HINTON, WV (SWVO) – Hinton is gearing up for one of its biggest annual celebrations — Railroad Days — set for Friday through Sunday, October 10–12.
The festival honors the town’s deep ties to the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, completed through West Virginia in 1873.
The event showcases Hinton’s rail heritage with food and craft vendors, live music, and the Hinton Railroad Museum open for visitors throughout the weekend.
Festivalgoers can even arrive the historic way — by train.
The Amtrak Cardinal, which travels between Chicago and New York, passes through the New River Gorge three days a week. Eastbound trains run in the morning, while westbound service departs in the evening.
Passengers can board in Huntington, Charleston, Montgomery, Thurmond, or Prince and make a round trip to Hinton the same day.
Those traveling from Charleston will enjoy scenic views of Kanawha Falls, Hawks Nest, the New River Gorge Bridge, Sewell’s coke ovens, and Sandstone Falls along the route.
Because the Cardinal’s schedule aligns with Friday and Sunday during Railroad Days, those are the best days to travel by train.
Tickets are available through Amtrak’s website, where prices vary based on demand and departure location.
As of this writing, very few Amtrak tickets remain for this weekend.
For locals and visitors alike, Railroad Days offers a nostalgic journey through West Virginia’s rail history — and perhaps a scenic train ride to match.
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