SCHEDULE

The 2009-2012 Greenbrier Presidential Express Project

All Aboard Luxury! was the catch phrase of the planned Greenbrier Presidential Express.

And what a train it would have been.

Fifteen railroad passenger cars and matching locomotives were in production to carry well-heeled guests from the working world of Washington, DC to a world of relaxation at the Greenbrier Resort in rural White Sulphur Springs, WV.

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The Greenbrier Resort was the motivation behind the effort to create The World's Finest Train - The Greenbrier Presidential Express.

By 2009, the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV was legendary - and had been for two centuries.

The resort area had roots going back to 1778. A natural sulphur spring in the area became the focus of Southerners seeking relief from the stresses and ailments associated with the big cities. The first hotel had been built on the property in 1858 - The Grand Central Hotel. During the Civil War the hotel changed hands between the Confederate and Union armies. In 1869, the same year the Transcontinental Railroad was completed out west, rail service came to the front door of the resort. In 1910, the C&O Railway purchased the resort and soon constructed a colossal 6-story hotel that is the core of the resort today. The resort became a year-round destination. Soon the railroad introduced golf to the resort. The second World War broke out and the US government bought the hotel for use as a hospital. In 1946, the railroad bought it back.

The hotel was given a complete makeover by famed designers Dorothy Draper & Company. Their signature red and green floral designs define the look of the hotel to this day.

In the 1950s, a secret underground bunker was constructed at the resort to act as a relocation point for Congress in the event of a nuclear attack on the US. This secret was kept for three decades, only coming to light in 1992, at which time it was decommissioned.

Through the rest of the 21st century, the resort thrived under the continued ownership of the C&O and successor CSX. By the 1970s, 26 US presidents had stayed there. But by the turn of the century, red ink was starting to fill the books.

With the resort facing mounting financial pressure, CSX sold the property to the Justice Family Group in 2009. Local energy magnate Jim Justice was a fan of the resort, and was focused on returning it to its former glory.

To that end, the hotel was refurbished. Golf was re-emphasized. The Bunker was repurposed and opened to public tours. A casino was added to the resort's long list of amenities and attractions.

But to support all these upgrades, more patrons would have to make their way to the resort. One way to get them there would be by train, direct from Washington, DC.

Not any train would do. This one would have to be something special.

Something like the Greenbrier Presidential Express.

In 2009, Justice financed the Greenbrier Express Company. It's mission was to build America's first and only all first class passenger train specifically to run between DC and the Greenbrier Resort.

Ross Rowland, Jr. was brought in to direct the acquisition and refurbishment of locomotives and cars. Dorothy Draper & Co. was again commissioned to do interior design for this new project.

In 2011, fifteen railcars were acquired from the former American Orient Express and American Railway Explorer trains. Three locomotives were acquired and sent to the New Hope & Ivyland RR for pre-painting tune ups. The hunt was on for two baggage cars to serve as power cars. A facility in Pottstown, PA was identified that could hold the railcars during refurbishment. C&O locomotive 614 was moved to Clifton Forge, VA - and given striking GBX paint - anticipating the railroad might someday once again relax its stance on steam locomotives.

The train was to eventually consist of 17 cars that would ferry 210 guests from Washington each Tuesday and return them to the big city on Sunday. Horse-drawn carriages would meet the train in White Sulphur Springs to take them the short distance to the resort. There they could enjoy all the resort had to offer for the next four days.

Though construction of the train was well under way, in 2012 the decision was made to mothball the effort and re-evaluate the idea under current market conditions. The train project never restarted. The cars of the GBX were sold at auction in 2014.

Today, the reborn Greenbrier Resort continues its tradition of upscale hospitality. But without a train. At least not yet.