GLEN JEAN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Since early October, volunteers with the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (NRGNPP) have been riding the rails between Montgomery and Hinton, engaging with Amtrak passengers who may not realize they’re passing through the nation’s newest national park.
This effort is part of the Trails & Rails program, a longstanding partnership between the National Park Service (NPS) and Amtrak.
Jacki Wright, one of the program’s newest volunteers, is thrilled with her experience.
“Interacting with the visitors is interesting and fun,” Wright said. “You never know who is on the train. Plus, it is fun to see the New River Gorge from the train. There are views you will never see from the road.”
Wright is one of 12 volunteers recently inducted into the program.
To participate, volunteers complete training that includes online courses on interpretation and railroad safety, as well as on-the-job learning from seasoned volunteers.
The Trails & Rails program, which started over 25 years ago, operates in 11 other national park areas across the country.
Volunteers not only help educate passengers but also contribute to a unique way of experiencing the New River Gorge.
Volunteers come from as far away as Huntington and Fairmont, while others live closer in Oak Hill and surrounding areas.
Depending on their route, some begin in Montgomery, ride to Hinton, and return to Glen Jean. Others board in Huntington or Charleston and travel to White Sulphur Springs or Clifton Forge, Virginia, before heading back—a journey that can take up to eight hours.
NRGNPP Volunteer Coordinator Adrienne Jenkins oversees the program, with assistance from Emma Hicks, a Community Volunteer Ambassador. Hicks played a key role in launching the program within ten months.
“Thanks to Emma’s hard work and dedication, we have a fully functional, new volunteer program to offer visitors yet another opportunity to learn about and immerse themselves in the park,” Jenkins said.
The collaboration between railroads and national parks has deep roots. In the late 1800s, railroads transported early visitors to iconic western parks like Yellowstone and Glacier.
Today, the Trails & Rails program continues that legacy, enhancing the experience for Amtrak passengers.
For Wright, the joy comes from connecting with passengers who might never have planned to visit the New River Gorge but leave with a new appreciation for the park.
“It is fun riding the train with visitors who normally might have never visited our park but are truly excited to see the New River Gorge area,” she said.
To learn more about volunteering with NRGNPP or the Trails & Rails program, contact Volunteer Coordinator Adrienne Jenkins at (304) 465-2634 or visit nps.gov/neri.
