Frenquently Asked Questions
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions ask by customers throughout the year. These questions may answer some questions you may have. Please click the question below to reveil the answer.
- Are there windows on the train?
- Are there restrooms onboard the train?
- Does the train have seats?
- Is there food onboard the train?
- Is food included in the ticket price?
- Can I get on in Hinton?
- Can our party sit together?
- How long is the train ride?
- What is in Hinton, WV?
- Is there a place to smoke on the train?
- Is there alcohol served on the train?
- Where do we board the train?
- Can I board the train in Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, Ashland, or anywhere else?
- How many days of the year does the train run?
- What is a Dome car?
- Is there parking available at the Depot?
- When will we receive our tickets?
- Do we get a confirmation number?
- Is there an open air car?
- Do we use a steam engine?
- Is this an Amtrak train?
- Do we stop along the way to Hinton?
- Do we stop at the New River Gorge Bridge?
- Will we see people during Bridge Day?
- I am Mobily Impaired or have a hard time walking, can I ride the train?
- What is the difference between Coach, Premium, Dome and Business Car Services?
- Can I cancel my tickets?
- Is it cheaper to get on the train in either St. Albans or Montgomery?
- Can I go one way to Hinton?
- Are there hotels near the train station?
- Can I make hotel reservations with the Railroad Historical Society?
- Are the train excursions one way or round trip?
If you have any other questions, or a question that is not listed, please contact our office at: 866-639-7487. Our office is opened Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm.
Answers
FAQ’s
1. Are there windows on the train?
Yes, There are windows on every car which run the length of the railcar.
2. Are there restrooms onboard the train?
Yes, there is at least one restroom per car. Some cars may have two restroom facilities onboard.
3. Does the train have seats?
Yes, there are seats onboard. Everyone will have their own seat. Seats are not assigned and are picked by the customer when they board the train. In Premium Service, you will be assigned to a car, and you will be able to pick your seats in that car, the day of the trip, when you board the train. THERE IS ABSOLUTLY NO RESERVED SEATING, except for large groups of 15 or more will have a section taped off.
4. Is there food onboard the train?
Yes. There is a Cafe Car on board the train, which any customer may purchase food from, and bring back to their seat. Passengers may also bring their own food in a small cooler. NO ALCOHOL is allowed on the train!
5. Is food included in the ticket price?
In Coach Service food is not included. Premium serivce includes a breakfast and a dinner which will be prepared on the train, and served in route.
6. Can I get on in Hinton?
No. The train originates in Huntington, WV. Passengers riding in the Premium Service cars are required to board in Huntington only, unless other arrangements have been discussed. All of the passengers in Coach Service must board in either Huntington, or St. Albans, WV.
7. Can our party sit together?
As long as you all board the train at the same time, you may sit together. There is NO RESERVED seating on the train.
8. How long is the train ride?
The train departs the station at 8:30 am sharp. Boarding begins at 7:00 am. The train returns at 8:15 pm at night. That is an 11 hour and 45 minute trip. We are off the train for a maximum time of 3 hours in middle of the trip in the town of Hinton, WV for the Railroad Days Festival. Due to traveling on the mainline railroad, we are not responsible for loss of time or tardiness of the train.
9. What is in Hinton, WV?
Hinton has the Railroad Days Festival all four days we run the train. There are Arts, Crafts, Food, Entertrainment, and a large Railroad Museum.
10. Is there a place to smoke on the train?
No. There is absolutly no smoking on the train at any place or time. This is an Amtrak Rule, as well as our organization's policy.
11. Is there alcohol served on the train?
No. No alcohol is allowed to be consummed on the train at anytime during the trip. This is our organization's policy.
12. Where do we board the train?
The train boards at the old C&O Railroad depot on 7th Ave, & 9th Street in Huntington, WV. In St. Albans, we board at the Old C&O Railroad depot on 4th Ave & 4th Street, in St Albans, WV. Boarding information will be sent in with you tickets in the MIDDLE of SEPTEMBER!
13. Can I board the train in Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, Ashland, or anywhere else?
No. The train originates in Huntington, WV where you will have to get to, in order to ride the train.
14. How many days of the year does the train run?
The train runs ONLY 4 days a year in October.
15. What is a Dome car?
A dome car gives a unique view of the landscape. You are sitting in a glass dome, on the second flood of a railcar, which gives you an unobstructed view of the area.
16. Is there parking available at the Depot?
In Huntinton, there is NO PARKING allowed at the depot. Parking is available on the street at no cost due to Huntington having no meters on weekends. Also, there is a parking lot one (1) block away which we use and that is free to park in.
