Riding the Rails into History

There's something about a train ride through the mountains...the tracks carry you away, just for a while, from your everyday life to create lasting memories for all ages. Locally, there are several scenic railroads. The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad (1-800-22-EAGLE) offers views and wildlife sightings -- the flight of a bald eagle, for example -- along the shores of the South Branch of the Potomac and through "The Trough." The CASS Scenic Railroad State Park (304) 456-4300 is powered by a steam locomotive and offers a very scenic trip through wilderness with a lot of history, too! The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad (D&GV RR) (304) 456-4935 provides a round trip on a reconstructed stretch of C&O track between Durbin and Cass. Each rail trip provides a different sightseeing experience, but all of them take you into a world of new sights and sounds. Don't forget your camera on this one.