A Mountain Rail Extravaganza

The Cass Scenic Railroad and Other West Virginia Excursions

All aboard for an exciting rail journey through West Virginia’s breathtaking mountain scenery. Led by railroad historian Joe Nevin, this multi-day tour features three rail excursions, including a climb behind the geared steam locomotive of the Cass Scenic Railroad to the top of the second-highest point in the state.

Friday’s route descends into the scenic Shenandoah Valley before turning west into the region known as “Virginia’s Switzerland.” Continue west to the town of Durbin, West Virginia, and have lunch before a chartered trip on the last remaining 10 miles of the track along the upper Greenbrier River that once connected Durbin with Cass.

Saturday begins with a tour of the historic lumber town buildings and remnants of the great mills that once filled the valley. In Cass, board your train for an afternoon excursion (including an onboard lunch) to Bald Knob overlook, where a large platform offers panoramic views into two states and the Allegheny Mountains. On Sunday, visit the West Virginia Railroad Museum, where a specialized collection of memorabilia and railroad equipment tells the story of the state’s rail heritage. Then take your seat on the New Tygart Flyer for lunch and a fourhour round trip before returning to the station for your journey home.

Fri., June 2, 7:30 a.m.–Sun., June 4, 8:45 p.m.; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-MRE; Members $850; Nonmembers $1,050

The Distinctive Birds of Western Maryland

Habitats in the Wild

High elevation and precipitation levels in the mountains of Garrett County, Maryland, create avian habitats that closely resemble those found hundreds of miles farther north—providing birdwatchers an opportunity to observe a myriad of nesting species typically found in New England and Canada. Join naturalists and birding leaders Matt Felperin and Joley Sullivan for a full day of exploration in the Maryland panhandle region bordering Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

As you travel west on I-68, enjoy strategic stops along the way at distinctive habitats that host Henslow’s sparrows, bobolinks, grasshopper sparrows, black-billed cuckoos, and golden-winged, blue-winged, and cerulean warblers.

Then head to Garrett County’s New Germany State Park, a mountain gem filled with diverse forests and miles of trails, where you’ll be on the lookout for many species of warblers, red crossbills, and rose-breasted grosbeaks—and salamanders. The day ends at the Finzel Swamp Preserve near Frostburg, where you can watch for ruffed grouse, Nashville warblers, broad-winged hawks, and Alder flycatchers in this unique ecosystem.

Sat., June 3, 5 a.m.–7 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1ND-003; Members $185; Nonmembers $235

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