Cass West Virginia Scenic Railway -  The Ride with a VIEW!

Downtown Cass! The general store was used by the logging company. 

If you decide to visit the National Radio Observatory in Green Bank WV - you're just a stones throw away from the CASS SCENIC  RAILWAY and a relaxing trip up the scenic mountain side to the top of Bald Knob - the second highest point in West Virginia at 4,702 feet above sea level. (click any photo to see a higher resolution image)

The Cass General Store, once the general store for the logging company now offers souvenirs, books and more to visitors.

Cass WV a town named for the owner of the lumber company and its railway has been converted to a tourist attraction offering scenic views of the Allegheny Mountain range from the converted logging cars of a Shay Steam Locomotive.

The 11-mile excursion trip leaves from the Cass depot pictured here. This is also the location of pieces/parts of out of service locomotives and what is left of the sawmill (destroyed by fire in the 1970's). Across the parking lot is the Greenbrier River which was used to float logs in the Cass millpond prior to processing.

The town's, now deserted, houses have been restored into cabins that are rented to tourists. The city - hospital, lockup, and all are there to be seen too.

Cass Depot - before leaving be sure to check the museum.

Engine 11 - a direct drive design allows roadside repairs to be made. 

Engine No 11 took us from the depot to the top of Bald Knob.  While the trip is only 22 miles (11 each way) it took all of 4 hours to make the climb from the station up 2,257 feet to the summit at 4,702 feet.

The engine, a Shay built in the Lima OH locomotive works is a "direct drive" type. It was designed for high steep climbs and slow speeds (only 6mph up hill and 8mph down hill).  The 4-hour trip uses 4 tons of coal and 6,000 gallons of water.

A fire is kept burning in the firebox - even at night when the engine is not running.

Engine #11 - pushed us up the mountain, Shay built in Lima Ohio. 

Inside view, from engineer's positon.

Inside view - viery dark inside the cab of the engine. 

While I was in the cab, the pop-off blew, very noisy indeed. 

Views of Engine 11 -- click on any image for a higher resolution view.

On the way up the mountain we paused in a switchback to allow the descending train (No 5) to pass us and continue it's trip down to the station.   We continued on to Whittaker Station for a 20-minute break. While at Whittaker station you can view the reconstructed logger cabins and see heavy equipment related to the logging operation.

The views from here and the rest of the way up the mountain are panoramic to say the least. On the way to the top, we paused to take on an additional 4,000 gallons of water to replace what we used. The train is able to load that large amount of water in less than 10 minutes using a steam siphon system.

Whittier Station, first stop on way up - logging equipment in background. 

Old Spruce - junction.

Old Spruce - where the Cass Line meets with the Cheat Mountain Line.

Letting off steam, taking on water.

Taking on water for the trip down 6,000 gallons were used for the trip.

Bald Knob, 4,702 feet above sea level.

View from the TOP! Bald Knob is the 2nd higest point in West Virginia.

Once on top you have about 45 minutes to explore Bald Knob.  And it can be quite windy up here too! The lookout deck (above) provides a clear view over the valley. Directly ahead and down the National Radio Observatory's largest (and newest) radio telescope is visible -- 400 feet tall and 400 feet across, it still looks small from this distance.

Box lunches are available (now they tell us) back down at the depot and at Whittier Station -- it would be a good idea to pick one up and have a little picnic while the engine cools for the trip back down.

 

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