Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 17, 1993                   TAG: 9307170242
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: STAUNTON                                LENGTH: Short

COAL-FIRED RAILROAD TO OFFER TRIPS

In October, the railroad operators will offer a 200-mile round trip from Charlottesville to Clifton Forge on Saturdays with stops in Staunton. The train will make round trips from Charlottesville to Gordonsville on Sundays. Fares range from $12 to $114.

"The romance of steam, shiny rails, whistles, dining cars, trestles, tunnels, and conductors calling `All aboard' is a quality of life many young people have never experienced and many of us older people can no longer find," state Sen. Frank Nolen, D-New Hope, said during a gathering at the historic Staunton Train Station.

The train's operators, Sally Kammauff and her father, Jack Showalter, hope eventually to get an agreement with CSX to operate the train daily from April to December.

The excursions will pass through the Afton Mountain tunnel, which was built in 1852. The two coal-powered steam locomotives include six vintage coaches with room for 520 people. Meals will be served in dining cars. - Associated Press