 minutes and, go to another tiny room with absolutely nothing for your kids to do. Elves making wooden toys...as the website says? NO. A zillion people get packed like sardines in a small room with an elf who has coloring pages and another elf at a table to write a letter to Santa. Even if your child is interested, they cannot move in that room.
This might be my least favorite experience. ...our tickets said boarding was at 6:45. It is now 6:15. We have already been bored to tears between two tiny rooms. The only alternative was to freeze outside for thirty minutes. So, what did we do?We went back to our car to wait. It was across the street so, no big deal. At 6:45, we scuttle back to the train depot to board. As we arrive, we see people everywhere we assume are boarding. No, these are the folks getting off the first train...fine, we're next to get on...NO. We are now informed we will not begin boarding for an additionsl 30 minutes! We have now been here for 90 minutes, either freezing or jam packed inside the depot with nothing to do.
By the time we got on the train, the excitement was replaced by sheer irritation.
The only positive was the train ride...what we waited forever to do. The actors were great and the kids liked it. It would have been nice to see something out of the windows, other than darkness. You do stop, at one point, to see Santa and people dressed in Christmas gear.
All in all, if we had to do it all over again, we would have arrived at 6:50 p.m., for the seven o'clock train.
It takes 15 seconds to scan your tickets, you wait in a tiny gift shop for 30 minutes and, go to another tiny room with absolutely nothing for your kids to do. Elves making wooden toys...as the website says? NO. A zillion people get packed like sardines in a small room with an elf who has coloring pages and another elf at a table to write a letter to Santa. Even if your child is interested, they cannot move in that room.
This might be my least favorite experience. ...our tickets said boarding was at 6:45. It is now 6:15. We have already been bored to tears between two tiny rooms. The only alternative was to freeze outside for thirty minutes. So, what did we do?We went back to our car to wait. It was across the street so, no big deal. At 6:45, we scuttle back to the train depot to board. As we arrive, we see people everywhere we assume are boarding. No, these are the folks getting off the first train...fine, we're next to get on...NO. We are now informed we will not begin boarding for an additionsl 30 minutes! We have now been here for 90 minutes, either freezing or jam packed inside the depot with nothing to do.
By the time we got on the train, the excitement was replaced by sheer irritation.
The only positive was the train ride...what we waited forever to do. The actors were great and the kids liked it. It would have been nice to see something out of the windows, other than darkness. You do stop, at one point, to see Santa and people dressed in Christmas gear.
All in all, if we had to do it all over again, we would have arrived at 6:50 p.m., for the seven o'clock train.
Written 14 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave H
Felton, PA89 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
Took a bit more time than I expected to board everyone. The Tour Guide was very knowledgeable, and was constantly pointing out interesting places, and telling stories. The serving of lunch was basically a disaster, it was to cramped, and you could not pass two people wide in the aisles. The destination of the High Falls was very nice, plenty of time to walk around, enjoy nature etc. All in All I'd do it again !
Written 31 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ladira
Fairfax, VA72 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
We took the Tygart Flyer, which goes to the High Falls of the Cheat River. We chose the Parlor Car and it was worth the higher cost. We had plush leather seats at a reserved table and huge windows to view the scenery. The lunch is average, a buffet with sandwich or salads and chips. Lunch is served on ascent. We were on the side that had a great view of the river most of the ride. It's a pleasant, slow journey. At one point you go through a tunnel. Later the train stops so the engine can move from pulling up front to pushing from the back. During this stop you can go out on the balcony to enjoy the fresh air or take photos.
When it reaches the area of the waterfall, the train stops for 30-40 minutes, allowing time to go to two viewing points, one above and another below the falls.
Dessert is served on the return trip, retracing the route back to Elkins.
It was a very pleasant, relaxed journey, and worth the drive from Davis, Virginia for this day trip.
When it reaches the area of the waterfall, the train stops for 30-40 minutes, allowing time to go to two viewing points, one above and another below the falls.
Dessert is served on the return trip, retracing the route back to Elkins.
It was a very pleasant, relaxed journey, and worth the drive from Davis, Virginia for this day trip.
Written 12 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JukeJointJimmy
Glen Dale, WV487 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
We chose this train because we wanted to go to the high falls of the Cheat River. The train was on time, comfortable and the lunch buffet was a welcome treat. The employees were knowledgeable and very friendly.
