Cass Scenic 7.3.05, Part 1

4th of July weekend 2005 was originally just going to be a weekend with friends, staying at their parents' cabin deep in the boonies outside of Hot Springs, VA. However, when we realized just how close we were to the Cass Scenic Railroad, we decided not to pass up a perfect opportunity to visit. Hence the footage you see here, noteworthy to me as the last railfan trip I made with my 8mm camera.

We maximized our train time and took the full trip from Cass to Bald Knob and return. Power was provided by Shay 2 and Heisler 6, giving us a chance to observe two different types of geared steam locomotives in action. The sounds created by the duo were absolutely mindblowing - the dead who were not awakened by the dissonant stack talk of a two-cylinder engine and a three-cylinder engine working together surely rose when the pair whistled for the crossings.

Part 1 covers our departure from Cass, past the road's shop and the rusted remains of the sawmill complex that once occupied the area. Shays 5 and 6 rested outside the shop - yes, you read that right, they have two engines numbered 6. After passing the shop the woods took over the scenery the rest of the way to the first switchback. Watch how fast the engines reverse direction after clearing the switch!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Cass
• Scenic
• Railroad
• passenger
• train
• railroad
• excursion
• steam
• engine
• Shay
• Heisler
• geared
• locomotive
• mountain
• West
• Virginia

[4freespeech]

The modern tin sheds on the way out of town, the new covered cars, new

track and neatly cleared ballast and right-of-ways, along with the guy talking

over the loudspeaker gives 21st century Cass, WV a Disneyland feel.

Cass used to be FUNKY, like the old working lumber camp it was back in

the day. Wonder if Cass Scenic Railroad is now a "United Nations World

Heritage Site"? The Darjeeling Himalayan Railroad in India is now, and

India no longer has say over ITS OWN 150-year-old railroad.

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@4freespeech Now that you mention it, I coulda sworn I heard a banjo-pickin' version of 'It's A Small World' later in the trip. Didn't get it on tape though.

[Squawk7600]

This is fantastic!! I especially like the shot around 2:10 in the curve where you can see the old water tower and the two engines really belching out the black smoke (-cough-cough-LoL!!). I'm assuming the Cass Scenic still runs today??

[FastFlyingVirginian]

Yes indeed, very much alive and kicking.

[GHOSTCOP5]

Nice Video!

[FastFlyingVirginian]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[david245611]

NICE!!!

[OhioRails]

Cool

[xxxDeath9572xxx]

Well, well, well! Very nice video taken here!! those shay's sound great! brings back memories of my trip in 01'