West Virginia Uncovered | Potomac Eagle

Potomac Eagle

Potomac Eagle train excursions combine bald eagles, historic buildings and scenic landscapes all in one three-and-a-half hour ride

Take a ride on the Potomac Eagle Excursion Train.

CLICK HERE to see wilderness accessible only by boat or the Potomac Eagle.

See wilderness from the Potomac Eagle.

11/19/2008

By Jessica Rhodes and Steve Butera

Operating since 1991, the Potomac Eagle showcases the scenic beauty of Hampshire County, W.Va. and gives passengers an opportunity to view bald eagles and other wildlife.

Every morning in October, tour buses and cars packed full of travelers arrive at the Wappocomo Station, one mile outside of Romney, W.Va.

In the past, travelers have come from as far as California, said Richard Likin, conductor of the Potomac Eagle.

On a busy day, travelers line up to buy tickets around 10 a.m. At 11:00 a.m., the train begins to board passengers, and at 11:30 a.m. the ride begins.

“I like trains,” said Dave Mowery, resident of West Lafayette, Ind., and passenger on the Potomac Eagle. Mowery and his family planned to visit West Virginia and saw information about the train while investigating the area.

“When you live flatter country it’s really nice to get around the mountains,” he said.

The Potomac Eagle October Fall Foliage Trips begin just outside of Romney, at the Wappocomo Station, travels through the “the Trough” to Sector, W.Va. and back. The trips last a little over three and a half hours and offer scenery and wildlife viewing to passengers with the special sightings of a family of bald eagles.

“The big drawing point is the eagles that are nested in the Trough,” said Richard Likin, conductor of the Potomac Eagle.

The crew is always excited to see a bald eagle, but so are the passengers. “That’s a bird that you don’t see everyday,” Mowery said. “They are definitely something else.”

The train has several passenger cars, coach cars, a rolling gift shop, snack bar and is equipped with two engines, one at each end. It also features an open-air car for viewing scenery and wildlife and an open-top gondola that is open to passengers during the trip through the Trough. “I believe that it is definitely worthwhile for anyone interested in the seeing the view and learning the history of the area,” Likin said. It’s a beautiful view.” The fall foliage excursion trains begin in October and end November 1. For more information on the Potomac Eagle, call (304) 424-0736.