This trip has been cancelled as of June 6, 2009

The Board of Directors of the Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association regrets to announce that the Steam Train to Elkins and Beverly, scheduled for July 9-12, has been cancelled.

With the current uncertain economic situation, our ticket sales were insufficient to the point where it was likely that we and our partnering sponsors would lose a significant amount of money if we ran the trips at this time.

Full refunds will be given to tickets already purchased. To those of you who bought tickets, we thank you for your support.

We hope we will be able to run these trips in the future, perhaps in 2010. If you would like to be placed on our mailing list for future railfan events please send your mailing address to excursions@msrlha.org. (We need your mailing adddress because we don't maintain a llist of e-mail addresses).

HISTORIC STEAM TRAIN TRIPS

Shay 6 locomotive in Elkins, W. Va.

To ELKINS AND BEVERLY, West Virginia

July 9, 10, 11, and 12, 2009

Featuring the Cass Scenic Railroad's Western Maryland Shay 6 Steam Locomotive

Excursions are sponsored by the Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Assoociation, the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, and the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

Steam Trip No. 1

Cheat Bridge to Elkins

Ride a Fantastic Steam Train through
The Wild and Wonderful of West Virginia

Enjoy West Virginia mountain wilderness vistas that can only be seen from the railroad as you experience an incredible day-long adventure, riding from the heights at Cheat Bridge down the wild running Shavers Fork of the Cheat River.

Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 8:00 AM, you will board our charter motor coach at the Elkins depot, travel up the Tygart Valley, then climb over the summit of Cheat Mountain to Cheat Bridge, home of the Cheat Mountain Club, favored by Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone for fishing, and hunting trips.

Shay 6 pulling train along the Cheat RiverWe will board our special steam train at Cheat Bridge, and proceed down river. Along the way, keep an eye out for bald eagles and the other wildlife that abounds in this area. At the old Linan Mine, our box lunch will be served.

At Linan, we will make a service stop, and do several photo runbys. Of interest are two rare original Western Maryland railroad section houses nearby. The terrain then becomes very rugged as Shavers Fork descends with impressive rapids and huge boulders as the train winds through tight curves, past Harper mine and on to the spectacular High Falls, where there will be a service stop and an opportunity to view the activity and the falls.

Continuing on, we will have a runby at the famous High Trestle, the remaining leg of the old Greenbrier, Cheat, and Elk River Junction wye. Then we will pass through the old logging town of Bemis, on to Woodrow, and to Bowden for a service stop. Here vintage diesels will couple on to help us upgrade, through the 1780 foot Kelley Mountain Tunnel. On the other side we will descend into Elkins, arriving at the depot at 5:00 PM.

Steam Trip No. 2

Elkins to Cheat Bridge

An Incredible Steam Train Ride
Through the Wild and Wonderful of West Virginia

 Experience the best of West Virginia's Mountain Wilderness as it can only be seen from a mountain railroad, winding your way on a memorable day-long trip from Elkins, up the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River to Cheat Bridge.

Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 8:00 AM, the steam train will depart Elkins Depot and start its ascent up Kelley Mountain and through the 1,780 foot S-curve tunnel to Bowden. We will continue up grade to Woodrow, and on through the old logging town of Bemis. We will then arrive at the High Trestle; the remaining leg of one of the largest wyes ever built, and do several photo runbys.

Shay 6 crossing High TrestleThen we will continue, ascending to the spectacular High Falls of Cheat, where we will make a service stop. At High Falls, we will distribute the box lunches and have opportunities to view the trainside activity as well as the falls.

The train will then wind through sharp curves and rough terrain as it follows Shavers Fork with its many rapids and huge boulders as we make our way to the old Linan Mine and another service stop for the locomotive. You will have another photo opportunity here as we will do several photo runbys. As we leave Linan, we will pass by two rare Western Maryland railroad section houses.

You will want to keep an eye out throughout your trip for the abundant wildlife, including Bald Eagles. We will arrive at Cheat Bridge, and board our charter motor coach for our return trip down the Tygart valley to the Elkins Depot, arriving about 5:00 PM.

  

Steam Trips from Elkins to Historic Beverly

Trains Depart Daily at 9:30am and and 2:30pm

Visit a historic town that was once the County Seat of Randolph County

On both Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, Shay 6 will travel south, making two trips each day, on the Dailey Branch 7 miles from Elkins to Historic Beverly. The train will follow the route completed in 1891 to provide rail access for the towns and sawmills along the upper Tygart Valley.

