Cass Scenic Railroad (snow excursion)

[@hiviz1763]

Rode #4 at the Cass railroad last week in West Virginia. Had a blast, highly recommended and enjoyable ride!

[@bullfrog1954]

Glad you enjoyed it-in person, and hopefully in this video! Now working on classic Cass from 1998! Hopefully out soon! Thank You!

[@jbailess1]

I have always loved the selection of the Lunkenheimer 3 for Shay 4 that is a perfect combination. I agree with all those who have already said it the snow just makes this video wonderful. Thanks so much for posting it!

[@claimless]

9:03 would probably be my favorite right now. Can't stop listening to the echo off the mountains.

[@mushtaqabdelaziz7583]

من العراق.......تحيه اجلال وإكبار لتلك العقول الجباره. من الرجال والنساء التي ابتكرت تلك الوسائل لراحة الانسانيه....نحن مدينون لهم بكل هذا التقدم الذي تعيشه البشريه الان.....تحيه لهم ولقبورهم

[@AlfysOutdoorAdventures]

great vid, seeing bald knob in the snow was amazing, its a dream of mine to be there while it is snowing

[@ChamplainValleyRailSnapshots]

What an awesome railroad and great video! Thank you for putting this up!

[@bullfrog1954]

+Champlain Valley Rail Snapshots Thank You for viewing & commenting! I also have a video up of how we did this!

[@evanf1293]

must be rare see snow when the rains at cass are running

[@bullfrog1954]

This was in MAY!! Talk about rare! We had fall, winter and spring in one day! Thanx for viewing.

[@johnnym.6610]

Thanks for posting this fantastic video, I'm going to have to make it out there someday.

[@JoeIsCrazyWillman]

What luck! That's absolutely gorgeous

[@bullfrog1954]

Thank You very much! Honestly, it was all unexpected! After all-it was spring!

[@bullfrog1954]

That I really couldn't tell you-I'm not 100 percent sure of all the inner workings of these things-but they are incredible machines to see in person! I hope you get the opportunity to check them out someday! I'm gonna make an effort to get out there in May, and if I do, I'll pose your question to the train crew! I've only operated diesels myself, but my present condition unfortunately precludes me making a career of operating them! Good Luck in your endeavors!

[@bullfrog1954]

@david245611 Thanx for your comment! While the railroad does operate its own railfan excursions this one was all our own, having been put on by the same gentleman who put on the West Virginia Northern RR trip I shot back in 1996 (he appears in the runby video I posted). He commented during the snow trip that if he knew there would be snow he could have sold the tickets for double! But snow in May? Who knew?? Unusual even for West Virginia! Glad you enjoyed.

[@Engine201]

Very cool video Gus, you got a lot of different vantage points!

[@bullfrog1954]

Cool! I used to pass through Georgia en route to Florida! This was back in the pre-I-95 days, so we used US 301 from Maryland south. Anybody still use that route? It was a 1 1/2 day journey back then, so we'd stay overnight in a motel in Sylvania! Great days and memories!

[@bullfrog1954]

These are Shay logging locomotives, designed for power as opposed to speed. They were the mainstay of the logging industry from 1900 to 1960. Two other manufacturers also made logging locos, Climax and Heisler. These locos had gears powering the drivers, as opposed to drive rods on "road" steamers. The audio at the Spruce scene is incredible in surround! Thanx 4 viewing!

[@bullfrog1954]

Thanx Bobby! This was really unexpected! It's the middle of MAY! But it's this sort of thing that makes the private excursions worth the bucks-the train's all OURS to do anything we want with! Actually TWO trains!! You oughta get out there one day! It's a nice drive out there too-great mountain scenery!

[@bullfrog1954]

Thanx!! I might be going out there next spring (assuming the world doesn't end in December) and hope for another May blizzard! But something tells me I'm lucky to have caught this!

[@shayfan]

Very nice, I had never seen video of this trip. The MSRLHA were just finishing up the WYE during the snowstorm, you can see them in the video. Kind of reminds me of the snow we had last October, nothing like steam in the snow.

[@bullfrog1954]

Wow-I've passed through Marlinton more times than I can count! Used to stop at the former Durbin line station while it still existed (vid posted)-and the Subway at US 219! One of my favorite places in Pocahontas County, along with Cass! Then again, I like WV in general! Thanx 4 viewing & commenting! P.S. Recall the 1985 flood-shame what it did to the town.

