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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.

The 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-railroad state-park/ • https://mountainrailwv.com/tour/cass-scenic-rail road-bald-knob-trip/ • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_mFFclOFEI

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Getting There: Cass is best reached by highway or train.

• By highway, Cass is in eastern West Virginia, roughly between I-79 and I-81. Once you leave the interstate, the driving is over twisty two lane mountain roads. Cass is accessible by State Route 28/92N between Dunmore and Green Bank in Pocahontas County. An 11-mile connector route, WV 66, links the town of Cass to U.S. 219 which connects to Slaty Fork. The driving distance from Cass, West Virginia to Charleston, West Virginia is 158 miles and Roanoke is 141 miles away.

• By train, the Cheat Mountain Salamander offers service from Elkins.

• By air, The closest major airport to Cass, West Virginia is Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) in Lewisburg, W.W., 68 miles away. It is served by United and Silver. Check COVID-era schedules. The nearest airports with extensive service are Roanoke Regional Airport (ROA) at 121 miles and Washington Dulles International (IAD at 198 miles distant).

Must Sees For

a Short Trip: • Take a ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad to Whittaker Station or all the way to Bald Knob.

• Walk through the logging town of Cass and explore history, with or without a guide.

• Visit the Cass Company Store.

Train to Whittaker Station led by Shay locomotive #2 eases its way toward the station to pick up passengers as it glides by Shay #3 parked at the station.

• Take a ranger-led interpretive tour.

If You Have Several Days: • Explore the Snowshoe ski area.

• Visit nearby Green Bank and see the Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

• Take a combined ride on two trains with one ticket. The Cass Scenic (Smart Travel page 34)

Smart Travel / from page 33 Railroad connects with the diesel-drawn Cheat Mountain Salamander half way up the mountain and offers overnight package options in Elkins or Cass. Stops include Elkins, Cheat Bridge and Cass, WV.

• Ride the train and stay overnight in the caboose at Bald Knob, elevation 4,700 ft. Reservations required.

The station and ticket office at Cass.

This Destination At A Glance

Mobility Level: Fairly high. The town of Cass have hills and company houses can have steep steps.

When To Go: Avoid winter unless you are a skier. Late Spring, summer and fall are best.

Where to Stay. The 22 Cass Company Houses can be rented. They range from accommodating two to 12. The rustic Bear Creek Lodge is right across the river bridge from the train station. Close by are Seneca State Forest cabins and rustic

Passengers transferring from the Cass Scenic Railroad to the Cheat Mountain Salamander. campground, private campgrounds, smallish motels and other accommodations, especially near Snowshoe.

Getting Around: There is no public transportation except for the trains, walking or a car are necessary.

Whittaker Station, 3.8 rail miles from Cass, is a stop on the way.

Special Travel

Interests: Scenic train rides, mountain scenery, logging, history.

Jeff and Ginny Orenstein are travel writers who live on Florida’s West Coast. They can be reached at jorenstein@ SimplySmartTravel.com. Locomotive smoke as it pushes a loaded train uphill.