West Virginia Dinner Train Rides At Elkins

Published: March 18, 2026

The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad (D&GV) offers the kind of rail experience that feels purpose-built for railfans and casual travelers: deep forest hollows, cold rivers sliding over rock ledges, long stretches with no roads in sight, and vintage equipment that looks right at home in the Appalachians. Operating under the Mountain Rail WV umbrella, D&GV excursions depart from multiple mountain towns—most notably Elkins, Durbin, and Cass—and generally run from spring through late fall/early winter, with special events sprinkled throughout the year.

What makes D&GV stand out is variety. You can pick a relaxing half-day ride with a waterfall stop, commit to an all-day wilderness run into remote backcountry, or lean into the romance of classic passenger travel with a true dinner-train-style dining experience. If your perfect trip includes equal parts scenery, history, and “I can’t believe we’re eating a four-course meal on a moving train,” this is your railroad.

B&O GP9 #6530 and Western Maryland BL2 #82 lead an excursion over the rebuilt Tygart Valley River Bridge (completed in 2006), departing the former WM yard and depot in Elkins, West Virginia. Loyd Lowry photo.

Big Mountains, Bigger Rail History

The territory D&GV explores was shaped by timber, coal, and rugged geography—places where railroads weren’t a novelty, they were a necessity. The line’s modern passenger operations capitalize on that legacy, using rail corridors that still slip into valleys and along rivers in ways highways simply can’t. The result is a portfolio of trips that feel authentically mountain railroad (largely former Western Maryland lines)—curves, grades, river-running, occasional tunnels, and dramatic photo angles that seem to appear around every bend.

Today’s D&GV/Mountain Rail excursions are built around a handful of flagship experiences: the New Tygart Flyer out of Elkins, the Greenbrier Express between Cass and Durbin, select Cass-based steam trips, and a menu of special-event trains that often include curated food and beverage service.

Signature Excursions

New Tygart Flyer (Elkins): waterfalls, a tunnel, and a “just sit back” vibe

If you’re choosing one ride that consistently hits the sweet spot for most visitors, this is it. Departing from Elkins, the New Tygart Flyer is a mountain wilderness run featuring grades, an S-curve tunnel, a high bridge, and the headline stop at High Falls of Cheat—a classic West Virginia waterfall scene that feels tailor-made for photos. A key bonus: a cold cut lunch is included and served onboard, so you can treat it like a rolling picnic through the Monongahela backcountry.

Greenbrier Express (Cass ↔ Durbin): river scenery with steam power and lunch included

For many railfans, Cass is a pilgrimage—steam locomotives, logging-era atmosphere, and serious mountain grades. The Greenbrier Express ties that romance directly to D&GV’s Durbin endpoint, following the clear Greenbrier River and offering frequent wildlife-spotting chances. Like the New Tygart Flyer, it’s also marketed as a lunch-included experience—cold cut lunch is part of the ticket—making it an easy, self-contained day trip.

Cass trips (Bald Knob / Whittaker Station): classic Cass Scenic flavor

While Cass is its own legend, it also complements the D&GV story. Trips like the Bald Knob run (to one of the highest points in the state) and the Whittaker Station excursion deliver the “steam in the mountains” experience many people picture when they imagine West Virginia railroading. The Bald Knob trip notes that a sack lunch is included, which is a nice practical touch for a longer mountain ride.

Special-event trains: where the menus get creative

Mountain Rail WV layers in limited-run specials that add themes, entertainment, and food-forward options. One standout is the Elkins Murder Mystery Wine Train, which pairs an onboard whodunit with heavy hors d’oeuvres and wine tastings (and it follows the New Tygart Flyer route to High Falls).

Other seasonal offerings—like “Wild West” weekends or holiday operations—help keep the calendar fresh for repeat visitors.

Dinner Train Options

Mountain Explorer Dinner Train: the closest thing to “classic dining-car era” you can book in WV

If your goal is specifically onboard dining, this is the headliner. The Mountain Explorer Dinner Train is designed to revive the golden-age feel of dining while the scenery scrolls by. It’s described as a four-hour journey featuring a freshly cooked four-course meal prepared inside a restored dining car, served en route by the food service team from the Railyard Restaurant, with a stop at High Falls of Cheat along the way. Reservations are required—and for good reason: this one is a date-night magnet.

Lunch-included excursions: easy “dining option” upgrades without the formal dinner setting

Not every visitor wants white-tablecloth formality—and D&GV does a nice job meeting people in the middle. Several of the railroad’s most popular runs build food directly into the ticket:

New Tygart Flyer: cold cut lunch included and served onboard.
Greenbrier Express (and some winter-special variations): cold cut lunch included.
Elkins Winter Special: lunch included on the trip to Tygart Junction.
Cass Bald Knob Trip: sack lunch included.

In practice, these “lunch included” trips can feel like the perfect all-in-one rail day: you’re not rushing to find a restaurant between activities, and you get that pleasant, old-fashioned experience of eating while the rails do the work.Overnight “rail camping” with a railroad twist: Castaway Caboose

Not dining-focused, but too unique not to mention—especially for couples and small groups. The Castaway Caboose packages restore vintage cabooses into efficiency-style suites and include a round-trip ride where you’re set out at a remote location for an off-grid night (or two). It’s a different kind of “onboard experience,” but it fits the D&GV theme perfectly: remote, scenic, and delightfully railroad-specific.

Final Thoughts

Some tourist railroads excel at nostalgia. Others excel at scenery. D&GV’s magic is that it delivers both—and adds a genuinely compelling food program that goes beyond snack-bar service. Whether you’re riding behind vintage diesel power to a waterfall, following a mountain river with lunch in your ticket, or settling into a restored dining car for a four-course meal as the forest slides past your window, the D&GV experience feels like a full, satisfying throwback to when rail travel wasn’t just transportation—it was an event. To learn more and planning your trip please click here to visit the railroad's website.

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