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Pocahontas County
Durbin
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Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad
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Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad

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Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad
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Durbin, West Virginia
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Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad
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(47 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
140 reviews
Excellent
83
Very good
31
Average
10
Poor
9
Terrible
7
Jeff C
Baltimore, MD257 contributions
Great Engineer
Oct 2020 • Couples
We rode the Durbin rocket while on a long weekend trip. Upon arriving check-in is very easy across the street at their store. Getting on and off the train is very easy and anyone of any age can do it. It was a chilly October day so we decided to sit inside the caboose in the Cupolla area. Great great choice of seating. Shortly before the train moved they started a fire in the caboose stove which kept the area very warm the entire trip out. They also had a heater going inside one other enclosed car. When we reach the end of the line they connected to two Outkast cabooses and then the train sat for approximately 20 minutes while we looked around outside. During that time the engineer was more than friendly, more than willing to answer questions and told some very good stories, Great sales person. The trip back we stood on the open car just behind the tender, what an amazing experience! When we returned we were then again entertain by the engineer for about 15 minutes which he did not have to do. Thanks for a great trip
Written October 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
aberfitchgr534
Bolivar, OH1,343 contributions
Great Scenic Train Ride
Oct 2021
We rode the Cass RR the day before and because we enjoyed it so much we decided to ride the Durbin Rocket the next day. This was just as good as the first day both completely different experiences. This trip is fantastic for kids and folks of all ages. The train leaves the town of Durbin, which is not as quaint as the town of Cass and seems a little repressed. There is no assigned seating on this train so get in line to get your seat choice. The first car is open air right by the engine, second car is a heated box car, third car is an open air car with a roof & the Fourth is a heated Caboose. This is what we choose and we got to sit up in the cupola of the caboose. The ride takes you out along the greenbriar river which is so scenic and beautiful approx 40 min, then stops along the river about 15 min.where you can get off the train to take some pictures. Once back on the train heads back toward the station along the same route but does stop for water which take about 15min to refill. During the whole ride you can move about from train car to train car. There are two heated cars to get warm and a restroom on board.The trip takes approx 2 hours total. The best part was the engineer Aaron, he was informative and funny he made the ride so great!
Written November 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MauraRawnTravels
Lancaster, OH31 contributions
Perfect 2 hr trip for younger kids
Jul 2022
Grandkids loved the open-air, 4 car train trip. There is free access between all cars during the trip. The caboose led the way to the river (1 hr) and then the engine led the way back to base (1 hr). Operations were efficient and easy. Phone customer service was less than helpful but we found our way, etc. This trip is best for a "good weather" day. Coal burning engine. We were worried about grandson's asthma but there was no issue on this particular day. Smoke did not engulf the train or anything. 20 minute stop at the river gave the kids time to explore the water snakes and crawdads. Perfect day :)
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andrew T
Tulsa, OK92 contributions
Unexpected pleasure
Jul 2020 • Couples
We were in this area many years ago and were unable to ride the Durbin Rocket — favoring other tourist trains with longer durations. This year, it fit our schedule and our ride was an unexpected pleasure. The train hugs the headwaters of the Greenbrier River as a rare Heisler gear-driven steam locomotive is in charge. The sights, sounds and scenery were fantastic. The whole trip lasts a little over two hours, so even if you are not a tourist train person, it can be time well spent.
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
stalwartguy
Columbus, OH17 contributions
Boring and no social distancing
Aug 2020
The town of Durbin is run-down, as is the Durbin Rocket train. Most people were not wearing masks and the staff did nothing to ensure or even recommend social distancing. It was apparent that nothing was sanitized either.

The ride is okay for children, but incredibly boring for most adults. The only scenery is the Greenbrier River, which runs adjacent to the tracks. The engineer tried to provide a few historical facts, but it was difficult to hear him most of the time.

This was definitely not worth the money or the time spent driving to and from Durbin.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dfb260
Staunton, VA363 contributions
Great train ride for kids!
Jul 2021
I took my grandsons (6, 3) to ride the Durban Rocket and they loved it! A nice ride through the woods and along the river with a couple of brief stops. Various options as to the type of railroad car in which to ride.
The small town of Durbin is depressed and has little to offer. Take a picnic meal.
I understand that the train route will be changing once a new bridge and section of track are completed; train will no longer be departing from Durban.
Pleasant, relaxing and scenic!
Buy tickets online in advance; kids under age 4 are free.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
wirttravelers
West Virginia490 contributions
Nice fall ride, but a bit expensive for what you get
Oct 2021
Old steam train leaves out of the small town of Durbin and travels five miles into the forest along the river. At the terminus, you can get out for a minute and enjoy the river. You also have the option to spend the night in a caboose and be picked up the next day. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Unlike the Cass Scenic Railroad, there was a heated car option, which was nice on a freezing cold day.
On the down side, you really don't go very far for the money that you pay. This train was $45 a person when we went (compared to the $55 for Cass, which takes you up the mountain).
Written November 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DK47
Tennessee544 contributions
Vacation
Aug 2020
This was a joke. Folks on the train did not wear masks as required, no one enforced it. Kids run up and down the train. Adults that were chewing tobacco spit off the train. Nasty... The scenery wasn’t good at all. Wouldn’t recommend or do this again. Waste of money and precious vacation time.
Written August 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Katie did
1 contribution
Disappointed
Aug 2021 • Couples
The Durbin train ride is the worst experience my husband and I have ever encountered. The online information is very misleading. The train ride was basically up and back seeing the side of a mountain or a creek. It could have only lasted approximately 40 minutes or so if it wasn't for stopping and unhooking 2 cabooses and then stopping and hooking up to another. We were very disappointed in this train ride.
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CynthiafromOhio2011
Cleveland, OH346 contributions
Great Fun -- Durbin Rocket is the Best, But All 3 Trains are Wonderful
Oct 2011 • Friends
D &GV RR actually runs three separate trains:

1. New Tygart Flyer
2. Cheat Mountain Salamander
3. Durbin Rocket

In addition, there is a Dinner Train (called the Mountain Explorer) that is basically the Cheat Mountain Salamander.

The three trains all originate and travel different locations -- all in the Elkins and Durbin areas. In mid-October, I had the pleasure of riding both the Durbin Rocket and the Cheat Mountain Salamander.

The Durbin Rocket is strictly a steam engine, bult in 910, it covers only about 10 miles in about 2 hours. There was a large open car, one closed car and a couple of cabooses (which you can rent and stay overnight). There is no on-board narrative, but the scenary is great along the river. It is very remote and peaceful, except for the noise of the train. There is not any civilization throughout this ride; we saw lots of deer and an American eagle up close (sitting in a nearby tree - so close you could clearly see its face!). Not only were there great opportunities to see wildlife, the train stops a creek to take on water, and a friendly donkey stops by as the train engineer always brings the donkey an apple.

The Cheat Mountain Salamander is a much longer trip with a stop to see the High Falls of the Cheat and a tunnel. There is an opportunity to walk down to the Falls, but you need to be careful as the path is slippery. It is not steep, but it is a natural path (covered in leaves this time of the year). There was a good narrative on this train.

Unlike the trip on the Western Maryland Scenic RR (see my separate review of that attraction in Cumberland, Maryland), neither of these two trips will disappoint you. I highly recommend the D &GV RR. Both trips I took I enjoyed; I hope to try the New Tygart Flyer in the future.
Written October 24, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go