Blue Ridge Country May/June 2023 - 24

READY
TO RIDE?
If you choose to go for the royal
treatment, here are six things to
know:
Text and photos by GINNY NEIL | Photos by KATE SIMON
H
ere's the thing: A ride on a
train-especially in a fully
staffed, historically reminiscent
dining car that's
swerving
through
beautiful
countryside-can kind of change
your life for a day. Or two, if you are
lucky. I am lucky. My first ride is on the
westbound Alleghany Special. For the
second, I am escorted aboard the eastbound
Blue Ridge Flyer. Both are on the
Virginia Scenic Railway, hosted by the
Buckingham Branch, and originate in
the Queen City-Staunton, Virginia.
Of course a train ride that starts in the
Queen City begins with a red carpet. Then,
I learn that the train whistle singing out
two longs, a short, and a long stands for
the letter " Q " and was once used to signal
that the Queen of England was aboard. So,
I accept my duties and wave royally at the
people waiting for the train to pass. I am
Queen for a Day!
24 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
The waitstaff takes my drink order and,
before the train has left the city limits,
there is a glass of iced tea in front of me
on the polished wooden table. And things
just continue to improve from there. On
my trip west I am served a sandwich piled
high with sublimely smoked chicken-almost
too big to hold, let alone bite. Sides
are crunchy greens and a creamy red potato
salad. As soon as the last china plate
is cleared away, cheesecake and coffee appear!
Really Queen for a Day.
And the meal on my eastbound trip is
even better. This time the chicken is hot,
smothered in gravy, and accompanied
by buttery mashed potatoes with a small
shredded salad on the side. Dessert? A
decadent tiramisu, which is rumored to be
based on a similar dessert created for The
Grand Duke Cosimo de' Medici III. See
what I mean about the royal treatment?
The fresh-baked breads are toasted, and
my meal is just one of five offerings. In ad1
2
5
3
6
4
There
is limited parking at
the station, but a parking
garage and a large parking
area are only a block away.
Passengers must book a
table for two or four.
The bathroom on the train
is spacious, clean and
handicap accessible.
The view from the iron truss
bridge on the west edge of
the Staunton station is a
great spot for selfies.
Wind whips through the
train platform so it can be
a bit chilly in early spring
or fall.
All expenses are included,
so there is no need for
gratuities.
You can book your
own experience at
virginiascenicrailway.com or call
434-391-9772.
Trains depart the Staunton
Amtrack station twice a day,
Thursday thru Sunday.
Since tickets sell out quickly, the
best way to ensure a ride is to join
their email list. -GN

http://www.virginiascenicrailway.com http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM

Blue Ridge Country May/June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country May/June 2023

Blue Ridge Country May/June 2023 - Cover1
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2023 - Cover2
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2023 - 3
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2023 - 4
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2023 - 5
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