The Cass Scenic Railroad

Filmed in 2014, this documentary covers Cass Scenic Railroad's final year as a West Virginia State Park operation. You'll learn about the history of the line, meet some of the railroad's hard-working employees, and ride the train to Bald Knob - West Virginia's second-highest mountain peak.
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[@hawkeyeten2450]

For all who have never been to Cass: Make a trip! You will remember it as long as you live. My father brought me here as a kid in the 2000s, it's probably one of the most beautiful rail lines of the eastern United States (a Pike's Peak or Durango & Silverton of the East). Plus, the displays and museums are nothing short of incredible. I just wish my family had better weather and more time to fully explore it and take it all in.

[@jamesmoore7155]

I concur, I’ve been to cass many times in the past on good weather days they sometimes give more in depth tours of all exhibits.

[@kingwiththeax6880]

I have ridden the Cass railroad 4 times. I especially enjoyed riding behind their Heisler locomotive. I hope to take my younger children there some day soon. I agree that it is as significant as the Durango and Silverton (which I have ridden twice), but more accessible than excursions like the N&W 611 or Pere Marquette 1225.

[@LoveShaysloco]

Oh I love the place shay 4 is my fav

[@petrejack]

Went there in the early 80s! It was great, my mother-in-law wanted to go so we took her! A definite must do if you love steam locos!

[@djtrainman2]

I can’t wait until October I am going to go there for the first time. I have been wanting to go there for a while

[@marinablueGS]

Wow...had no idea that ANY locomotive could climb such a steep grade! Excellent documentary!

[@nathanielcruz6675]

That's what these fascinating locomotives are designed for.

[@djb-n9l]

Wait to you see a rack railway

[@Little_Man152]

The Shay shaft driven locomotive was designed to pull steep grades hauling lumber and coal among other things. Trains are truly fascinating to me.

[@davidfuller581]

Geared steam engines pull rather like diesel-electrics or electrics in that regard, they can start trains they can't pull at speed. Every axle is powered, and the application of power is effectively constant (unlike in a direct drive steam locomotive where power comes in pulses and usually less than all axles are powered), plus the factor of adhesion is similar to that of diesels.

[@jenniferbutcher8393]

Amy, you are my hero! I so badly wanted to be a lady fireman!! So glad to see you doing your thing (I'm a lady blacksmith, so I do understand coal, fire, and steel). Maybe someday.... Love Cass, have ridden many times. Thank you for letting us enjoy this treasure!

[@dennisyoung4631]

Wonder aloud, “does the train go faster when *she’s* running it?” In fiction, women get three extra notches, for a total of *eleven,* when they are driving the trains…

[@Fudui2]

This is one of the best Train Rides in the country. The switch back ride is so action packed. The Engines are incredible and the power they produce can be felt the whole ride. Other train rides are great and have very scenic views. The Cass Railway has all that plus Shay locomotives. Shay locomotives that go up a mountain.

[@roberthilburn51]

The interview with Bud is priceless.

[@robertknight4672]

Went to Cass West Virginia a few times with my late grandfather when I was a teenager. One trip was actually a real fan trip and it was actually my first experience with long exposure night time photography. They had set up Shane number 11 in front of the Depot as well as in front of the water tower. Many photographers were still using film at the time in the early 2000s.

[@glendajones8812]

My Grandfather Walter "Pops" Good was engineer on the train many many years. Had the pleasure of riding the train every summer when we went to visit grandma & grandpa. What a gift.

[@petrejack]

Went there at least twice in the 1980s. My mother in law loved going here so we took her. Later in the 90s my son rented a car and took her once! Definitely worth it!

[@dannotarbartolo8830]

My wife and I went to Cass a few years ago and I can say, I’ve never been so close to a steam locomotive in my life! That and the whistle on Shay #6 is the best whistle I’ve ever heard!

[@RailPreserver2K]

Been to the railroad 3 times and love it

[@appalachianrails]

The line to Durbin is now done and 2023 is the first time excursions are being offered on the full line since 1985. I think it is time for a follow-up video.

[@randywise5241]

That whistle at the beginning brought tears to my eyes. 👍👍👍

[@kuhndj67]

Like many visitor driven attractions the Cass scenic railroad took a beating over the Covid years... so if you find yourself travelling down the Eastern Seaboard think about taking 79 and detouring to Cass WV to spend the night at one of their "company houses". I've done it even when travelling solo and while it's weird to have an entire house to myself... it's not crazy expensive and supports the railroad. I've done it and not even been able to stay to ride the next day (basically just used it as a nice hotel).