[@jdgfilms9595]

Wow, Amazing video! This is one of the best cass videos yet, i cant stop watching this video! 3 seasons thats crazy, i always wondered why the seasons changed, AMAZING! And for 97 the the footage is outstanding!!!! I love the echos too especially the one 9:27!, also i subscribed! Keep up the ralfanning! :)

[@bullfrog1954]

Thank You very much! That day came as a big surprise to all of us! We didn't plan on a snow trip! Very brutal conditions to video under, but glad I did, looking back! And I will keep up the railfanning!

[@bullfrog1954]

It's in Cass West Virginia-about 60 miles south of Elkins WV on state highway 66. The train climbs from Cass to Bald Knob, WV's 2nd highest point, elevation 4800 ft. It's really off-the-beaten-path...just the way I like it! That's as exact as I can explain-thanx 4 viewing!

[@cassscenic4]

The whistle on 4 is a 5.5inch Lunkenhiemer. Great video also!

[@brianfalzon6739]

What happened to it now?

[@brianfalzon6739]

Sounds like a fun place to visit one day.

[@bullfrog1954]

It really is!

[@timgreen4137]

When I rode this train 25 years ago, we were told that there are still places in that part of the country that are accessable only by train.

[@bullfrog1954]

I think that makes it all the more interesting! Story is that that's why Spruce didn't flourish for too long-it never had a road! Thanx for viewing. -Gus P.S. Working on more classic Cass.

[@bullfrog1954]

@shayfan But still most of us don't expect blizzard conditions in May! I've heard that the WV snow season can start as early as October, but never suspected it could last until a few weeks before summer! And, I agree, nothing like steam in the snow! It seems like the cold weather makes for better plumes, probably because of more condensation due to the extra cold. Still, although I was ill-prepared for the cold, I'm grateful for the chance to have taken a snow trip on the Cass train! Wonderful!!

[@MrDrums76]

okay thanks. im live in georgia and theres some really scenic places up in north georgia in the blue ridge mountains. i actually took a trip to west virginia with a friend to visit his family a few years back,dont remember the towns name but we went to a place called rock camp.there were some really beautiful places up there.

[@martabragasilvahonorato5387]

Ki.lindo parabéns 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿💞💞💞

[@bullfrog1954]

Thank You for viewing!

[@bullfrog1954]

That's one of my favorite spots too! Thanx!

[@bullfrog1954]

@david245611 P.S. Cass actually has two #6s. One is the ex-WMRY Shay in this video; the other is a logging loco of the Heisler variety. The difference is the Shay has an off-center boiler while the Heisler has a centered boiler (specifically designed for Henry Ford who thought the off-center boiler was ugly and did not want one on his property!). Technically a railroad can't have two similarly numbered locos but somehow Cass is doing it.

[@pinkfreud62]

I've been on this train a couple times growing up and in the autumn about 10 yrs ago. That would be really cool to ride it with the snowfall. It's kinda funny how your face gets sprinkled with soot along the way.

[@bullfrog1954]

pink freud62 This was a totally unexpected storm! I got sprinkled with both soot and snow that day! In autumn it's one thing; a blizzard a month before summer is another! Thanx 4 viewing! -Gus

[@royreynolds108]

The off-center boiler is to counterweight the cylinders. Old Henry did have a Shay and had it centered but to counter the weight shift rail had to be added to the left running board. Check out Kock's books about Shays.

[@bullfrog1954]

@BaltimoreAndOhioRR The Shay at the Museum is fun to look at, but the real experience is riding behind one (or in the cab)! The off-center boiler caught me off-guard too at first! In fact, Henry Ford thought Shays to be UGLY and didn't allow them on his property! He had one designed with a centered boiler by Heisler that looked more conventional. The story behind these is traction-hence geared tender wheels, tho I have seen Shays slip! Thanx 4 viewing-as usual.

[@bullfrog1954]

@david245611 Interesting story behind this 6. It spent most of its years in Baltimore's B&O Museum before being brought out and transported to Cass for operation. Most locos operate then go to museums; this loco went to the museum then brought out and operated! This particular Shay was the last Shay ever built and the second largest. When the Western Maryland ordered it in the late 40s it actually did operate for about 6 months at a mine at Vindex MD before being sent to the B&O Museum.

[@bullfrog1954]

@mfptb425 Thanx for watching! Believe me, the snow puts the "scenic" in Cass Scenic RR! Still it was a very frigid ride!! None of us came prepared for it! Nobody expects a blizzard on Mothers' Day! Operating an 8mm camcorder with numb fingers was no picnic!

[@rafe5556]

I like how the locomotives face forward.

