A Brief History of the Cass Scenic Railroad | Look at their funny gears! | History in the Dark

Cass Scenic Railroad is a heritage railway in the mountains of West Virginia. They have been in operation in that form since the 1960's, but their history goes all the way back to 1901 and the logging industry. Also, their locomotives have funny gears! FUNNY GEARS, YOU GUYS!

0:00 - Intro
0:40 - History
5:23 - Present

"Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is a state park and heritage railroad located in Cass, Pocahontas County, West Virginia. It consists of the Cass Scenic Railroad, an 11-mile (18 km) long heritage railway owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority and operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The park also includes the former company town of Cass and a portion of the summit of Bald Knob, the highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain."

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[e-train]

The whistle technique used at Cass is LEGENDARY

[david]

Great video! I loved Cass ever since I was 5 and pretty much have never stopped visiting, experiencing, and learning about the area. It is a must for the railfan, history buff, and nature lover!
Should note; Whittaker Station was never utilized during the logging era at Cass, as it was part of the nearby Gum Farm. It was only till after the Cass Scenic Railroad was established that it was used as a rest stop, which actually the nearby Austin Meadow about a mile further up the track was suppose to be the rest stop. The recreated logging camp at Whittaker today was built by the Mountain State Railroad and Logging Historical Association/MSR&LHA in 1991.
The Cass Scenic Railroad used to offer trips to Spruce from around 2005 or 2006 till roughly around 2010, and since the takeover of the operations by the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad in 2015 which already had a train going to Spruce, it wasn't neccesary. However, that D&GV train "The Cheat Mountain Salamander" that went to Spruce has not returned since the pandemic. So it could be possible to ride trains to Spruce once again out of Cass.
Since the reconnection of the C&O Greenbrier Subdivision between Cass and Durbin. All steam related operations will be based out of Cass. So Heisler #6 has returned back to Cass, but needs some repairs after the 8 years running out of Durbin. Which hopefully one day we can see both a shay, a heisler, and climax operate at the same time!

[greg_mmm]

Two West Virginia videos in the same week. We are truly blessed.

[haydendegrow]

I have seen several articles in TRAINS magazine about Cass over my 15 year subscription, and each one has made me want to visit the place more and more. This video makes me want to visit it NOW!

[Ohiotrucker]

I used to call cass, the stemwinder railroad due to the Shays. I took my nephew by there and he adores them. Definitely a national treasure for sure.

[Dronesword]

Heisler number 6 is currently back at cass, as the D&GV finished the repairs of the line from cass to durbin. Cass also just purchased a second heisler, a smaller 2 truck one. They also have the D&GV’s 2 truck climax no 3 stored there awaiting overhaul. That little climax used to run the durbin rocket excursion back in the day. They also have a new ride offering called the greenbrier express that runs cass to durbin. Currently they are in the process of restoring the buffalo creek and gauly 2-8-0 number 4 to run on the greenbrier express. Love that railroad. Rode the bald knob excursion last year and many years before that did the D&GV excursions.

[RailPreserverK]

I've had the privilege of visiting this railroad about three times and I enjoyed every minute of it every single time

[jwrailve]

When I went to Ketchikan Alaska on a cruise they had a new port we entered into that was originally a saw mill, and they kept several boxcars and walled one side of them and put bathrooms in two, it was super unique to walk around it, I think they had said it closed in the 80’s
Always been intrigued by the shay geared types so this was an interesting mini doc please keep ‘em coming!

[Militiaman]

Cass is a 3 1/2 hour drive for me. Went there for the first time in July for our anniversary. Inspired me to get a shay for my HO scale layout. They also have a Heisler and a Climax locomotive. Though I didn't see either while I was there. Shay #2 was our locomotive for our trip.

[davidredfearn]

The boilers of those locomotives are offset to the left side to accommodate for the running gear and cylinders.

[harrisonofcolorado]

I remember watching Steam in the Spring and learning about the Cass Scenic Railroad from there. I thought it looked cool, and I hope someday to go there pretty soon.

[classstudios]

YES!!! I LOVE CASS!!!

I was only 5 or 6 when I first went to Cass. The train I was riding was pulled by Shay No. 11. Good memories.
Just before my 16th birthday, my parents took my back there. This time, Shay No. 4 pulled the train.

Long live the Gears at Cass!

[matthewpowell]

I haven't been there yet, but I have met their former No. 1 at the B&O Rail Museum back in 2022.

[Pepperknight]

Not only is Cass still running, but they're getting a new Hielser.

[RustyRailsProductions]

I went to cass earlier this year for the first time I’m planing on going back for one of their special events the parade of steam next year

[andrewwatkins]

Loved cass railroad and I remember the highest point bald knob is 5, 332 ft and can actually see several states even a rare hawk or two

[trainglen]

I saw an article about the Cass railroad in the Railfan and Railroad magazine. Thank you for doing a video on this unique line

[daskriegsman]

Shay #6 also holds the title for being 1 of only 2 surviving Western Maryland steam locomotives in existence. The other being WM #202. A K-2 Pacific based in Hagerstown, Maryland.







And you thought the NYC had it bad

[JonsGarage]

They finally opened the track between durbin and cass. Their running trains on it now, and eventually plan to have Buffalo Creek and Gauley 4 pull trains on there when they finish its restoration. It was previously numbered 604 at the North carolina transportation museum. I cant wait to see her run again.

[TheModelingNut]

My wife and I went there on our honeymoon a decade ago. Great scenic line!