[@lornperkins4270]

I. Want that same steam whistle on #5..MAN THAT THING SOUNDS SUPREME...and that engineer hoover knows HOW to make her sing her beautiful song. WHOOOO...OOOOOOOOOOOOWHO..OOOOOOOO......good lord that's music to my ears...who makes that steam whistle

[@JaredHudson7]

Thank you for this video! This is the most awesome steam train video i have seen. I'm a huge steam train fan and especially love the Cass scenic railroad. Now I know the history of the railroad and timber industry up There. I work in the timber industry at a mack truck dealership. This video is by far the best one I've ever seen and I've seen alot of steam train videos. I really like how you did a documentary as well as new and old footage. 5 stars 🌟. Loved the interviews and history and loved the story on the steam skidder. Loved how you talked about God in the video. God is good.

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@JaredHudson7]

Yw god bless.

[@wooowallllright]

I used to watch a documentary on VHS on Cass. I heard the whistle and thought it sounded exactly the same. Makes sense if the engineer has been there 17 years.

[@paulw9516]

Thanks for the drone shot from Bald Knob! None of the other videos I've seen show the view from up there...

[@ethanholstein8580]

All I can say is if you have kids this is a stop you have to make if you live or come to WV just hearing the sound of number 5's whistle brought a tear to my eye I am 30 now but just for a moment it took me back to when I was eight years old I swear i can still smell the coal burning and feal the cinders in my hair it's a truly a experience you will never forget

[@vettebecker1]

This is on my bucket list to visit one day!!

[@jaredbrown1580]

Thank you this was Amazing!!!

[@OscarVaughn]

Them locomotives are amazing ive been there 3 times and each trip is always different and the people running it all are always friendly and informative I highly HIGHLY recommend going to Cass even if railroading isn't your thing.

[@gabriellarivas1737]

I must say that these old antique trains are very beautiful I wish that I was a train conductor or a train engineer driving these antique trains I always love trains when I was a kid so did my father and my grandfather when they were still alive I bet you if they were here right now I bet they would love to go visit a steam train locomotive and a train museum I bet you they will have fun and like being like a kid again I really miss my grandfather he was like 99 years old when he passed away from Alzheimer's and I really miss him so much and I wish that he was here with me right now I really miss him same thing with my father when he passed away 4 years ago on October 2nd of 2018 I wish my dad was still here right now celebrating Thanksgiving with us that just passed and for this coming Christmas and New years and of course I miss my grandmother and my other grandmother on my father's side it was really nice and sweet cuz my grandmother used to make us warm sweaters warm hats and scarves and gloves as well and I miss them right I miss them all the time from gabriella Rivas from Roslyn heights long island and near New York City

[@Sherlock067]

Love this train ride! Everyone of all ages who likes trains has to put this on their bucket list. From the haunting sounds of the whistle to the stunning beauty of West Virginia to that all powerful steam locomotive!

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

I totally agree!

[@donaldfaris4798]

Drayton you better be ready for the new line opening in 2023 from Cass to Durbin I will be looking for you

[@gravelydon7072]

Not a new line. A reopening of the old C&O branch which was washed out by the remains of a Hurricane. Operations at Cass have change from the times that dad and I went there. Back on our first trip, the old shop at Cass was still smoking from the shop fire. Shay #6 from WM wasn't even there yet. Operations up the mountains were Whitaker run first, Bald Knob run second, second run to Whitaker third. On the trip back down from Whitaker, run 1 met run 2 on the switchbacks. If you rode run 1 to Whitaker, you could walk part way back down the switchback and film the Bald Knob run on the way up. Or if you had bought tickets to Bald Knob, change trains at Whitaker and ride on up to Bald Knob. On the return of the Bald Knob run to Whitaker, the third run would be waiting there. Third run would head down about 15 minutes before the second one from Bald Knob. WM #6 when it arrived was found to be too hard on the old track up the mountain. So it ended up being used on a run from Cass to Durbin. Heisler #6 often pulled the Whitaker run and was also used on the runs to Durbin as it could run at higher speeds safely. Due to the washed out Cass to Durbin track isolating Cass, they relaid the track to Spruce and Bald Knob with ballast even. Something not seen on the hills before that. That now allows WM #6 to safely operate to Bald Knob.