[@bullfrog1954]

They're normally at the end of the train, facing backward on the way out. They did it this way just for us! Glad they did, looking back! Thank You for watching! -Gus

[@bullfrog1954]

@bdkalltheway Thanx! Considering how cold and miserable the day was it was a real challenge! Some scenes were shot with the camera on a tripod; others were handheld, but I managed to pull it off despite shivering all day! And I try to be professional in my editing with captions and things. Again-thanx!

[@buddyclem7328]

bullfrog1954 You sure did have a great camera for the late 1990s! That footage still looks good in 2018. Thanks for making Cass and West Virginia look so good! I have not yet seen snow on that route, but maybe I will get lucky next time. Liked and subscribed.

[@bullfrog1954]

Surprised I was able to function on that cold wet day! Didn't expect a blizzard in May! West Virginia is one of my favorite places, and I still have a few acquaintances there! Thank You for subbing! I subbed back! -Gus

[@lonelykillerwolf6110]

10:57 what a great runby

[@bullfrog1954]

Yes it was! Thank You!

[@bullfrog1954]

@david245611 Really? I honestly don't recall anybody there in 1997 named Richard Carter! But you could be right! I just don't recall the name since I've been going there in 1986! My last visit there was 2003 and still don't remember a Richard Carter!

[@원영국-k8e]

13살 소년으로 돌아간것 같아요 새파란 그시절이 그리워요

[@bullfrog1954]

Thank You very much! Somehow this is my hottest vid going! There's a lot of snow, but don't forget one thing: this was shot in MAY!! Almost summer!! If you want more check out my "Making of" vid-it'll show you what we went through to get this!

[@tarrykenny2302]

T.c

[@bullfrog1954]

Brian, you're RIGHT!! Steam & snow=great combination! But, as you see in the other comments, that was one BRUTAL vid sesssion! If you can ever get out there I highly urge you to ride this incredibly fascinating line! Friendly crew, you might say? I know the ENTIRE crew-VERY friendly! Got cab ride vid posted too! Thanx 4 watching!!

[@bullfrog1954]

I believe it to have been an old Alco switcher, but not really sure. You can see me operating it! Search for my vid called "More West Virginia Northern Railroad (cab ride-runby-more cab ride!)." The line is now abandoned but there is a DVD for sale of it which features my vids! It includes rare footage only I have!

[@bullfrog1954]

@shayfan The sno-caps we had the next morning were neat! We stayed in Bartow and had them all around us!

[@bullfrog1954]

Thank You!

[@mattdotsonrailfanproductio266]

12:07 what locomotive is that?

[@bullfrog1954]

What that is is an auxiliary water tank, possibly made from an old Shay boiler. It's used for longer runs-it's hauled to a certain site sometime before the excursion, and the locos stop by it to take water if necessary. It's often used when trains go to the former WM line at the Spruce site, as the Shays normally need a bit of water on the return trip to Cass.

[@bullfrog1954]

@mfptb425 I'm just glad my camera didn't freeze! My fingers did!

[@bullfrog1954]

@wvman2010 Believe me, the snowstorm was purely accidental! The railroad stopped letting folks charter snow rides in winter so we thought we would never have a snow trip! I dreamed your dream many times before this trip but never suspected my dream would come true-in the month of MAY, no less! But, geez, it was COLD!!

[@bullfrog1954]

Thanx for clarifying that! I'm really not familiar with all the whistle types-I only know they sound good! Actually sounds like a German name-is it? That's one term I haven't heard! Glad you enjoyed the vid-tried to provide excellent stereo sound along with the picture! Now-if only I could get out there again somehow...

[@bullfrog1954]

@tylereightynine I know Danny Seldomridge, Wayne Cassell and Artie Barklay were all there but it's been a while and I can't really remember who was operating which loco.

[@bullfrog1954]

I had no idea it was! I'll have to check other vids-before this one-and see if there's any difference!

[@shayfan]

@bullfrog1954 Yes, you can definitely see snow in May at Cass. But for it to happen during a charter was definitely very special, you were lucky! And yes, you are spot on why there is more steam when it is cold out. During Cass Railfan 07 we had a snowstorm the night before the Cass activities, unfortunately it had mostly melted off, that was May 18th!

[@grandparails8858]

Great video,makes me home sick as I'm from Marlinton,WV

[@MegaMattMorris]

Fantastic

[@bullfrog1954]

Thank You! Can't believe this month it's 20 years!

