Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

Home > Blog > All Aboard the 3rd Annual Railroad Day at Natural Tunnel State Park

All Aboard the 3rd Annual Railroad Day at Natural Tunnel State Park

By Amy AtwoodPosted July 13, 2015

I can remember being fascinated by the size and sound of the train cars when I was a kid, and I always wondered where the train had been and where it was heading. I was sure that the people who worked on the train had exciting adventures everyday as they traveled.

Railroad Day at Natural Tunnel is a visitor favorite

This year Natural Tunnel State Park will be hosting the 3rd Annual Railroad Day at Natural Tunnel on Saturday, July 18, 2015, and again this year my excitement is evident. As an adult, I realize the railroad has played a vital role in the economics and history of the area. The park and Norfolk Southern Railroad are partnering together to share this natural wonder and promote railroad safety.

The day’s events will be between 10:00 a.m.until 3:00 p.m., guests will be welcome to go to the tunnel, either by foot or chairlift. Due to visitor safety issues, the tunnel has been closed to foot-traffic for the past several years but for this event only, a waiver has been obtained that will allow visitors to explore the tunnel. This is, indeed, a rare opportunity.

The train schedule has been adjusted so no trains will actually be passing through the tunnel during the day

Other activities include guided tours of the tunnel

Norfolk Southern First Responders Locomotive #9-1-1 will be attending the event this year

Author Tony Scales will also be available with his book about Natural Tunnel. Light refreshments will be available for purchase.

This special event on Saturday July 18, 2015 is free to the public, although regular park fees do apply. Access for walking through the tunnel ends at 3 p.m., but the chairlift will remain open until 6 p.m.

For more information about Railroad Day at Natural Tunnel State Park, please contact the park office at (276) 940-2674 or email the park here. For directions to Natural Tunnel State Park click here, or for overnight camping or cabin reservations click here.

ALL ABOARD AT NATURAL TUNNEL STATE PARK!

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

COMMENTS

Virginia State Parks (July 12, 2016 06:09:07 PM): Details here: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/park-event-info?id=NT160048-00

Anonymous (July 12, 2016 06:01:52 PM): It is less than a week now and still no official announcement. Why hasn't there been any details?

Virginia State Parks (June 03, 2016 11:54:58 PM): The date has been set as July 16, 2016. We are still waiting on which locomotive will be features before we post all of the details.

Clayton (June 03, 2016 10:54:37 PM): I doubt you have any updates, but I am curious about if anything has been worked out yet with this year's Railroad Day?

Virginia State Parks (March 22, 2016 11:50:46 AM): We don't have it scheduled yet. There is quite a bit of logistics involved and much of it is outside our control.

Jeffrey W Miller (March 22, 2016 11:01:13 AM): Hello, is railroad day's scheduled for 2016? If so, could you please share the dates and announce the festivities and appearance of what special engine?