All the seats had a good view. However, I recommend sitting on the side of the train away from the train station as this side is along the Cheat River more than the other side.
I highly recommend this day trip.
All the seats had a good view. However, I recommend sitting on the side of the train away from the train station as this side is along the Cheat River more than the other side.
I highly recommend this day trip.
Written 7 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karensSouthernIN
New Albany, IN1,792 contributions
Oct 2011 • Couples
We took the Tygart Flyer in early October hoping to see some color in the mountains. We were not disappointed. First, we had paid a little extra for the Parlor car and it was definitely worth it. We had the table in the back corner by the engine going up. When you get close to the top, the train stops and the engine moves from the front, pulling the train, to the back and pushes it the rest of the way up. This freed up our view and we could then see everything. We got this same view all the way down. I have to say, we had the best seat! I took several pix from inside and they turned out really good. The autumn leaves were awesome. The stop at High Falls was so gorgeous. We spent about 45min. there and I took tons of pix. It was a beautiful day. You should be able to walk on uneven ground and it is a somewhat steep walk down and back up. I highly recommend this in the fall. Not sure how pretty it is at other times of the year. The food was mediocre, but I didn't make the trip for food. I was happy we took the trip.
Written 10 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neveragain032
Ohio1 contribution
We signed up for this trip April 2nd and at 4:30a.m (the morning of the trip) we received a call that the train company switched cars for our trip and they had to eliminate 2 people. . that was us. We were walking the door to meet the bus when we got the call. HORRIBLE customer service. We will never schedule another trip with them.
Written 25 October 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BonnieInPA
Pittsburgh, PA93 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
I had long wanted to take this train excursion. When a business event happened within striking distance, I jumped at the chance.
My solo ticket was the very last available - an aisle seat in Car T. After reading the reviews here at TripAdvisor, I learned that seating assignments are not always set in stone and I decided to take a chance. The seats are basically just padded metal hotel chairs (slightly more padding and fewer in the parlour car) with plain rectangular diner tables for four.
Upon check-in, I had no luck trying to upgrade to the parlour car. To my horror, my assigned seat was not only on the aisle, but my table-mates were an absolutely massive couple traveling with their 4 month old infant. Mom instantly plopped the baby onto the table and the rest of the space was taken up by her oversized handbag and a capacious diaper bag. Given Dad's rotundity, there was no way I could sit in my assigned seat without moving halfway into the aisle.
In utter despair, I stood as the train left the station. Thankfully, as soon as the train began to move, it was announced that the buffet car was open. Needless to say, I bolted at the opportunity! Happily, the dining car provided a window view sans tight conditions and pungent wailing infant.
The cold buffet was good. Roast beef, turkey, ham sandwiches, generic applesauce, service food cookies, pasta salad, Lays potato chips, water, lemonade, iced tea(?) Parlour car passengers get a much better dessert and Mott's brand applesauce twice the size of the generic proffered in the other cars.
The foliage was beautiful, the scenery was typical of the topography and interesting in parts. On the trip, I saw a bald eagle in flight, a red tailed hawk perched close to the tracks, along with several deer, The high falls was worth the short hike. At the falls, there is only one car through which passengers must enter and exit which causes a traffic jam when people want to board and others want to get off.
Thanks to doing my homework here at TripAdvisor, what could have been thoroughly wretched experience turned out to be a wonderful day out. I'd suggest booking well in advance and opting for the child-free parlour car. Also, book a window seat(s) on the right (American passenger side--departure direction) for better scenery. On the T car, these were odd numbered seats. If you are traveling as a couple, sit across from each other rather than side-by-side.
My solo ticket was the very last available - an aisle seat in Car T. After reading the reviews here at TripAdvisor, I learned that seating assignments are not always set in stone and I decided to take a chance. The seats are basically just padded metal hotel chairs (slightly more padding and fewer in the parlour car) with plain rectangular diner tables for four.
Upon check-in, I had no luck trying to upgrade to the parlour car. To my horror, my assigned seat was not only on the aisle, but my table-mates were an absolutely massive couple traveling with their 4 month old infant. Mom instantly plopped the baby onto the table and the rest of the space was taken up by her oversized handbag and a capacious diaper bag. Given Dad's rotundity, there was no way I could sit in my assigned seat without moving halfway into the aisle.
