Cass Railroad Depot
And Elkins isn’t the only destination. If
you’re looking for a true mountain getaway,
the Cass Scenic Railroad and Durbin
may be the destination for you. The Cass
Scenic Railroad is a steam locomotive
treasure and the home of a former timber
hauling railroad and logging community.
With more than 100-year-old company
houses, remnants of a saw mill, and the
largest collection of geared steam ‘Shay’
locomotives, the Cass Scenic Railroad is a
household name for West Virginians and a
place truly unlike anything else.
“Cass is a treasure - there’s really no other
way to explain it. You wake up hearing the
steam train whistle echo off the hills as
you sit on the porch of a company home
enjoying a cup of coffee. It’s a beautiful start
to the day that just keeps getting better,”
says Gunnoe, who was an avid railroad
enthusiast and native West Virginian who
visited the railroad years prior to working
for the company.
The Cass Scenic Railroad takes passengers
to a former logging camp known as
Whittaker Camp and to the very top of
the mountain at Bald Knob overlook. Bald
Knob is West Virginia’s second highest
mountain - reaching more than 4,800
feet in elevation. Trains operate through
switchbacks and up a 9 percent grade.
Whether you’re visiting Elkins for arts and
entertainment, history or stepping back
in time on the Cass Scenic Railroad for
an experience from the early 1900s, West
Virginia’s MountainRail Adventures offers
a variety of trips that cater to visitors with
different objectives and interests. Day trips
remain a popular option, but weekend
getaways are increasingly popular because
they give visitors the chance to experience
the area, form a friendship with local
tourism folks, and connect with nature.
Learn more about MountainRail
Adventures, their vacation options, and
more history about the uniqueness of one
of West Virginia’s most hidden treasures.
www.mountainrail.com and call 304-636-
9477 for a brochure and other information!
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