PETERSBURG — The sounds of steam whistles, the clickty-clack of steel wheels on rails and the smell of coal smoke will be just part of the centennial celebration of railroading in West Virginia. The West Virginia Rails Festival 2010 is set for June 25 to 27 in Petersburg.
This quaint American town located in the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia will be taken over by train lovers celebrating 100 years of the first railroad built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1910. During the three-day celebration excursions will be operated over the 51-mile long South Branch Valley Railroad, originating from the South Side Depot in Petersburg.
Steam trains will once again whistle in the deep valleys, as it has been 50-years since a steam locomotive traveled these mountain state rails. “The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad will be offering a rare railroading experience through the lush mountains of West Virginia,” said Julia Hartman, executive director of the Grant County Convention Visitors Bureau. “Steam and Diesel Locomotives from around the country will be on display for to tour the cabs, take photos, watch demonstrations, it’s going to be a ton of fun.”
Other items of interest to visitors will be huge model train layouts on display, railroad vendors from around the globe will have unique one-of-a-kind train items and mementos for purchase and families will be able to take an all day excursion or shorter one-hour train ride behind various vintage locomotives.
West Virginia Rails 2010 celebrates 100 years of the railroad built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1910. Steam trains will once again whistle in the deep valleys. Three steam locomotives will be brought in. It has been nearly 50 years since a steam locomotive traveled these rails. This could be the only chance you will have to ride behind a vintage steam locomotive over this line so reserve your place in history by booking your tickets today.
For more information on the “WV Rails Celebration 2010” go to: http://www.wvrails2010.com/, for tourist and lodging information go to: http://www.grantcountywva.com or call 304-257-9264.
Local News
Rails festival scheduled June 25-27
South Side Depot in Petersburg to serve as headquarters for event
- Local News
-
-
UNDEFEATED STATE CHAMPS!
Mountain Ridge softball head coach Martha Mauzy and players react after the Miners’ 4-3 win over Mardela in the Maryland 1A state championship game at the University of Maryland on Saturday.
-
Officials hoping flight school takes off
Opening a flight school at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport and further developing the health care corridor along Willowbrook Road are two ways officials think the local economy can grow.
-
Former mayors seek Keyser council seat
Challenger Terry Liller, incumbent Ed Miller Sr., former Mayor Roger Newlin and former Mayor William “Sonny” Rhodes, all candidates for Keyser City Council, all have an opinion on the recall election and citizen complaints and concerns made during recent council meetings.
-
Parents’ dilemma: Let children play football?
Already uneasy about the idea of letting her 7-year-old son Jason start playing tackle football, Elizabeth Giancarli made up her mind when former NFL star Junior Seau committed suicide.
-
Slow going
-
Neighbors battle brush on Woodside Ave.
You could sweat sitting still on Woodside Avenue Saturday afternoon, to say nothing of the perspiration that pulling weeds, gathering trash and painting a guardrail would bring on.
-
DelFest, county fairgrounds continue to evolve
Allegany County Fairgrounds manager Kevin Kamauf talked Saturday of the logistical aspects of putting together DelFest and the ever-expanding fairgrounds that plays host to the annual Memorial Day event.
-
Just waiting for their day to come
The annual Memorial Day Super Cruise spanned along six businesss on Industrial Boulevard Saturday.
-
Summer school options varied
The Allegany County Public School System is offering a variety of summer school options that require registration by Friday.
-
Farmers markets due at two new sites
The Allegany Mountain Fresh Producers Association will have farmers markets at two new locations this year and add four new vendors, according to co-chairman Jack Miltenberger.
- More Local News Headlines
-