[@brantleyhester6641]

My aunt and uncle go there every year. I want to go ride this RR so bad

[@markfortin421]

Y'all just made my day!!! 😇 Thank You !!

[@arthurschipper8906]

Thanks for dropping this on my birthday 🎂. Cass is definitely on the bucket list.

[@stuarthart3370]

I enjoyed that so much. Love the Shay design.

[@kimscheie]

What a touch on whistle sir 👏...tears flow . Thank you for all the love ...my last name ..shay way too Kool

[@user-TheBestRailfan]

Wow...Those shay engines are just epic...

[@acersalman8258]

You made things wonderful good useful beautiful make human life happy you science education original I never seen train special like this in designed God bless you and protect you ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rogerlollar4325]

🎶 Country Roads Take me home to the place I belong West Virginia Mountain Mama Take Me Home Country Roads 🎶

[@paulhare662]

Anyone with an interest in bicycle camping who is planning a visit to Cass should check out the Greenbrier River Trail. Its a rail trail following the river downstream from Cass for 80 miles or so. It rivals the railroad in scenic beauty.

[@OfficialSEIC2K6]

We get a look at the Cass Scenic Railroad of West Virginia. Cass Scenic Railroad is fully steam powered. It's powered by shays and climaxes and heislers and many others. a heritage railroad and state park combined. If you haven't visited, you really should if you're a train fan or tourist. I guarantee you, it's gonna be a super awesome scenic trip through the West Virginia mountains. The Cass Scenic Railroad has much to offer. You can see what the country was like in the early 20th century when steam was king. They haul tourists and freight T the same time using their shays and climaxes and heislers. The trains offer many views of the country's landscape. Cass Scenic Railroad state park is a site managed by West Virginia. You can see what its like riding the Cass Scenic Railroad. Cass Scenic Railroad first started as a lumber railroad.

[@suhailahmed1426]

I have a deep interest in steam locomotive and it's wonderful incredible engineering specially moving arms but the shay locomotive is extraordinary.

[@CSXRailfanBrony-ChessieDayligh]

I love the Cass Scenic Railroad since I was a kid while watching Green Frog's Cass & Mower Logging Trains. Shay numbers 2, 4 and 6 were my favorites from the roster.

[@swagmanexplores7472]

This is an awesome video ! Thank you so much for sharing it. Shays were used not far from where I live in the Blue Mountains of Australia on the Wolgan Valley Railway, sadly long since scrapped, there were once 4 Class C shays used there, as well as 2 at the Burraga Copper Mine. All just a distant memory now - except in my HO scale model railway where I run several Shays 👍

[@michaelsiehl6804]

I've been there more than 20 year's ago

[@Vector_QF8]

That whistle is a’ singing! Amazing video. I will visit one of these days!

[@MrJimmyd7777]

Grandfather John Victor worked on this railroad around the 1920’s as an engineer and night watchman. Someday I’ll get to visit.

[@danbedford5419]

Great video

[@taslimchoudhary1253]

Awesome Video DIB 🍂🎊🇮🇳🎊🍂

[@frederickmoller]

There is a 3 truck Shay locomotive on static display in Iroquois Falls Ontario Canada that far used at the Abitibi Paper Company's bush operations in 'from 1947 to 1956.

[@austinado16]

There's a Shay restored and running on HWY41, just north of Oakhurst, CA, and a few minutes drive before the South Entrance to Yosemite Nat'l Park.

[@ChainsawNW1218]

ChainsawN&W1218, Shay logging locomotives, like the whistles!👍🚂🛤

[@appalachianrails]

Weird that just about every employee in this video has either retired or left before DGVR took over operations. Gary and his brother Rex unfortunately passed away in the last few years. Danny’s comments are “interesting” considering that under the state park management, they were running Cass into the ground. Since DGVR took over, things have become much better maintenance-wise and even better workplace morale overall.

[@jamesswetland5019]

This type engine seems like it’s a real work horse but as far as speed it doesn’t seem like it could go very fast the way the engine works. It is a very beautiful train & the mountains are just unreal. Now I no I need to pay them a visit & take a ride.

[@cayoharksen]

*** gostei mulher auxiliar ou maquinista parabéns, 👍👍👍🤩👏👏💪💪***

[@SoldiersDad]

I first road this train in the summer of 1967.

[@ravenzbot]

it's good they used standard gauge. it's more practical because it's easier to find rolling stock and locos, it's more stable, and as a general rule there's no point in running narrow where standard will work.

