by Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt

Ever wonder why so many people rave about Louisa County? Now visitors, residents, and families can find out! Step aboard a rolling piece of history and discover a new perspective on Louisa County with the Virginia Scenic Railway (VSR), now departing from Louisa’s beautifully-restored downtown depot.

Along the way, you’ll experience the region’s landscapes, history, and hospitality from the comfort of vintage railcars. Whether you’re seeking family fun, unique seasonal events, or a relaxing day out, these excursions invite you to explore the heart of Central Virginia in a way that’s as memorable as it is timeless.

Since its launch in 2022, VSR has offered Virginia’s only regularly scheduled sightseeing excursions, transporting passengers through some of the state’s most scenic landscapes. Owned and operated by the Buckingham Branch Railroad, the largest short-line railroad in Virginia with four divisions and 280 miles of track, VSR has quickly become a cornerstone of local tourism and economic revival, particularly in Louisa.

Restoring a Piece of History

VSR’s expansion into Louisa County was marked by the restoration of two historic train depots near downtown Louisa, reviving a landmark that once welcomed freight and passengers into the heart of the community. The passenger depot located at 103 Church Avenue was built in 1899 to the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad’s design standards of the era. After it ceased to function as a railway depot, the adjacent freight depot was used as a storage room for the Maddox Feed Store.

In 2025, VSR rehabilitated both the passenger depot and the freight depot.

“The passenger depot was restored, keeping almost all of its original interior and exterior features,” said Steve Powell, president of Buckingham Branch Railroad. “We removed a couple of walls inside to open up the space for a gift shop and modern restrooms. The freight depot will be restored to be used for a waiting area so people can get out of the sun or rain if needed.”

The depot’s history is significant, with local archives and regional rail historians documenting its evolution since the arrival of the Louisa Railroad in 1838. After consecutive depot structures were destroyed (including the 1860 station damaged during the Civil War), the standing passenger depot at 103 Church Avenue was constructed in 1899 by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad.

Following the decline of mid-century passenger rail, the site transitioned to commercial use, notably serving as storage for the Maddox Feed Store and later appearing as a filming location in the 1993 movie Foreign Student. Its full restoration in 2025 marked a new chapter by bringing active passenger excursions back to downtown Louisa for the first time in decades.

A Modern Excursion Experience

According to Powell, the Virginia Scenic Railway’s passenger cars blend vintage mid-century charm with event-specific styling, all within modern, climate-controlled interiors. The standard fleet features beautifully-refurbished 1940s-era details, offering passengers the choice of comfortable upholstered coach seating or elegant dining tables depending on their ticket class.

For the Santa Express, the cars are fully transformed into a winter wonderland with festive garlands, wreaths, twinkling holiday lights, and cheerful music. In contrast, the 2026 “Summer of Steam” event featured a historic patriotic theme, showcasing the iconic Norfolk & Western 611 locomotive wrapped in a red, white, and blue “America 250” livery alongside polished classic heritage cars.

Louisa’s VSR location expanded in 2026 to offer a diverse array of excursions including railroad history tours, murder mysteries, wine tasting trains, and more. Each trip is designed to appeal to a broad demographic from families to history enthusiasts. The excursions are designed to be especially family-friendly, with lower children’s ticket rates compared to departures from Staunton. Staunton excursions focus on traditional scenic rides and adult-oriented themes, Powell shared

“Our website was updated so it is easier to understand what is offered in Louisa,” said Powell. “We offer a lunch train on Thursday. On Friday morning, a trip takes people to Gordonsville for a 1.5-hour visit at the town before returning to Louisa. A homemade dessert is served on the way back. Friday and Saturday evenings, we have a wine tasting train that showcases local wineries. Saturday morning, we have a quick two-hour trip that does not serve a meal that offers lower fares and discounted tickets for children, and Sunday we have a brunch train.”

Memory-Making Signature Excursions

The Santa Express at Louisa’s historic depot made its debut in December 2025. The ride lasts about 60 minutes round-trip and includes a holiday cookie, hot chocolate or coffee, a souvenir Santa coin, a goody bag with mini candy canes, a coloring sheet, and festive onboard activities such as music, decorating sheets, letters to Santa, and a special visit from Santa Claus. In addition to the standard event, VSR also offers adult-only Santa Express trains featuring Christmas-themed drinks.

The 2026 “Summer of Steam” held from June 26 to July 5 was a milestone event organized by VSR in partnership with the Virginia Museum of Transportation. It marked the first time a steam locomotive operated on Louisa’s tracks since 1980. Passengers rode behind the legendary Norfolk & Western 611. This train was built in 1950, is the last surviving “J-Class” steam locomotive, and serves as the official steam locomotive of Virginia.

