Cass Scenic 7.3.05, Part 3

Part 3 of my ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad on July 3, 2005.

After traversing the switchback we continued to wind our way to Bald Knob, past dense forest and another sweeping view of the countryside. An interesting fact that the guide on the PA pointed out - the valleys in the area are favored by the fighter pilots based in Maryland for low-altitude practice runs, and it is not uncommon to see F-16s and the like streaking through the valleys BELOW the trains! Sadly we were not treated to such a view, but the scenery was still great. Another interesting fact pointed out to us - near the peak of Bald Knob, the climate is very similar to parts of Canada and hosts some types of vegetation that are normally not seen outside of those areas.

After we reached Bald Knob (altitude 4700' according to the trackside sign) Heisler 6 dropped off and reversed to a wye down the tracks to turn around and return to Cass after we began our return trip. We got an even better look at Shay 2 than at our first stop as the engine crew oiled around. One more task before it was time to leave - our train pushed forward a little more to pick up a caboose. The caboose is outfitted like a small cabin with all the amenities, and can be rented out for a stay in the wilderness at Bald Knob. The people who had been staying there were now returning to Cass on the back of our train.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

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

[iusetano]

EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!!! Thanks for sharing.

[FastFlyingVirginian]

Thanks!

[xxxDeath9572xxx]

Those Shay's whistles just sound amazing! Do they not? Im guessing you had a BLAST riding the Cass Scenic RailRoad, like i did myelf. Its one railroad i'd love to do again.. Well done video once more

[FastFlyingVirginian]

Yep, the whistles were very cool. One of these days I'd like to get up there for one of the Railfan Weekends and get some good run-by footage.

[xxxDeath9572xxx]

Thats what makes it even more special! I've always LOVED those whistles... They sound just fantastic

[xxxDeath9572xxx]

Same here, I can give you the dates for this years. Nothing gets better than whistles like that..

[acelaboy123]

wow thats alot of smoke!!

[Squawk7600]

I was definitely thinking the very same as Ian up above-- BIG sounding ole whistles for such relatively little engines!! Fantastic!!

[Squawk7600]

I especially like the scenery in this part. AND, the wheels and gears turning and whirling in the engine shots on the curve right there at the beginning!! ...AND the closeup of the engine wheels etc you got after off the train. I loved this series... EXCELLENT, and thank you!!

[freckldnred]

excellent, very nice job.