[@ColdSteelRails]

Is this a “newer” Re-upload?

[@That_Thicc_Cat]

I’m pretty sure it is lol

[@michaelpfister1283]

Thanks for the great video! I thought it was interesting that the locomotive shoved the train up the mountain then led it down. Is there a reason for this? I imagine traction is better pushing uphill, but that's based on my own experience. Thank you for sharing. ON a personal note: I really do not like the new narrator, though. I miss hearing a real voice. I was thrilled to hear you in the interview, Drayton! Please resume doing the narration! Its so much more alive!

[@kphalloran2564]

There are several switchbacks along the route, so it alternates from shoving to pulling....

[@appalachianrails]

Back in the revenue logging days, the locomotive would push empties up the mountain so that the engineer and fireman could focus on running the locomotive while the conductor and brakeman watched the track. On the way down, the focus of the conductor and brakeman was to control the speed of the train via brakes while it was the engineer and fireman’s turn to watch the tracks.

[@drmsig.r1000]

I went there when I was 10 or 11 I believe it's been so long

[@monsterzero2614]

I wish the train car I use to get around on tracks could have those side parts

[@Scaletrains]

Nice video!

[@Hadassah-KaquoliMReno]

I love steam trains!

[@madeinyorkshire52]

I just LOVE these Shay locomotives - can anyone please tell me when they emit such a vast amount of chimney smoke? I’m sure much more smoke than say large coal-fired British standard gauge express passenger classic steam locos like Flying Scotsman for example.

[@mustafakemalyardmoglu9897]

Ben demiryolcu çocuğuyum,dikkatimi çeken, lokomotifin katarın arkasında yer alıp iterek yol alması sonucu dumanın ve içindeki kömür tozlarının yolcuların yüzüne gelmeyip gözlerine kaçmadığı keyifli bir seyir yapmalarına izin vermesi.Saygılar.

[@RajokhanLaghari]

❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@markjolyn94]

I believe Cass Shay #5 used to be Feather River Railroad #3

[@kingbass8810]

Number 5 is a cass original and the oldest operating locomotive in the usa

[@roberthilburn51]

Not the #5. It has spent it's whole life at Cass

[@appalachianrails]

You’re thinking of Shay 11

[@hawkeyeten2450]

That would be Shay 11. Shay 5 is actually original to the line, and has plodded up this mountain for over 110 years!

[@CassScenicRailroad-mi3pd]

Whistle from shay 5 is from climax 9😀

[@Grandpa82547]

Will-am-it

[@shortbird774]

I am German. I can't get to Cass easily. But tomorrow is Christmas eve and there will be a Shay in H0 under our tree.

[@xymaryai8283]

12 percent grade?! what's the gear ratio on these locos?

[@phillipgarrow2297]

We have one of the original Shay locomotives in our city park in CadillacMichigan Shay invented the Shay locomotive in CadillacMichigan

[@gwrstudios5181]

I know this will sound cringe but I would love to see a non shay steam loco run on the line I’m thinking like 4501 or like 611 since the two could most likely haul the heaviest trains the railroad has

[@appalachianrails]

Some of the curves on that line are so tight, they’d derail.

[@TravelingRailfan501]

Nice documentary, hard thing is, I don’t ride them, I film them, which is fine with me, train rides faded out of my interest near 2019 before my channel started

[@kleetus92]

Was this released a few years ago?

[@mikecross4350]

How long are the excursions?

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

5hrs

[@appalachianrails]

6 hours for the newly restored line to Durbin.

[@brianrigsby7900]

What is 12% in degrees?

[@Grandpa82547]

24 inch logs?

[@Truex007]

12% ?! That's absurd!

[@RobertJackson-vc9rk]

The Cass Scenic Railroad is not a secret, if it was then people wouldn't know about it

[@reconwarroirthetrue1685]

No such thing ad haven and God no such thing otherwise I like the video

[@cameronfane1]

I say steam please

[@briceshaw6257]

Back in the 70’s they had open cars. Had to pull coal out of your hair after riding. It was great in the open cars!

[@leukota]

Delay in Block more like Delay and Block

[@comradian]

captured by a private corporation, what a shame.

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

Not really. That private corporation has re-opened a long-abandoned stretch of track and has restored many new locomotives since taking over. The actually done a lot of good.

[@killerbees177]

When did DIB become religious

[@kingwiththeax6880]

You have not been paying attention.

[@killerbees177]

@@kingwiththeax6880 hail satan