Cass Railfan Weekend

Josh, the number one tip is to be prepared for any type of weather that will change constantly! During one of the Cass charter trips I received many comments on my Cabelas Goretex rain suit. Of course you want to be in a position to photograph the right side of a Shay. 

Be on the look out for wildlife while you're there that you might be able to frame into the shot.  The deer along the right of away have long since stopped being afraid of the train so it could make for some interesting photos.

Let me echo what has already been said.  Be prepared for ANY type of weather possible.  This means everything from 35 degrees, a 15mph wind and heavy rain to 70 degrees and sunny.  The weather in Cass itself has no bearing whatsoever as to what it's doing on the mountain.  That 35 degrees thing was the mountain.  Cass, for the entire day was about 60 and partly cloudy.  People were wearing gloves and putting their hands on the fireboxes to keep warm.  The next day was the 70 degrees and sunny.  Bring clothes for all weather conditions.  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, rain, sun, snow, and dress in layers.  Trust me, you will be happy you did.  I've almost frozen to death at Cass more than any other place because what you THINK you need for the day, and what you end up with on the mountain can be total opposites.  It's easy to shed clothes.  Not so easy to put them on when you don't have them.

Next point.  Do not expect to find many "modern" conveniences nearby.  For gas, you will have to drive either to Snowshoe or Marlinton, and neither are cheap.  We always top off on I-64 on the way in.  It's not really cheap there either, but it's cheaper than anything else you will find.  Speaking thereof, coming from central NC, we always got off at White Sulphur Springs and came in on 92/39.  After various attempts, I always thought it was a bit easier drive as opposed to 219.  That said, there is no easy way to get there from anywhere.  It's in the middle of nowhere.  Oh, don't expect any cell phone reception nearby.  The government has some big satellites in Green Bank (north of Cass), and they block out cell reception for the surrounding area.  They also have free tours, which are pretty neat.

Next....be ready for lots of possible fog and LOTS of wildlife.  It's deer country and they are everywhere, including the roads.  If you are staying in Snowshoe, give yourself plenty of time to get there.  Driving in broad daylight is one thing.  Driving in the dark with deer is something else.

As far as runbys are concerned, Joe Gonzalez and the crew will have those fairly well marked off and organized.  There are benefits to being on either the far end of the photo line, or in the curve of the photo line (if applicable) so as to keep people out of the shot.  When you are dealing with that many people, you have to have organization (and control) or things deteriorate rapidly.  Joe's good about that kind of thing.  Rule #1...if you are out of the line and can see someone, they can see you, and will not be too happy about it, then you get Joe upset with you.  Best to not foul anyone's shot!  He's a good guy though--don't mistake this.

Now, as far as other stuff goes, allow yourself some time to explore the town.  There are some nice model railroads there, and the town itself is cool.  Some of the coolest moments are being there on Friday afternoon, or in the early mornings when they are getting stuff ready.  If there is a shop tour, that's pretty cool also.

I'm not exactly sure how they are running Railfan Weekend these days (it's been a while since we did that and always came up for other things), but there is a strong possibility that they will run the consist as one long train leaving Cass.  That means the back open air car is the best seat in the house with a Shay right behind you.  With the number of people, they may run the trains separate up the mountain, but the above-mentioned scenario happens a lot with "smaller" groups.

If you have time, run up to Durbin to see the Climax.  About a 30 minute drive, and the feel between Cass and Durbin are total opposites.  If you want to know what a logging railroad in WV was like, ride that line.  Cass, being a state park for 50 years, is maintained to a very high standard to the point that much of the "logging railroad" feel has been lost.  The Durbin line was washed out several times, and operates on somewhat less of a budget, and some interesting trackwork.  Just being there in town and watching things come to life can be pure magic and a real time warp to the 1950s.  Speaking of magic, there's a little bar/restaurant about 2 doors up (ie heading back towards Cass) from the gift store/ticket agent in Durbin that has some of the best hamburgers I've ever had.  Well worth the time, and as you will have no doubt figured out, there isn't much to eat anywhere near there.

Other than that, be safe and have fun.  Cass is a very cool place.

Kevin

Going all the way to 77 is out of the way.  From WCU, here's what I would do (and have done)....

I-40 to Asheville

I-26 to the north side of Johnson City

I-81 to Roanoke (or really Cloverdale, which is the north side of Roanoke)

US 220 to Clifton Forge (truck route...55mph and a very scenic rd)

I-64 to White Sulphur Springs

92 to 39 to 92 to near Green Bank

turn left at the big sign that says to Cass Scenic Railroad

There is no easy way to do it, but that's the way I went from Cullowhee.

btw, if you don't already have a motel, I would HIGHLY suggest getting one now.  Lodging options are far and few between.

