Simply Smart Travel
By Jeff and Virginia Orenstein
Cass, West Virginia: Steaming Back In Time To The Top Of Bald Knob Note; Since our travel is on hold due to the pandemic, we are updating past articles to help you plan for future trips. The venues mentioned are currently open, some by appointment, but check before you go.
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he Cass Scenic Railroad, part of the West Virginia State Park System, offers a nostalgic and educational train ride back in time. It’s fun for the whole family, not just rail enthusiasts. The railroad is currently operating with appropriate Covid-19 precautions. Cass is an authentic logging town, not an amusement park ride. The town is situated in the mountains, on the Greenbrier River. It is largely intact and looks a lot like it did in its logging era heyday, complete with an operating train station, company store, quaint shops, a couple of restaurants, company houses and a working steam railroad shop. The railroad line that is presently operating was built around
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The Cass Company Store adjacent to the Cass Station. Credit: Jeff Orenstein, Simply Smart Travel
the turn of the 20th century to haul logs down from the mountain. It connected with the branch that the C & O Railroad built in 1901 to reach logging country. A large lumber mill flourished in Cass until 1960 and its ruins are visible today. Even though the mill is gone and the C & O Railroad (now part of CSX) abandoned its branch to Cass, the town and its steam-powered logging railroad still flourish. The logging railroad operates as it once did except its geared steam engines haul tourists instead of logs up and down the mountain. The line’s features include meticulously-maintained historic rolling stock, steep grades, sharp curves, switchbacks, gorgeous views and a ride in open cars through the dense woods. Deep in the West Virginia mountains, Cass is way off the beaten path and not near any major urban areas. But despite its remote setting, it is a worthwhile destination that offers a rare glimpse into history and a memorable train ride. Before You Go! Check out • https://gotowv.com/ • www.cassrailroad.com • www.facebook.com/casssenicrailroad • https://wvstateparks.com/park/cass-scenic-railroadstate-park/ • https://mountainrailwv.com/tour/cass-scenic-rail road-bald-knob-trip/ • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_mFFclOFEI
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November 2020 // www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com
