Cass Scenic Railroad: 63 years against the Mountain October 2024

The Cass Scenic Railroad has been around since 1963, hauling tourists and railfans up and down the mountains of Pocahontas County. The railroad holds the distinction of having the largest collection of operating geared locomotives in the world, in addition to having the oldest and largest Shay locomotives existence. The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad operates the CSRR for the state of West Virginia, and they offer several excursions to the public.

This video starts out with Shay 5 coming into the Cass depot with the Greenbrier Express in tow. This train originates in Cass and travels up the newly opened 15-mile ex C&O RY Greenbrier sub to Durbin, WV. Then Shay 4 comes in with the twice daily train to Whittaker station. We then take a ride on the 2pm Whittaker train, showing the 2 switchbacks, as well as a surpise cab ride back down the mountain. We then catch the Cast-away caboose train (hauled by an ex-Navy 44 tonner) and then Shay 5 a few miles out of Durbin, at a place called Nottingham. We catch up with Shay 5 at the C&O and Western Maryland Railway connection on the wye in Durbin. The video then closes with us chasing Shay 2 with the 4 hour round trip train to Bald Knob.

Special thanks goes to the Cass Scenic Railroad engine and train crews for their whistle artistry, hospitality, and keeping this place alive for future generations.

[Bigjimvideo]

Fantastic video - makes me miss Cass even more!!!!

[johnbishop]

This is the best video of a Shay I have ever seen. Hands down❤, thank you for taking the time to record this beautiful symphony of #4. The sound is outstanding!
Someone should pay you for this😂
I would

[meteors]

Back when I was in Cass in the 70s they used two Shay to go up the Bald Knob 5# and 6#. I spent at least 3 weeks in Cass living in My grandparents' house every summer and walking the path to the train's good memories

[melmen]

Shay 5 has seen alot. Being in cass since she was new in 1905.

[atsfevan]

I’d sure love to visit this place some day. I may not be a big fan of shays, Cass is the reason I happen to like them so much.

[jerryrollins]

Can you put your video on a DVD? Wouldn't mind buying one if available.

[jeffmurdock]

I've noticed that since Barkley left and also since the state no longer runs the day-to-day operations, the engines aren't kept up as well. They were always black as a crow with polished brass, but they look greasy now and even show rust. Doesn't seem the same. In one video, I saw old #5's smoke screen clogged something awful, pouring smoke from its sides cuz she couldn't breathe. Hard to watch.