HINTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Hinton Railroad Days will be here before we know it, and what better way to get there than by train?
The festival will kick off for its 55th year October 11th, 12th, 13th, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, in downtown Historic Hinton.
The event will feature a plentiful amount of vendors, musical performances, and an opportunity to explore the railroad history at the Hinton Railroad Museum.
Although a tourist train such as the Autumn Colors Express has not been announced to return this year, one can still get to Hinton via train thanks to Amtrak.
The Amtrak Cardinal serves West Virginia three times a week on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays twice a day.
So, riding the train to the festival is only possible on Friday and Sunday.
The eastbound 50 Cardinal from Chicago to New York makes multiple stops in West Virginia: Huntington, Charleston, Montgomery, Thurmond, Prince, Hinton, Alderson, and White Sulphur Springs.
The westbound 51 Cardinal makes the opposite trip from New York to Chicago stopping at the same locations.
A day trip is possible via the Cardinal if one catches the eastbound train first, and then takes the westbound train back.
One can start as far away as Huntington and as close as Prince and make it back home all in the same day.
Amtrak has a ticketing system called Saver Fares in which the earlier a ticket is purchased, the cheaper it tends to be.
Ticket prices also fluctuate based on supply and demand. Amtrak offers discounts for both students and seniors.
As of this writing, a ticket from Huntington to Hinton is currently $28 with no discounts added.
Those interested in booking a trip aboard the Cardinal may do so here.