[@TheRandomRedRailfan]

Well, I’ve played my fair share of Roblox railroading games, and to think that one GTW 6 chime sfx came from 11:18, I love this video, and as a fellow West Virginian, I love Cass, tho I’ve never been, I want to soon

[@bullfrog1954]

You live in WV and never been to Cass?? You're missing a great experience! I was captivated from my first trip in May 1986! BTW Where in WV do you live (if you don't mind me asking)? I'm familiar with parts of the state and have posted videos.

[@TheRandomRedRailfan]

@@bullfrog1954 I know its hard to believe but I havent been! My family has around the early 2000s, My Grandparents, Mom, Dad (I think) And two sisters went but I hadnt gone and I really dont remember why, as to where I am, I am in whats sadly the poorest county in the US, Mcdowell. If you go along the Norfolk Southern (ex N&W) Pocahontas division, You'll more then likely go straight threw my town

[@TheRandomRedRailfan]

@@bullfrog1954 I know its hard to believe but I havent been! I want to go sometime soon tho, As for where I live? Sadly in the poorest county in the US, Mcdowell..

[@MrWolfpackleader]

Thanks For Posting! ^^ incredible Weather And Loco's! I Pray I Get The Opportunity To Ride One Of The Old Steamers Maybe Even Drive One! I've Concederd a Career In Locomotives. Scenery,Trains And The Challenge! PS: If they're Designed For Power Is It Difficult For The Drivers To Use The Regulator?

[@bullfrog1954]

Thank You! I also have a vid posted on the making of this one-with more snow!

[@ucallthatatweet]

Have you ever been lucky enough to film that area when the leaves are in full color, but with light snow barely sticking? That happened to me on a different mountain, but by the time I could park my car, it was too dark for pictures.

[@bullfrog1954]

Unfortunately I haven't been lucky enough to photograph the area with colorful leaves and snow! I've shot it one way or the other but not both! But that is a very beautiful area either way. One of my favorite areas to visit!! I feel lucky just catching this! Hard to believe summer was just a few weeks away when I did! If you're interested, I'll be posting more Cass in the not-too-distant future, both classic and more recent. Thanx 4 viewing & commenting!

[@Zanewv]

Cass is awesome!

[@bullfrog1954]

Zane Wv Yes it is!!

[@ingridclerge2217]

Zane Wv t

[@Geardproductions]

The new one looks like the number under the cab window. The old one had more straight lines.

[@bullfrog1954]

Thanx!! Whatever that means...

[@bullfrog1954]

Yeah, Dylan, if all turns out as I hope, and if everything lines up right next May-I'm going back!! You bet!

[@bullfrog1954]

You're quite welcome! Despite the incredibly brutal conditions we all had fun!

[@MrDrums76]

everybody pretty much just sticks to i-85 nowdays and takes431south to 240 south into florida,thats the 2 most taken routes that i take. then again im only 180 miles from panama city beach,fla.

[@bullfrog1954]

@david245611 I too love the sound of big 6's whistle.

[@cassscenic4]

Great lunkenhiemer!!

[@bullfrog1954]

Gotcha! NP!

[@bullfrog1954]

You're quite welcome!

[@bullfrog1954]

I guess a small detail like that escaped me!

[@MrWolfpackleader]

Thanks ^^ and Uh...If You Don't Mind Me Asking... What Was The Model Of The Diesel You Drove? (DC,AC) Dash9?

[@shayfan]

@bullfrog1954 Ohh definitely, Winter is beautiful in that area.

[@97trainman]

where was shay 5 in all of this?

[@matthewpering8091]

bullfrog1954 Great to see this 20-year-old video. But I am trying to figure out the grades. They seem extremely steep for any loco, let alone a Shay. Do you happen to know the maximum grade on the RR? This would help me a lot, since I am currently about to begin building a 1.5" model of the Shay, and am trying to calculate the finesse my throttle is going to have to have to negotiate such steep inclines. I know the sanding system on the full-sized Shays is also a factor, but the maximum grade would be appreciated. Thank you.

[@bullfrog1954]

I believe the worst grade on Cass is 11%, with a couple others around 9%. It's that gearing to each wheel that allows those Shays to surmount grades that steep. But I have seen them slip on occasions! Not a lot, though. Also, I haven't seen a heck of a lot of sand used with the Shays for some reason. Again-maybe that special gearing. I've thought of getting an HO Shay myself one of these days. Thanx for viewing. -Gus

[@matthewpering8091]

Thanks for the info, Bullfrog1954. I have a couple of HO Shays, but this one is 7.5" gauge live steam that I am going to build, a totally different animal. Not only is throttle skew important in live steam, but gear ratios as well. Just still in the design phase at the moment, so I am collecting information. Thanks again. :)

[@bullfrog1954]

I'm familiar with the basics of live steam, and I know it can be as intricate as full-scale steam. Almost got into it back in the 80s. Hope everything works out for you!