Excursions departed from the historic 1899 depot, traveled 40 miles round-trip along the historic Virginia Central Railroad corridor to the Gordonsville rail junction, and lasted about 90 minutes per trip. The massive steam engine led the journey west while a vintage diesel engine pulled the train back to the station with the 611 prominently displayed at the front.

For travelers, the experience is as much about the journey as the destination. “My husband and I did the scenic railway train ride for the first time in the fall to see the foliage,” said Mineral resident Linda Raffert. “We reserved the rear dining car and had a preselected lunch for us both during the ride. The food was delicious. The staff was amazing.”

Raffert also noted how these excursions are good for people with limited mobility, “My husband has a really hard time standing for long periods, so this little adventure I surprised him with was just perfect. It was relaxing, and the conductor gave the riders some really interesting facts throughout the trip about the area we were in at the time. We loved it.”

A review from Virginia-based Anna H. says, “We had a lovely time with Santa on this hour train ride with chocolate milk and cookies. Make sure you sign up as soon as it opens up; they go quickly. If you sign up for the newsletter, you will get an email in regards to the Santa train. They also have other adult-theme rides.”

Economic and Community Impact

The “Summer of Steam” event drew thousands of rail fans, historians, and families to central Virginia, said Tracy Hale Clark, executive director of the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce. The town of Louisa set up food trucks and vendor markets directly across the street from the depot, welcoming crowds and providing a major boost to local shops and restaurants. The celebration culminated over the Fourth of July weekend when the steam engine’s famous whistle officially kicked off Louisa’s Independence Day parade.

Cindy King, Louisa County community engagement and tourism manager, emphasized the broad economic benefits.

“Tourism is good for business,” she said. “It is commonly accepted that every $1 spent generates about $1.50 in total local economic activity in rural communities like ours. Each dollar ‘multiplies’ as it gets re-spent in the community.” King noted that in fiscal year 2025, transient occupancy tax revenue saved each Louisa County household an average of $71.06 in local taxes, with funds supporting public safety, education, and waste management.

King also highlighted the railway’s value for visitors. “The Virginia Scenic Railway excursions will help move visitors throughout the county to experience more of what Louisa has to offer,” she emphasized. “In addition to providing lake visitors with an additional attraction during their stay, the excursion trips may attract visitors that then choose to stay at the lake.”

Clark described VSR as a significant attraction that has not only brought nearby residents into Louisa but drawn people from all over to learn about the community. This translates into economic impact supporting all types of businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, gas stations, hospitality/lodging venues, and other attractions in the area. “VSR has been a wonderful corporate partner because they utilize local businesses for the work and renovations,” she said.

“Between the Santa Express and the ‘Summer of Steam’ this summer, the town itself has come alive with visitors, residents, and businesses all working together to demonstrate why we love Louisa,” Clark added. “This has been a big win for the town and county, boosting tourism, supporting small businesses, and strengthening our local economy.”

Looking Ahead

The Virginia Scenic Railway operates year-round and to date remains the only place in Virginia that offers regular passenger excursions. Powell summed up the railway’s appeal. “These excursions are perfect for someone that is looking for a new experience,” he explained. “Being on the train takes away all of the distractions of driving and lets people spend time talking and enjoying each other’s company.”

From themed experiences such as Murder by the Book and Sip & Savor Express to classic brunch and family-friendly rides, VSR continues to expand its offerings. Excursions departing from Louisa include:

Murder by the Book: An interactive Roaring Twenties-themed murder mystery with dinner and rail travel (2.5 hours)

Piedmont Explorer: A relaxing two-hour journey through Virginia’s scenic Piedmont region

Gordonsville Layover: A three-hour round-trip with a stop in historic Gordonsville, offering time to explore local shops and cafés, and a sweet treat on the return

Louisa Flyer: A three-to-four-hour laid-back excursion westbound toward Ivy, featuring a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere and meal

Sip & Savor Express: A three-hour wine tasting experience with monthly featured local wineries, curated pours, and charcuterie guided by an onboard wine expert

Sunday Brunch: A three-hour, mid-morning rail escape featuring chef-prepared brunch favorites and attentive service.

VSR also offers curated group experiences for corporate outings, celebrations, reunions, and private events. Group reservations are available during select months and vary by location.

Reservations are required for all train rides, and booking early offers the best selection of dates and times. Tickets for the Santa Express go on sale in early October, and signing up for the e-newsletter at VirginiaScenicRailway.com provides updates on ticket releases. Short-term rental owners interested in sharing information about VSR with guests are encouraged to contact tourism@louisacounty.gov.

For more information, visit VirginiaScenicRailway.com.

Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt is a Louisa County resident, author, and award-winning poet. Learn more about her at KatherineGotthardt.com.