Planning to ride it end of March from Philly to Chicago.
dd
It’s been too long since I’ve ridden the train, so I can’t comment on that aspect of it. But you won’t find scenery to equal the New River Gorge and environs (roughly from White Sulfur Springs to Huntington) anywhere else in the east. Springtime is spectacular; you might be a little early for that.
Ride the three rivers before they get rid of it to Chicago from Philadelphia.
Unfortunately, it is dark by the time the westbound Cardinal leaves White Sulphur Springs, so you miss the Gorge scenery. Eastbound covers it though. You will be out of Cincinnati about daylight, and have the sun from there into Virginia.
So, if you are making the round trip…
Jay
For didance:
If at all possible ride the Cardinal eastbound. The best part of the line from a scenery standpoint is from Charleston to Charlottesville. The line between Clifton Forge and Orange is operated over track CSX has leased to the Buckingham Branch Railroad, however, the part of the trip east of Charlottesville is mostly run after dark except during the summer months. I personally think the Cardinal is on borrowed time because it only runs three days a week so ride it while you can.
I can tell you crews out of Indy are friendly. They work the train from Huntington, WV to Chicago. The stretch from Indy to Chicago can be long. Northbound train is out of Indy shortly before daylight.
I would have liked to ride the Three Rivers but other events will postpone my trip until after it’s last run. so I plan on the Cardinal with the Capital Limited as a possible alternate. Haven’t decide on one way or round trip. I really appreaciate the suggestions.
dd