Published: July 10, 2009 07:39 pm      

Officials: Amtrak excursion train returning to city

BLUEFIELD — After being sidetracked for a dozen years, the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society Inc., announced on Friday that it will be hosting the return of an Amtrak excursion train scheduled for early November.

The excursion train will be in Roanoke, Va., on the weekend of Nov. 7-8, with a trip from Roanoke to Bluefield and back scheduled for Saturday and a round trip through the Shenandoah Valley on Sunday, according to an announcement by the Roanoke Chapter. The press release included a disclaimer: “These trips are still considered tentative pending Amtrak and Norfolk Southern approval.”

Beverly Wellman, executive director of the Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau said that planning for the excursion has been underway for some time. “The group contacted the CVB several months ago to see how supportive the area would be should this excursion come to fruition,” Wellman said. “I assured them the CVB would work with them to make the event successful.”

Andy Merriman, Bluefield city manager, said he was aware of the developments regarding the excursion train, but added that he was excited to know the excursion train is on its way. “We’re already beginning to make plans for the event,” Merriman said. “When those people get off that excursion train, they’ll be able to feel the pulse of Bluefield as soon as they set foot on the sidewalk.”

Merriman said that the city already has several railroad theme plans in the works for the downtown. “The news that this train excursion is a go is exciting,” he said. “We’ll be ratchetting up our efforts in the downtown to get ready.”

The last Amtrak excursion train arrived in Bluefield from Roanoke on a chili day, Oct. 25, 1997, but Chicory Square was filled with crafts, food and music. The Nov. 7, train is scheduled to leave Roanoke at 8 a.m. “After a layover of several hours to experience the local sights, sounds and food, passengers will board the train to return to Roanoke,” according to the Roanoke Chapter NHS press release. The Sunday, Nov. 8, excursion train will have a layover in Shenandoah, Va.

The trips represent a major fund raiser for the chapter. People who want additional information can contact the chapter by e-mail at (Terrapin66@cox.net), and please put “Amtrak Excursion” in the subject line. Others can contact the chapter by mail and receive information about the excursions by writing: Amtrak Excursions Roanoke Chapter NRHS P.O. Box 13222 Roanoke, VA 24032. Walter Alexander of the chapter told Wellman that they hope to have information posted on the chapter’s web site soon. The site is (www.roanokenrhs.org).

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been 12 years since we’ve had an excursion train here,” Wellman said. “I was beginning to think we would never get another one. I’ve been working with them for several months and the city is excited. I think the local restaurants and art galleries will be ready for the visitors,” she said.

— Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com