Special.  This railroad is special.  It may only be five-miles long but it has all the character of a transcontinental and the friendliness and warmth of "returning home". Carved beneath the shadow of Cheat Mountain and in the Greenbrier River Valley, the railroad's rare and sharp-looking Climax steam locomotive takes its passengers on a journey into the wilderness.

It is hard to imagine a more worthwhile experience into history.  The small town of Durbin welcomes you into the past, from the ice cream fountain at the old-time store across the street to the railroad's depot itself, you know you are visiting into the distant past.  Come on a foggy morning and you might feel you have entered into the Twilight Zone!

The 55-ton Climax steam locomotive was built in 1910 for the Moore-Keppel Lumber Company as locomotive Number 3, and is proud to wear those same markings on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley.  The locomotive is kept in excellent shape through the care and attention of steam enthusiast mechanics that "talk to her" as if she were a person!

As we said in the beginning, this place is special.  Take a ride.  But, don't plan on plush seats and air-conditioned dining cars.  This is a ride on an old logging train which does not afford any luxuries.  There's no roof over the open car but the cabooses get nice and cozy when filled with passengers.  The train pushes all the way out to the end of the track, approximately five miles to a picnic grove alongside the river.  Absolutely West Virginia at its best!  Then, as old number 3 begins to work her way back to Durbin, you feel and see the thrill of steam locomotives.  You realize that she is a real person!

The entire railroad complex is interesting.  Check out the old equipment, everything from the train you ride to the old Whitcomb diesel locomotive and preserved freight cars on a nearby track.  Check out the black diesel #45, the line's latest acquisition.  It is a 45-ton General Electric locomotive and will be on hand to assist old #3 if it needs repair.

In the area?  Don't be afraid to visit one of West Virginia's several other railroad restorations including this railroad's sister operations of the Cheat Mountain Salamander Railcar and West Virginia Central's Tygart Flyer.  But, most of all, give the Durbin train a try.  Sit back, and relax.

Special.  This railroad is special.