Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 27, 1993 TAG: 9309270033
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: STAUNTON LENGTH: Medium
The old steam train, a 234-ton locomotive pulling 10 vintage coaches, passed under Afton Mountain and into Charlottesville, sounding its whistle.
"The whistles are almost music," said Mike Williams, a railroad buff who was along for the test run last week. "It's almost as if it has a soul," he said of the train's steam engines.
Saturday, the train will begin taking tourists from Charlottesville on runs to Staunton, Clifton Forge and Gordonsville. Most of the tickets for the October runs already are sold, said Sally Kammauf, president of the Virginia Central Railroad. Ticket prices will range from $18 to $72 for adults.
During the trips, as many as 520 passengers will be able to eat in a dining car. The one-mile tunnel under Afton Mountain is a highlight of the trip.
"Our goal is to run twice a day," Kammauf said. The schedule will depend on CSX Corp., the tracks' owner, she said.
Two engines will pull the coaches, three of which are restored Pullman cars that originally ran on the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad.
"Our bread-and-butter comes from folks who have fond memories of steam trains," Kammauf said. She has two grandfathers, nine great-uncles and three uncles who worked for railroads.
The train can travel 10 miles on one ton of coal, "as long as she's not pulling much," said Jack Showalter, Kammauf's father.
by CNB