In utter despair, I stood as the train left the station. Thankfully, as soon as the train began to move, it was announced that the buffet car was open. Needless to say, I bolted at the opportunity! Happily, the dining car provided a window view sans tight conditions and pungent wailing infant.
The cold buffet was good. Roast beef, turkey, ham sandwiches, generic applesauce, service food cookies, pasta salad, Lays potato chips, water, lemonade, iced tea(?) Parlour car passengers get a much better dessert and Mott's brand applesauce twice the size of the generic proffered in the other cars.
The foliage was beautiful, the scenery was typical of the topography and interesting in parts. On the trip, I saw a bald eagle in flight, a red tailed hawk perched close to the tracks, along with several deer, The high falls was worth the short hike. At the falls, there is only one car through which passengers must enter and exit which causes a traffic jam when people want to board and others want to get off.
Thanks to doing my homework here at TripAdvisor, what could have been thoroughly wretched experience turned out to be a wonderful day out. I'd suggest booking well in advance and opting for the child-free parlour car. Also, book a window seat(s) on the right (American passenger side--departure direction) for better scenery. On the T car, these were odd numbered seats. If you are traveling as a couple, sit across from each other rather than side-by-side.
Written 28 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne C
Herndon, VA172 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
My husband and I traveled to Elkins to ride the Cheat Mountain Salamander one day and the Durbin Rocket two days later. We thoroughly enjoyed both trips!
The Cheat Mountain Salamander was an all-day trip, with a buffet sandwich lunch on board. It was a beautiful cool, clear fall day, and the leaves were so pretty! We liked riding by the campgrounds along the track and seeing the trailers and other accessories people had added to modify their homesites. The train stopped three times for passengers to get off and walk around for half an hour or so each time.
We were seated in a very nice car, built in 1917, with plush green cloth seats and a bathroom at the end of the car. The other passenger car was not as nice; it had tables and chairs but seemed more crowded. A large tour group was seated there. The two young train attendants were very pleasant and made sure all the passengers were comfortable.
I don't think I would want to take this particular train with young children, since it did involve long periods of just sitting (which we enjoyed!) The New Tygart Flyer, which apparently goes over part of the same route in four or five hours, would be a better choice for those with children under 12 or so.
Two days later, we drove over the mountains to the little town of Durbin to ride the Durbin Rocket steam train. That was a different sort of fun! We went into the open air car just behind the little steam engine and had a great view of the river valley and the forest as we went along the track. Halfway through the trip, the train stopped to pick up a large group of boy scouts who had been camping overnight near the track. It took quite a while for all the scouts to get on board the train with the huge amount of equipment they had brought for their night in the woods! They must have been pretty tired, since they were very quiet for young boys! The train was then filled to capacity, with a large tour group in the roofed observation car and the scouts luggage mounded up in the mail car. When the train reversed course to return to Durbin, the cinders blowing back from the smokestack made us flee into the last car to find a seat.
We highly recommend this 2-3 hour excursion for those with young children; we kept thinking how much our grandkids would have enjoyed this ride!
Our whole experience with the Greenbrier and Durbin RR was positive; advance reservations made easily via telephone, and no problems when we had to exchange our first set of reservations for some three weeks later. The train stations were clean, the trains themselves well-mantained, and the staff in the stations and on board the trains all very pleasant and helpful.
The Cheat Mountain Salamander was an all-day trip, with a buffet sandwich lunch on board. It was a beautiful cool, clear fall day, and the leaves were so pretty! We liked riding by the campgrounds along the track and seeing the trailers and other accessories people had added to modify their homesites. The train stopped three times for passengers to get off and walk around for half an hour or so each time.
We were seated in a very nice car, built in 1917, with plush green cloth seats and a bathroom at the end of the car. The other passenger car was not as nice; it had tables and chairs but seemed more crowded. A large tour group was seated there. The two young train attendants were very pleasant and made sure all the passengers were comfortable.
I don't think I would want to take this particular train with young children, since it did involve long periods of just sitting (which we enjoyed!) The New Tygart Flyer, which apparently goes over part of the same route in four or five hours, would be a better choice for those with children under 12 or so.
