Potomac Eagle (Photo: Steve Shaluta)
Squeezed between two Appalachian ridges, the south branch of the Potomac River between Moorefield and Romney, West Virginia, cuts through a wild, narrow wooded canyon known locally as the Trough. Although no road passes through it, a rail line does. Built between 1909 and 1910 by the Hampshire Southern Railroad, the tracks cross the river several times as they wend their way through the dramatic passage.
Rail historian Joe Nevin leads a tour that includes a 3 1/2-hour excursion on the diesel-powered Potomac Eagle along the route of the South Branch Valley Railroad, from Petersburg to Romney. The panorama from the train features natural wonders such as the river’s crystal-clear water, home to some of the largest fish caught yearly in West Virginia, and eagles, deer, and other frequently sited wildlife. En route to Petersburg, enjoy a 3-course lunch at the Lost River Brewing Company.
Fringe stop at about 10:25 a.m.
