The train whistle of the Western Maryland Railroad used to be a common sound as it wound its way through Elkins, WV on its journey eastward over Cheat Mountain. Beginning this year, the eastern hills around Elkins will again be alive with the sounds of clanking track and the lonesome whistle of a Western Maryland passenger train making its way through Cheat Mountain.

The Western Maryland ran its last passenger train over these tracks nearly 50 years ago. The New Tygart Flyer, a passenger train powered by an original Western Maryland locomotive and owned by the Durbin-Greenbrier Valley Railroad of Durbin, WV made its maiden journey eastward, up Cheat Mountain and into the Cheat Mountain Tunnel.

“The Cheat Mountain Tunnel has not been used for regular passenger service since 1959 and it will offer an exciting experience to this new excursion,” said John Smith, president of the Durbin-Greenbrier Valley Railroad.

The Cheat Mountain Tunnel was built by hand in the mid-1800s. Cut through solid rock, the tunnel winds its way through the mountain a quarter of a mile. Not built in a straight line, but with an s-curve, the tunnel is pitch black in the center. According to Smith, you do not see the light at the end of this tunnel and this feature alone will be a draw to railroad enthusiasts looking for an exiting ride.

This same feature also offered some challenging railroading on its windy, curving route through the mountain for the Durbin-Greenbrier Valley crew. It took two months of work cleaning and replacing track, measuring the tunnel, and making computer generated module runs to ensure safe passage for the 85-foot passenger coaches. “It was a tight sqeeze,” said Smith. “The New Tygart Flyer passed through the tunnel with a 6-inch clearance. We had to adjust the track three times, but the Flyer made it through. It was exciting to see the beautiful, streamline train exiting that old tunnel!”

It’s a slow run too. According to Smith, top speed through the tunnel is 5 mile per hour! This detail, he said, will only add to the mystic of the excursion.

The Cheat Mountain excursion begins in both Belington and Elkins where passengers board the New Tygart Flyer. The route crosses the old Western Maryland bridge behind McDonalds and winds it way eastward along Rt. 33 (behind Econo Lodge), over another bridge and onto a loop on Isner Creek. The ride continues up Cheat Mountain and into the Cheat Mountain Tunnel and ends in Bowden.

Future plans include extending the ride from Bowden along the Shavers Fork connecting the existing track used by the Cheat Mountain Salamander.

The Cheat Mountain excursion will be available for the 2001 travel season, adding yet another ride to the Durbin-Greenbrier Valley Railroad list of multiple trip options in the Belington-Elkins area.

Presently the company offers several ride options on three distinctive trains. The Cheat Mountain Salamander, a custom railbus, departs Cheat Bridge and offers a 36-mile, round trip into the headwaters of the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River.

The Durbin Rocket departs Durbin, WV. This friendly train, with an open air car and old wooden caboose takes a 10-mile round trip along the Greenbrier River.

The New Tygart Flyer, an elegant, streamline passenger train, departs from either Belington or Elkins, making a round trip between Tygart Junction and Elkins on Saturday and Sunday. Call ahead for departure times. Toll free 1-877-MTN-RAIL (686-7245).