West Virginia's most famous resort, The Greenbrier, plans to revive the luxury train experience in America next year when it launches The Greenbrier Presidential Express, a direct rail connection between the resort — located in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. — and Washington, D.C., it announced last month.
Debuting in July 2012, The Greenbrier Presidential Express will be modeled off the 20th Century Limited, an express passenger train — known as the "Most Famous Train in the World" — that operated from 1902 until 1967, connecting Grand Central Terminal in New York City to LaSalle Street Station in Chicago. Featuring The Greenbrier's signature Dorothy Draper décor, the train will include 15 cars accommodating up to 240 passengers, who'll take a six-hour trip between the resort and Washington, D.C.'s Union Station.
Amenities will include a board room car for meetings, a salon car and even an open-air car for admiring views and photography.
"We want to bring back the glamour of rail travel," said The Greenbrier Chairman and Owner Jim Justice. "Everything from the décor to the food will make you feel as if you are already at the resort."
Added West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin III, "I am thrilled that The Greenbrier Presidential Express will soon bring people directly to West Virginia to see our beautiful state, meet our wonderful people and enjoy the place we all call home."