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I thought the eastbound Cardinal was scenic from Cincinnati east, but I now see it gets to Cincinnati at 3:27 AM. Has the schedule been changed? What are the most scenic parts of the route, and are they generally easier to see eastbound?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Ms. Sojourner, the scenic highlight of the Cardinal route is New River Gorge which is near Thurmond and #50's 950A stop.
I've seen the Gorge once in this life from a spotlessly clean C&O Sleeper with its oversized windows aboard the FFV during Sept 1962. It really is "something".
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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The schedule is set for seeing all of the New River Gorge and the crossing of the Applachains Mountains in daylight eastbound. It is one of my favorite trips but only eastbound.
Chris
Posts: 711 | From: Santa Ana | Registered: May 2003
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I also enjoy traversing the Shenandoah Valley eastward from Staunton and then dropping down into Charlottesville from the top of Afton Mountain on the Cardinal.
Eastbound is best as others have pointed out and over the years I have logged a number of trips on the Cardinal..... in Amcoaches, Heritage Sleepers, Superliner Coach and sleeper...... etc.
On one memorable trip in the early 1990's I had dinner on the westbound Cardinal in the prototype Viewliner Diner.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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I was on the Cardinal eastbound a few years back and remember other scenic areas besides New River Gorge, further west, but I didn't take notes and don't remember where they were or the time (train was somewhat late). Does anyone know where the good scenery starts eastbound. Thanks
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Ms Sojourner -- the Cardinal follows the Ohio River for many miles E of Cincinnati -- if the train is late, you might be able to see most of the river eastbound. If on time, you'll see the last few miles between Ashland KY and Huntington WV. If you travel on the Cardinal during the summer, however, your view of everything will be blocked by trees and vegetation for most of the scenic parts of the route.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Rich is correct - While the New River Gorge would be the scenic highlight of a ride on the Cardinal, the scenery becomes interesting as soon as the train departs Cincinnati.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote:Originally posted by sojourner: I thought the eastbound Cardinal was scenic from Cincinnati east, but I now see it gets to Cincinnati at 3:27 AM. Has the schedule been changed? What are the most scenic parts of the route, and are they generally easier to see eastbound?
I don't think the schedule has changed by more than a few minutes for as long as I remember. Cincinnati was always a middle of the night stop.
Anyway, plenty of scenery from Cincinnati to the east, even before the gorge. Most views on the left in that direction up as far as the gorge, then on the right.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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