Hundreds came to Manassas on Saturday for the 21st Annual Manassas Heritage Railroad Festival.
The highlight of the festival was the Norfolk & Western Class J 611 steam locomotive. The engine has been completely restored, and Manassas served as the first stop on it’s welcome back tour.
Several passengers on Saturday and Sunday took rides on the 611 from Manassas to Front Royal and back.
At the festival on Saturday, model railroads were set up under Harris Pavilion. Vendors set up their wares on West Street. Food vendors sold everything from barbeque to caramel popcorn. Civil War reenactors and their horses to the to the lawn of the Manassas Museum. Several bluegrass bands played on the Prince William County Parks and Recreation stage on Prince William Street.
There was also an appearance by Elsa and Anna, princesses from Disney’s Frozen. Both princesses rode with children on sold-out Virginia Railway Express trains from Manassas to Clifton and back.
