The Autumn Colors Express of the Railway Excursion Management Company (Railexco) takes you on a day-long journey through the New River Gorge, at the peak of the fall foliage season. The round trip from Huntington, W.Va., to Hinton, W.Va., lets you experience this beautiful area of West Virginia in a way few do. Privately owned vintage rail cars from all over the nation make up this special passenger train pulled by Amtrak.
Choices
The Autumn Colors Express travels over the former Chesapeake & Ohio main line from Huntington to Hinton. You’ll go under the New River Gorge Bridge, the largest arch bridge in the country, and enjoy a spectacular view of it. Other sights along the way include Kanawha Falls, Hawks Nest Dam, and Stretcher Neck Tunnel. You’ll also roll past ghost towns and old mining sites. Seating choices are coach, premium coach, and dome. You can board the Amtrak-powered train at Huntington or St. Albans. An outdoor museum at 14th St. West and Memorial Boulevard, open Memorial Day to Labor Day, displays ex-C&O Class H-6 articulated No. 1308, a saddletank switcher, a B&O section house, and other items.
When to go
The Autumn Colors Express runs in October during the peak fall foliage season. Dates change from year to year, so check Railexco’s website for the current year’s dates.
Good to know
The town and society were named for Collis P. Huntington, who helped develop the transcontinental railroad and the Chesapeake & Ohio.
Worth doing
While in Huntington, stop by the Cabell-Huntington Convention & Visitors Bureau. The bureau is housed in a former B&O passenger station, where the former Elk River Coal & Lumber Co. locomotive No. 10 is displayed.
Don’t miss
Huntington is 2 hours away from the New River Gorge National Park, which contains the bridge. You can plan a trip to the park by driving or by Amtrak’s Cardinal. The third Saturday of October is Bridge Day, the only day you are allowed to walk across the bridge—or parachute from it.
Getting there
To reach the outdoor museum, take I-64 to Exit 8. Follow Highway 527 north toward the Ohio River until you pass under the railroad tracks. Then turn right onto 7th Avenue. The station will be a block and a half up on the right.
Location: 935 7th Avenue, Huntington, WV
Website: railexco.com
E-mail: info@railexco.com
