Cass Scenic Railroad
WV
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About Cass Scenic Railroad
Ride historic steam trains, explore Cass’s logging heritage, scenic mountain views, hiking, cabins, and outdoor fun at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, WV.
History
Cass Scenic Railroad was founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company to serve a company town that cut spruce and hemlock for the West Virginia Spruce Lumber Company, a subsidiary of the mill operator. After the mill and railroad were sold to Mower Lumber Company in June 1942, the line operated until July 1 1960, when Mower shut it down because of a rapid timber‑industry decline; the assets were then transferred to a holding company that began scrapping equipment until local businessmen, led by Russell Baum, persuaded the state legislature to designate the line a state park, which was formally created in 1961 and began tourist excursions in 1963. The railroad was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 12 1974, and in 1977 the park acquired the entire company town of Cass and the former hardwood mill. Since 2015 the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad has operated the line under a lease with the West Virginia State Rail Authority, while the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources retains ownership of the right‑of‑way and park facilities.
The Trains
The Cass Scenic Railroad runs on 11 miles (18 km) of 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm) standard‑gauge track that climbs Back Allegheny Mountain from the historic Cass depot to Whittaker Station, the abandoned town of Spruce, and the summit of Bald Knob. Its roster includes eight Shay geared locomotives, a single Heisler locomotive and a Climax locomotive that volunteers are presently restoring. All of the historic equipment pulls converted log cars and other flat‑car‑type rolling stock along the mountain grades.
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Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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