[@timgreen4137]

bullfrog1954 I rode an excursion up the mountain on one of their trains. They actually lubricate the rails with water, in front of the driver's. This keeps the wheel flanges from climbing the rails, and derailing in the curves. They may also have sanding when needed for traction though.

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

What whistle is on shay 6? I know it's some kind of 6 chime but what railroad??

[@bullfrog1954]

I'm not too familiar with all the whistle designations, but I know what sounds good! Had I been asked that 20 years ago, might have been able to answer!

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

What I believe it's a Boston and Maine 6 Chime. Cass had one back then

[@ryanseals_]

Stock Nathan 6 Chime

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

Oh ok, thanks

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

It's kinda sounds like this kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ_TgZ6YatN-eKcm44s

[@MrWolfpackleader]

Very Cool! ill Be Sure To Watch And Comment ^^ (BTW Switch It...I Meant the reverser Not The Regulator...)

[@bullfrog1954]

Thanx a lot!! Also check out my vid on the making of this one if you wanna see more!

[@RailPreserver2K]

N&W whistle at 4:33

[@bullfrog1954]

N&W? I would never have suspected!

[@RailPreserver2K]

at 4:24 till 4:44 u can hear the N&W whistle better, ik its n&w because of how it sounds, it sounds similer to the 1218s whistle btw i subscribed

[@RailPreserver2K]

just subscribed

[@bullfrog1954]

Just subbed you too! -Gus

[@MemphisMojo15s]

bullfrog1954 my family and I stayed in the Caboose on Bald Knob just this past weekend for my sons 13th birthday 😁 It was fun! I shared the videos if you're interested. Nice video here man. You I earned another sub! PS..we've ridden the Whittaker stop 9 times and Bald Knob 3.

[@angler2058]

👍

[@Geardproductions]

When was shay 6's number plate changed?

[@MrWolfpackleader]

I love trains! But forgive me, what is the exact name of those beautiful steamers? 9:03 = Spine Tingling! :)

[@jdgfilms9595]

3-Truck Shays

[@zacb6909]

i LOVE the chime they had on Shay #2 when this was filmed. is that one a West Coast chime?

[@bullfrog1954]

I'm not too familiar with all the whistles, but it does sound good!

[@BTCRAILFILMS]

The best time to film a steam train = in the snow, in the forest!

[@michaeldougfir9807]

Excellent! Loved the mix of seasons, the steepness of grade info, and they even had the locos going frontwards. Why 2 units at times? What were the empty cars for?

[@bullfrog1954]

+Michael Dougfir Thank You for viewing and commenting! When we did these private excursions, we'd experiment with different loco/consist combinations for artistic license, but still try to be in keeping with 'traditional' logging train lash-ups. The empty cars represent what the logging train would've looked like back in its day; just without the logs! But we've done excursions where the RR actually went through the trouble of loading logs onto those cars for more authenticity. A loader used to be in the consist before being retired and placed on display at Whittaker. In my vid from 1986 you'll see the loader. And, yes, those grades are very steep! If there's anything else I can answer for you, feel free to ask! Thanx again. -Gus

[@timgreen4137]

Michael Dougfir When I rode it, we were told that the extra engine was for the extra power needed on the steep grades. The engines were also placed at the rear of the train for safety. When we got near the top, the last engine uncoupled and descended the mountain, as it wasn't needed any more.

[@97trainman]

hey, they shot that the day i was born

[@MrDrums76]

where exactly is this? its beautiful!

[@dorijimenez769]

backstory $30003 for a long STANDING BATTLES between school's kids mornings or something

[@bullfrog1954]

What might they be battling over? Was the train a distraction or something?

[@marksmith7374]

Rolling coal!

[@bullfrog1954]

This was one day I'll never forget...a winter blizzard in MAY!! Only in West Virginia...

[@МАРАТСИБИРСКИЙ]

лайк

[@bullfrog1954]

Thank You very much!

[@zacb6909]

i LOVE the chime they had on Shay #2 when this was filmed. is that one a West Coast chime?

[@zacb6909]

i LOVE the chime they had on Shay #2 when this was filmed. is that one a West Coast chime?