TATC Trip on the Blue Ridge Flyer
October 26, 2025 - 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM – Three-Hour Excursion
Sunday, the day after TATC Fall Trail Maintenance
Climb aboard the Blue Ridge Flyer, and head east for an opportunity to experience the thrill of roaring through the Blue Ridge Tunnel, carved out of rock hundreds of feet below the mountain summit above. The train will turn around in Ivy in Albemarle County. Duration: Three hours. The Virginia Scenic Railway train leaves from and returns to the Staunton Amtrak Station at 12 Middlebrook Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401
Looking for a special way to see the autumn leaves of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley without having to drive? Consider booking a ride on the Virginia Scenic Railway in Staunton. The leaves along the Blue Ridge Mountains are best in the fall from early October to early November. The timing of peak foliage depends heavily on elevation.
Cost: $65 prepaid - For an additional fee, boxed meals or dining car table service are available.
Reservations fill up fast, so make your own reservations early at:
https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/
Make sure you make your reservation for the Blue Ridge Flyer on October 26th at 10:30 AM and include the following in the comments block when making your reservation:
We are members of the Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club (TATC), and others will be signing up separately. We would appreciate it if we could be in the same train cars.
Transcript of Staunton to Ivy Journey: https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Staunton-to-Ivy-Transcript.docx.pdf
Directions: Take 64 West to Interstate 81 to Exit 222. Follow 250 West (Richmond Road) for approximately 2 1/2 miles toward Historic Downtown Staunton. The Staunton train station is located at 12 Middlebrook Avenue, across from the American Hotel Building.
The Distance from the Sherando Lake Recreation Area to 12 Middlebrook Ave, Staunton, VA 24401 is 25 miles and takes approximately 40 minutes. However, you must arrive at the train station by 10:00 AM at the latest, and parking is located two to three blocks away, so please arrive early.
Cancellations
Any ticket modifications or cancellations must be made a minimum of fourteen (14) days before the day of departure to receive a full refund. Ticket purchases are fully refundable up to two weeks before your excursion date. A gift card will be issued if cancellation is received between 2-14 days of departure. No refunds or credits will be given for prior-day cancellations, day-of-ride cancellations, or missed trains. No-shows are not refundable. Trains operate in rain, snow, or shine. The decision to run is based on weather conditions at the railroad. If the train runs, no refunds will be made. If a train is cancelled, a gift card will be issued – no cash refunds will be made.
Pet Policy:
Only credentialed service animals are permitted on board; all other pets are prohibited. Emotional support or therapy animals do not qualify as working service animals.
Seating - Seating is assigned. During the check-in process when boarding the train, the car host present will provide your car and seating assignment details.
Parking: Train excursions are three-hour round trips, and street parking in downtown Staunton is provided free of charge for only two hours. The City of Staunton offers several reasonably-priced downtown parking locations; we recommend parking in nearby parking garages or parking lots. Parking is often challenging in the downtown area so leave plenty of time to walk to the loading platform from a parking lot or parking structure. Our train cannot be held for late passengers.
Neither alcohol nor any other food/beverage may be brought on board the train.
All tickets are subject to a 5.3% Virginia sales tax, as well as the purchase processing fee and the ticket-processing fee.
Please send an email to hikemaster@tidewateratc.com to let us know you are coming , if you have made reservations to attend.
Link to complete document with area map and nearby parking map:
https://tidewateratc.com/resources/Scheduling/TATC%20Trip%20on%20the%20Blue%20Ridge%20Flyer.pdf
