The organization began selling tickets for the Oct. 25-27, 2019 excursions only two weeks ago — about eight months later than sales began for the New River Train, the railroad club-sponsored excursion it replaced. Despite the delayed rollout, the new operators say sales have been focused on West Virginia and Ohio.
Last week, the operators added a station stop in West Virginia’s capitol city of Charleston to tap into the state’s largest city. Riders now have a choice to board at either the train’s origin point in Huntington or Charleston, about 55 miles to the east. It is the first time in 30 years that the fall excursion train will stop at Charleston. Unlike the New River Train, the new Autumn Colors Express will not stop in the small town of St. Albans, which is about 12 miles west of Charleston.
Adam Auxier, president of Rail Excursion Management Co., says ticket sales have been steady for the Saturday excursions compared to Sunday. The Friday trip, which is new, is showing promise.
Auxier says coach class seats, of which there are 500 per day, are popular, as are the most expensive choice, the chairman’s class for which there are 90 seats each day. The train also consists of 700 first, dome, and deluxe coach seats per day.
Autumn Colors Express is continuing to beef up its marketing presence and is collaborating with local tourism and community groups to boost the excursion train’s brand in preparation for its restructured debut in less than two months.
More information on the Autumn Colors Express can be found in a Trains News Wire exclusive Q&A with Auxier here.
http://trn.trains.com07-qa-with-adam-auxier-of-the-new-autumn-colors-express
Even though they got off to a late start this year, I hope this new organization is able to sell enough tickets to continue the tradition of fall excursions through the New River Gorge.