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Greenbrier Presidential Express

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The Greenbrier Presidential Express is a planned luxury passenger train that will operate between Union Station in Washington, D.C. and the train station at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. Its target start-up date is July 2, 2012.[1]

History

Following his purchase of The Greenbrier resort in his native West Virginia, millionaire coal entrepreneur Jim Justice launched a number of new initiatives aimed at reinvigorating the struggling property, including significant renovations, the Greenbrier Classic PGA Tour event, and the construction of a casino. He unveiled concept drawings for the Greenbier Presidential Express, designed to bring guests to and from the resort, at a June 2011 launch party in Washington, D.C.[2]

Efforts to prepare for the new train began with a $15 million investment by Justice to purchase and rehabilitate 15 passenger cars at a plant in Pennsylvania. The train's consist will be made up of baggage cars, club cars, and dining cars offering Greenbrier-style luxury. Most cars will be named after presidents who summered at the resort. The decor for these cars is being supervised by interior designer Carlton Varney, the student of the woman behind the Greenbrier's signature sytle, Dorothy Draper. Deluxe cocktails will be served during the 6-hour journey, and a registered nurse will be on hand to serve the passengers and plan treatments at the resort's spa and medical facilities.[3] Upon arrival, guests will be met by horse-drawn carriages at the station and conveyed across the street to the resort's main building.[4]

A 2-6-6-6 H8 "Allegheny" steam locomotive formerly used by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway has been refurbished and painted in Greenbrier Presidential Express livery to serve as the lead unit of the train. As of December 2011, it is stored at Clifton Forge, VA.[5]

Trains magazine reported in January 2012 that the future of the Presidential Express may be in doubt due to capacity problems on the Buckingham Branch railroad, a problem also affecting plans to make Amtrak's Cardinal (which also serves White Sulphur Springs) a daily train.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Bob Bryant's Big Little Railroad", Trains, January 2012, 51.
  2. ^ "Hotel Watch: The Greenbrier Express". Washington Life. Retrieved 19 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "Designer's palette full of color, full with projects". Saturday Gazette-Mail. Retrieved 19 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "The Frill Ride: Riding in Luxury on the Greenbrier Presidential Express". expressnightout.com. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  5. ^ "C&O 614 - The Greenbrier Presidential Express - v1.1 - 3:21". Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  6. ^ "Bob Bryant's Big Little Railroad", Trains, January 2012, 51.

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