17. When will we receive our tickets?
Tickets are not sent until the middle of September. After September 15th, is when we usually send all tickets out in the mail. You may not recieve your ticekts any sooner if you decide to purchase in person.
18. Do we get a confirmation number?
No. All orders are hand written and there are no Confirmation numbers available. Your last name, date of traveling, and class of service is all we need to look up your order. We do not email any confirmations.
19. Is there an open air car?
No. All cars are enclosed and either Heated or Air Conditioned depending on the weather.
20. Do we use a steam engine?
No, We do not use a steam engine. The last time we used steam was in 1994.
21. Is this an Amtrak train?
The Railroad Historical Society, leases Amtrak equipment, Locomotives, and some cars. We also have an Amtrak crew which opperates the train, Conductor and engineer. The other 19 cars, are private railcars which we bring in from around the country. Ticket sales are through the Railroad Historical Society. All workers, safety Crew, EMS, Car Hosts, Maintance crew and other people on the trian are volunteers from the Railroad Historical Society. This train is a privatly chartered train.
22. Do we stop along the way to Hinton?
The only stops we make are to pick passengers up in St. Albans. There are no other stops along the way You may NOT get off at any stop except Hinton.
23. Do we stop at the New River Gorge Bridge?
No. We do not stop at the bridge.
24. Will we see people jumping during Bridge Day?
No. Due to the hazard of landing on the tracks, there is no jumping occuring while the train is passing under the bridge.
25. I am Mobily Impaired or have a hard time walking, can I ride the train?
Due to the historical nature of the railroad cars, and some railroad cars being privatly owned by indiviuals, we are unable to accept motorized wheel chairs. Fold-up wheel chairs, walkers, and/or crutches are accetable. Coach Service is better equipted for the Mobility Impaired. If you have any special needs please contact us when making your reservations so we can accomadate you to the best we can.
26. What is the difference between Coach, Premium, Dome and Business Car Services?
Coach Service is seating in a coach type car. Coach cars are setup with two seats on both sides of an aisle running the length of the railroad car. Most cars have a capacity of 60 people or so. Premium Service is seating is a Lounge type or Parlor type car. All Premium Service cars have all different types of seating due to all being privately owned by indiviuals. Premium Service cars usually have no more than 48 people in each car, with most holding around only 30. You will be assigned to a car. Dome Service is seating in the second floor of a Premium Car, with a glass top Dome, and you have an unobstructed view of the area around you. Some dome cars have a capacity of 50 or less, other Dome cars have a Capacity of 24 or less. You will be assigned to one. BOTH Premium Service & Dome Service, receive Breakfast & Dinner included with the ticket price. Business Car Service is Seating in the last car of the train with only 12 people seated in that car. You will have the open back platform on the end of the train to Hinton, and on the way back to Huntington, you will be the first car. The car has its own private chef & waiter for the day. You will receive Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included in the ticket price. Business Car seating is limited to only 12 per day.
27. Can I cancel my tickets?
You may cancel your tickets up until October 1st, before the New River Train. However, there will be a $20.00 per ticket charge for canceling. After October 1st, there is no canceling your tickets unless you call our office, and have a ligetamanet reason. Also, if any tickets are canceled, any tickets you have already received in the mail, need to be sent back as soon as possible. We need the actual tickets in our office in order to make any refunds.
28. Is it cheaper to get on the train in either St. Albans or Montgomery?
No. All tickets are the same price no matter where you get on the train at.
29. Can I go one way to Hinton?
You may go one way, however, the ticket price does not change. Alll prices are the same no matter if you go one way or round trip. Also, you must make your own arrangements after Hinton. Please contact us if you plan on doing this.
30. Are there hotels near the train station?
Yes. There are 2 hotels which are farley close to the station. The rest of the 12 hotels are no more than ten minutes away from the boarding location. If you need hotel information, please visit the Huntington Convention & Visitors Beauru Website at: www.wvvisit.org and click on accommodations (stay). Or you may call our office at 866-639-7487 for hotel information.
31. Can I make hotel reservations with the Railroad Historical Society?
No. You have to make hotel arrangments on your own with the hotel of your choice in advance. Some hotels will sell out before October, so please make arrangments sooner rather than later.
32. Are the train excursions one way or round trip?
All the New River Train Excursions are Round Trip from Huntington, WV to Hinton, WV and Return.
If you have any other questions, or a question that is not listed, please contact our office at: 866-639-7487. Our office is opened Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm.