The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is a Railroad and Company Town surviving from the days when the company that you worked for often housed and fed you and your family. As a piece of American History it is priceless and fascinating. As a vacation destination, it is beautiful, family friendly, and really fun! Just don't plan to stay in the Company Houses in August when it is really hot and muggy because... Yep, air conditioning is not a particularly historical artifact and the Company Houses don't have it!
For day trips, the park along the Greenbriar River, the railroad, the company store, and the rest of the displays are really great. Railfans, of course, will be in seventh heaven as Cass is the absolutely best place to see large geared locomotives in action. There are several 3-truck Shays in operation, with two Climax locomotives undergoing rebuild in the shop. Unfortunately the lone Heisler is on loan down to Durbin so you'll have to go a few miles away to complete the "geared loco trifecta".
For people who don't swoon at the smell of coal smoke and can't discuss the relative merits of power versus manual reverser systems... well, it's a great place for a family day and a really fun train ride if you take it. The West Virginia scenery is easily on par with the best you will find anywhere. And, while It isn't a cheap ride, it...The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is a Railroad and Company Town surviving from the days when the company that you worked for often housed and fed you and your family. As a piece of American History it is priceless and fascinating. As a vacation destination, it is beautiful, family friendly, and really fun! Just don't plan to stay in the Company Houses in August when it is really hot and muggy because... Yep, air conditioning is not a particularly historical artifact and the Company Houses don't have it!
For day trips, the park along the Greenbriar River, the railroad, the company store, and the rest of the displays are really great. Railfans, of course, will be in seventh heaven as Cass is the absolutely best place to see large geared locomotives in action. There are several 3-truck Shays in operation, with two Climax locomotives undergoing rebuild in the shop. Unfortunately the lone Heisler is on loan down to Durbin so you'll have to go a few miles away to complete the "geared loco trifecta".
For people who don't swoon at the smell of coal smoke and can't discuss the relative merits of power versus manual reverser systems... well, it's a great place for a family day and a really fun train ride if you take it. The West Virginia scenery is easily on par with the best you will find anywhere. And, while It isn't a cheap ride, it is a great value in my opinion.
So, if you are looking for a marvelous "day-trip", want to stay somewhere else and visit Cass.... OR if it isn't high summer and you want to stay in the historic and quite comfortable "Company Houses", then Cass should be on your future plans.
Two final notes... First we had NO cellular or internet reception. Second, the little store across the river is very poorly stocked and managed, so bring everything you need or be prepared to take scenic but fairly lengthy drive to the nearest town.More
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