Two days later, we drove over the mountains to the little town of Durbin to ride the Durbin Rocket steam train. That was a different sort of fun! We went into the open air car just behind the little steam engine and had a great view of the river valley and the forest as we went along the track. Halfway through the trip, the train stopped to pick up a large group of boy scouts who had been camping overnight near the track. It took quite a while for all the scouts to get on board the train with the huge amount of equipment they had brought for their night in the woods! They must have been pretty tired, since they were very quiet for young boys! The train was then filled to capacity, with a large tour group in the roofed observation car and the scouts luggage mounded up in the mail car. When the train reversed course to return to Durbin, the cinders blowing back from the smokestack made us flee into the last car to find a seat.
We highly recommend this 2-3 hour excursion for those with young children; we kept thinking how much our grandkids would have enjoyed this ride!
Our whole experience with the Greenbrier and Durbin RR was positive; advance reservations made easily via telephone, and no problems when we had to exchange our first set of reservations for some three weeks later. The train stations were clean, the trains themselves well-mantained, and the staff in the stations and on board the trains all very pleasant and helpful.
Written 31 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tiprary
NJ1 contribution
Oct 2013 • Couples
But could not make it. Our 9 day trip had to be cancelled due to my 79 year old husband being ill. All hotels and attractions, whatever their policy about refunds, did accept the cancellation and refunded our payment---except this company. I asked Bridget to consult with her manager and she said there would be no refund even if they could fill the seats--which were almost sold out when we booked. A voucher will be issued was the best she would give. Our chances of travel are limited. This was to be a special trip for us, maybe no more to come. No consideration given to the medical problem. So when you book, make sure you can get there.
Written 7 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do the routes for the Mountain Salamander and New Tygert Flyer cover the same area.
We are planning a trip in September and don't want to end up seeing the same things on two trains.
Written 24 April 2020
Both trains follow the same route and go to the High Falls of Cheat. The New Tygart Flyer is the shorter ride (4.5 hours) and only goes as far as the falls before returning to Elkins. The Cheat Mountain Salamander is an all-day (9 hour) experience that goes all the way from Elkins to the abandoned logging town of Spruce, which is near Cass. It is a 125-mile round-trip between Elkins and Spruce. I highly recommend the longer journey aboard the Cheat Mountain Salamander.
Written 19 May 2020
My girlfriend and I (Early 70s and active) would like to do one of the excursions during Fall-foliage time. I've been a bit confused by all the options on the rail web site, and need some guidance. We're planning on a 3-day trip from the Richmond, Va area.
Written 4 September 2019
Hi there. Last fall my husband and I took the train from Elkins to Cass, spent the night in one of the company houses, then the train back to Elkins. We stayed at the hotel closest to the train station in Elkins the night before, believe it was the Holiday Inn. We were able to leave our car at the hotel.
Written 4 September 2019
Visiting in June from Philadelphia PA with my 4 year old and 1.5 year old,...what is the best train/tour to take that is not too long but still worth it for my little guys? Thank you!
Written 6 May 2019
Agree with Suzy. There are choices to make depending on the attention span of your little ones. Enjoy
Written 6 May 2019
From Elkins Depot it says no in their rules, however I don’t remember them being very strict. I think I took a water bottle. I went on one that served lunch and that began very shortly after our trip began!
Written 21 September 2018
Is there a rest room ( bathroom) on the train?
Written 20 August 2018
I will be taking this ride as a solo traveler. Only one "regular" aisle seat was available. What are the odds of upgrading to the parlor car if there is a no show? If so, which is better: a "drivers side" (right) seat in a regular car, or a "passenger side" seat (left) in the parlor car.
Also, do you have to stay in your assigned seats, or are there other cars with observation decks available?
Written 19 October 2016
I'll answer as best I can. I tried to upgrade to the Parlor Car on the day of our trip, but it was full. But the "regular" car where our seats were had a few empty seats on both sides, including window seats. Seat assignments (except for empty seats) are observed initially, but become more fluid as the trip progresses; especially on the return trip. Others will want to switch sides also, so you can probably arrange that with little problem. Regardless, a window seat is much better than an aisle seat, especially if you want to take photos.
Written 19 October 2016
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.