Roanoke Chapter sets tentative dates for fall excursions

Published: June 7, 2012

ROANOKE, Va. — The Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society has set tentative dates for its fall Amtrak excursions out of Roanoke. While the chapter has not received final confirmation from either Amtrak or Norfolk Southern to run the trips, it has issued a schedule so passengers can save the dates.

On Nov. 10, 2012, the excursion plans to depart the former Norfolk & Western passenger station and climb Christiansburg Mountain, then travel across the former N&W line via Radford, Pulaski, Rural Retreat, and Wytheville before arrival in Abingdon, Va. The train will operate to Bristol before returning to Abingdon and Roanoke, and riders will have the option of staying on board for the additional ride. On Sunday, Nov. 11, the excursion train will operate through the scenic Shenandoah Valley to Shenandoah, Va.

The chapter expects to have full information available sometime in mid-summer. To get train information, send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope to: Amtrak Excursions, Roanoke Chapter NRHS, P.O. Box 13222, Roanoke, VA 24032. To get information by the Internet, send an e-mail with "2012 Amtrak Excursion" in the subject line to Terrapin66@cox.net. Information will also be posted at http://www.RoanokeNRHS.org/ .