Four New Ways to Chase Fall Foliage in Virginia By Train

Staunton, Va. — Fall color is on its way, and the Virginia Scenic Railway helps travelers see it from the best seat in the valley: a vintage train car.

New in 2026 is the “Autumn Special,” a temporary lineup of excursions built to showcase the Shenandoah Valley at the height of fall foliage. Only available in October, these train rides offer a mix of experiences — from a short afternoon outing to a full day on the rails.

“We’re proud to be Virginia’s only scenic railway, and we look forward to continuing to find creative ways for rail fans, families, and anyone looking for a truly unique experience to get out and enjoy a day on the rails,” said Steve Powell, President of the Virginia Scenic Railway.

“We’re excited to introduce more variety to our offerings this fall, including a shorter ride for younger families. With the launch of these Autumn Special excursions, we’re offering more choices across the board, so our guests can select an experience that best fits their personal interests and preferences,” said Powell.

The Essentials

• What: Four limited-run fall excursions — North Mountain Passage, Alleghany Limited, Staunton Stop & Shop, and Afton Lunch Adventure — that range from a two-hour introductory ride to a six-hour full-day adventure. All four of these limited time excursions are led by diesel engines.
• When: Four weekends, only in October.
• Where: All excursions depart from Victoria Station in Goshen, Virginia. Free onsite parking is available at the station.
• Tickets: Available exclusively at VirginiaScenicRailway.com. Seating includes coach, table, lounge and dome classes at a wide range of price points.

“During October, we’ll temporarily pause a few of our regular excursions as we reposition the majority of our rail cars to Goshen, as we know the region is a prime destination to take in the fall colors,” explained Powell.

The concentration of equipment in Goshen is what makes the expanded fall schedule possible.

While the train ride may be the epic bucket list attraction, there is plenty to see and do in the Shenandoah Valley region — such as apple picking, a pumpkin patch visit, a scenic mountain drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive, a hike, or even a college football game at one of the valley’s many universities.

More Choices, More Ways to Ride

For those coming from farther away, the Autumn Special is designed to slot easily into a bigger Shenandoah Valley fall weekend. With four different trip lengths to choose from, guests can pick the excursion that matches their fall weekend plans.

Because dates are limited to four weekends and seating is capped by car class, tickets for peak foliage weekends are expected to sell out — travelers are encouraged to book now to secure their preferred date and seat type.

The rides include:

• North Mountain Passage — 2 hours round trip. The shortest of the four and an easy entry point for first-time scenic-rail travelers. The route heads east from Goshen toward North Mountain, passing rolling farmland, open pastures, wooded hillsides and mountain views.
• Alleghany Limited — 3 hours round trip. Follows the historic rail line between Goshen and Staunton through working farms, open fields, wooded stretches and mountain-framed landscapes, passing near rural communities including Goshen, Hebron and Swoope. The train pauses at Staunton’s historic station — one of Virginia’s most storied railroad towns — before heading back to Goshen.
• Staunton Stop & Shop — 5 hours round trip. Pairs the same scenic route with two free hours to explore downtown Staunton on foot. After the train ride through wooded mountain slopes, hayfields and cattle pastures, passengers can wander Staunton’s Victorian-era downtown, browse independent shops and galleries, or grab a meal or coffee before reboarding for the return trip.
• Afton Lunch Adventure — 6 hours round trip. The full-day option, combining scenic rail travel with food, mountain scenery and railroad history. Riders pass through the 3,900-foot Blue Ridge Tunnel beneath Rockfish Gap — one of Virginia’s landmark railroad achievements — then continue through rock cuts, orchards and Piedmont foothills as changing elevation reveals different stages of fall color. A boxed lunch is delivered to each passenger’s seat along the way.

Reservations are required for all Autumn Special excursions. Tickets, schedules and seating details are available now at VirginiaScenicRailway.com.

Photos available upon request.

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About the Virginia Scenic Railway

The Virginia Scenic Railway began service in 2022 and offers the state’s only regularly scheduled sightseeing excursion service. The Railway operates year-round from multiple locations in Virginia and is dedicated to preserving the experience and thrill of classic passenger rail travel. The Railway is owned and operated by Buckingham Branch Railroad, the largest short-line railroad in Virginia. Learn more at VirginiaScenicRailway.com.

Media Contact

Please reach out to Kathy Moore via Kathy@MoorePublicRelations.com