The historic town of BeverlyInterpreters from Beverly will be on board the train to share history and information about the Historic town and nearby Civil War battle. After arrival in Beverly, re-enactors dressed as Civil War-era soldiers and civilians will be there to greet passengers as Shay 6 pulls into town, bringing history to life and providing activities for visitors. Guided tours of the historic district will be available on a first come, first served basis. Shay 6 will be available for close inspection and photographs during the two-hour stop in Beverly.

Don’t miss the Beverly Heritage Center. This brand-new, air conditioned facility features quality exhibits, information on other tourism opportunities in the area, and restroom facilities. It tells the story of the Battle of Rich Mountain and the Civil War in West Virginia, Beverly’s 19th-century heyday, stagecoach and Conestoga wagon travel on the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, and the railroad’s role in changing the county’s politics and economy forever.

While you are in Beverly, browse the town’s specialty shops and attractions.  The Lemuel Chenoweth House offers the historic home of the area’s famous bridge builder, filled with period antiques, overlooking the railroad tracks and the Tygart Valley River. The Goff House walls still show graffiti of Civil War soldiers who were patients in the “Beverly Union Hospital,” surrounded by antiques and hand-crafted Civil War reenactment in Beverlytextiles. Other small shops feature home décor and gifts, vintage books and antiques. The Randolph County Museum, log cabin, and one-room schoolhouse show life in earlier days. Homemade baked goods and lemonade will be available for purchase. Tickets for the morning trips feature a pork loin BBQ sandwich lunch prepared fresh by the local LIONS Club.

This same weekend celebrates the 148th Anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Rich Mountain. The Battle of Rich Mountain re-enactment will be taking place at Rich Mountain Battlefield Civil War site, just seven miles west of Beverly. Activities available there include the battle re-enactment on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, camps and living history, antiques and Civil War memorabilia auction, and a period dance on Saturday evening. Consider visiting this unique event during your trip to the area.

For more information on the town and or the Rich mountain reenactment visit www.historicbeverly.org  and or www.richmountain.org.

Fares and Reservation Information

Thursday, July 9
 Cheat Bridge to Elkins, Depart Elkins, 8:00 am Arrive Elkins 5:00 pm		 $130  includes box lunch
Sunday, July 12
Elkins to Cheat Bridge, Depart Elkins, 8:00 am Arrive Elkins 5:00 pm		$130includes box lunch
Friday, July 10
Elkins to Beverly, Depart Elkins, 9:30 am, Return 1:30 pm
(approximately 2 hour stop in Beverly)
$35includes BBQ lunch at Beverly
Friday, July 10
Elkins to Beverlyy, Depart Elkins, 2:30 pm, Return 6:30 pm
(approximately 2 hour stop in Beverly)
$30no meal service
Saturday, July 11
Elkins to Beverly, Depart Elkins, 9:30 am, Return 1:30 pm
(approximately 2 hour stop in Beverly)
$35includes BBQ lunch at Beverly
Saturday, July 11
Elkins to Beverly, Depart Elkins, 2:30 pm, Return 6:30 pm
(approximately 2 hour stop in Beverly)
$30no meal service

Order Tickets

Tickets for all trips are sold by the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Elkins Depot, Elkins WV 26241. Call toll free for reservations: 1-877-686-7245.

All major credit cards accepted. When ordering, please specify the trip or trips you want.

Night Photo Session

There will be a night photo session at the Elkins Depot starting at about 8:30 PM on Friday, June 10 and Saturday, July 11. The set ups will feature Shay 6 in front of the depot. We will use over 20,000 watts of quartz lights to provide spectacular photo opportunities. Bring your camera, tripod, and a cable release if appropriate.  We will supply the lights and suggest exposure settings. The use of quartz lights will allow great results by videographers and digital cameras, as well as traditional 35mm film cameras.
Night photo at the Elkins depotNight photo at the Elkins depot

Elkins Motels
Elkins motel information is available from Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Reservation desk 1-877-686-7245 or the Randolph County Convention & Visitors Bureau 1-800-422-3304  "www.randolphcountywv.com" .

Policies
Trains run rain or shine, schedule is subject to change due to equipment availability, safety, and weather conditions. The Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association (www.MSRLHA.org) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Proceeds go toward historic rail and logging preservation and interpretation projects.

Note: These excursions run in a rugged mountainous area; be careful of your footing. Even in July, showers can cool the air quickly; come prepared for changes in the weather. The train has an EMT on board for your assistance if needed, and carries a satellite phone.

Train photos by Walter Scriptunas II, Beverly photos by Peter Baxter

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page last updated or verified on July 3, 2009