Kevin

good.  Give yourself about 30 minutes (in good weather) to get from Cass to Snowshoe.

Welcome to my backyard!!!

It is very rural....and weather is changeable and varied. We can have days in the 30's in July so May is open season! We had a little snow at Snow Shoe last week.

Gasoline stops are few. As stated Marlinton has 3, Snow Shoe has one and Green Bank, just north of Cass, has one. If you have spare hour or two visit Green Bank and tour the GBT center....worth it.

Coming from NC take I-77 N, I-64 E to Lewisburg. Exit at Lewisburg onto US 219 North. 219 will take you all the way to Snow Shoe and WV 66 will get you from Snow Shoe to Cass.  I'd allow 30-40 for Snow Shoe to Cass as it's a twisty somewhat narrow road.....normal for us....but not some!

I hope you guys have a good weekend. The folks that put this on are pretty good at it!

If anyone has any questions I'd be happy to try and answer. If my layout was further along I'd invite visits....maybe next year!

Do whatever you have to do and put up with whatever you have to ... just make sure you TAKE THIS RIDE.  One of the best "railfan" trips I've taken (and I've take many).

BlimpMan and I were on the train for a day last October at the height of the "color" season.  SPECTACULAR!

Another shot of the Cass Shay Number 6:

Cass RR shops...

I've only ridden the Cass train one time (wasn't as interested in trains when i was younger) but i can speak of a wealth of experience having lived in Huntersville WV for several years.  (Huntersville is just outside of Marlinton)

First, definitely take Kevin's advice.  Do NOT take 219 up from Lewisburg.  I know 219 is a US Route and 92 is just a state route.  Don't be deceived.  Route 92 is the way to go.  It's much straighter, much less up and down and will get you there quicker since you'll just have to backtrack from Marlinton on rt 39 to get on 28 and head north.  (I used to live off 28) Using 220 from Roanoke to Clifton Forge is also the right idea.   Took this route a number of times when i was going to college in Roanoke.

As suggested, Greenbank is an excellent place to go if you can schedule some extra time.  After living there a while, you lose the sense of awe, but believe me, seeing the size of those dishes for the first time is quite amazing.  I can also re-iterate the lack of cell coverage.  When you're in Snowshoe you might get service, or you might not, depending on your cell provider, so plan accordingly.

Being a local I forget how 'treturous'  US 219 is viewed by others!!! I always enjoy overhearing the horror stories tourist tell of their 'trip on 219' once in Marlinton. No matter where I go I have to use it so it's route never crosses my mind.  It's curvy yes....but no where near the 'Dragons Tail' some proclaim. I, in fact, enjoy it a lot.

And coming from NC and going to Snow Shoe first, as asked about, 92 will be much longer.

219 isn't a "bad" road....although 92 is BY FAR the better option if you have to drive it in the snow,  but I always thought I made much better time on 92 as opposed to 219.  The curves are fun, but after an hour of them, they get a bit tiring.  There's a lot of 92 where you can go 55mph.

If we were staying in Snowshoe, I always just drove straight to Cass for whatever there was on Friday night (dinner, shop tour, etc), then headed to Snowshoe to check in the motel and go to sleep.  If you have to go to Snowshoe first for the motel, by all means go 219.  The mountain that 66 traverses between Cass and Snowshoe is best driven as little as humanly possible!  Last time I was there, someone used the brakes the entire way down into Cass, and their brakes were literally smoking as they rolled into Cass.  How that car never caught on fire is beyond me...

Speaking thereof, the Boyer Motel isn't a bad place to stay either.  About the same distance driving as Snowshoe (past Greenbank towards Durbin), but straighter roads.  The little restaurant there is REALLY good also, with a bunch of railroad artifacts.

Have fun.  Cass is a cool place,

Kevin

A friend and I stayed in the Superintendent's home. A wonderful experience all by itself.  He had worked at Cass for several years. We road in the cabs most of the time. I even got to throw switches! I know, no big deal, but at the time during my youth it was a thrill! My friend shoveled coal too and was the engineer on one run. Incredible memories!

Boyer has a decent camping ground too for those that want to stay cheap! But pack as if you are camping at high altitude because before we moved back here during a July vamping trip the lows hit high 30's at night!! You never know here!!!Ditto on the  little diner too. 

I'd also like to give a thumbs up to that Durbin hamburger. Will be partaking in one of those Wednesday. Also can't wait for that WM trip on Thursday. See you there!

Reports from any attendees???  Hadn't seen much.....

t

Wonderful pictures by the way!  If you have photos show them please!  You just can't get enough Cass pictures to add to a memory which was a long time ago, but is still vivid!

Bill Berresford