If you have been waiting to ride a train behind a century-old steam locomotive, well here is your chance.
As part of the 21st Century Steam program of Norfolk Southern and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, excursions are being offered in June in North Carolina and Virginia behind steam locomotive 630.
June 16-17, Spencer to Barber, N.C., and return
Host: North Carolina Transportation Museum
Train departures from museum: 9 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. each day
Route: Norfolk Southern “S-Line” between Spencer and Barber, 24-mile round trip
Power: steam locomotive 630 only (no diesels assisting)
Equipment: air-conditioned coaches with reclining seats and large picture windows
Fare: $35 adults, $25 children ages 3-12. Children 2 and under not occupying seats do not require tickets.
June 23, Spencer to Winston-Salem, N.C., one way (bus return)
Host: North Carolina Transportation Museum
Train departs North Carolina Transportation Museum 10 a.m.
Train arrives Winston-Salem 2 p.m.
Bus arrives North Carolina Transportation Museum 3 p.m.
Route: Norfolk Southern main line from Spencer to Greensboro, and NS “K-Line” from Greensboro to Winston-Salem
Power: steam locomotive 630 with diesels assisting
Equipment: air-conditioned coaches
Fare: $80. Includes box lunch and bus return to North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer.
June 24, Winston-Salem, N.C., to Roanoke, Va., one way (with bus connections from Roanoke and to Winston Salem)
Train departs Winston-Salem 10 a.m.
Train arrives Roanoke 3:30 p.m.
Route: Norfolk Southern “Punkinvine” line between Winston-Salem and Roanoke
Power: steam locomotive 630 with diesels assisting
Equipment: air-conditioned coaches
Fare: $95. Includes box lunch and bus transportation. For
Roanoke-originating passengers, bus will depart Roanoke 7 a.m.; for Winston-Salem-originating passengers, bus will depart Roanoke within a half hour of train’s arrival in Roanoke.
Other upcoming public excursions (details to be released at a later date):
July 7: Roanoke, VA to Bristol, VA (one way with bus return)
July 8: Bristol, VA to Knoxville, TN (one way with bus return)
July 16: Knoxville, TN to Chattanooga, TN (via Harriman Junction) (one way with bus return)
Sept 1 & 2: Chattanooga, TN to Cleveland, TN (two round trips per day)
Sept 8: Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL (one way with bus return)
Tickets for all trips are available through the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s website at www.tvrail.com.
