CASS, W.Va. — Plans by the state to relinquish the operation of Cass Railroad to the state Rail Authority promises to increase opportunities for tourism and to enhance riders on the historic line in the West Virginia mountains.
The Rail Authority will add Cass to the Durbin-Greenbrier Valley Railroad in Durbin and the West Virginia Central Railroad which runs out of Elkins. Plans call for all three to be connected.
“Originally they were connected between Durbin and Cass, but the flood of ’85 took them out,” said Rail Authority Executive Director Cindy Butler. “The West Virginia Central runs from Elkins to Bergoo and to the old town of Spruce. There shouldn’t be any changes, just additions.”
Butler said the private operator which runs the two existing lines will also take over operations of Cass. Railroad visitors will still be able to ride the train to Whittaker Station and Bald Knob the way they do now. However, when all three lines are connected there will be a chance to ride all three of the trains in package deals.
“We’ll promote more overnight stays which will be good for tourism,” said Butler. “You can go from Cass to Elkins and stay overnight or you can get on at Elkins go to Cass and stay overnight and enjoy the history of the town there.”
The current set-up at Cass loses about $1 million a year.
“Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is a wonderful state treasure. Finding a way to preserve it for future generations has been a priority for both the Division of Natural Resources and the Department of Commerce,” state Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette Burdette said in a news release detailing the changes. “We believe this new partnership will allow us to preserve it and possibly even expand the experience for our guests, something we weren’t sure we could guarantee a few months ago. We are excited about the possibilities this arrangement will create.”
State Parks have about 40 of the old homes in Cass restored and available for rental. The transfer of the operation to the Rail Authority is expected to free up staff at Cass to concentrate more on the other park programs to enhance the experience for guests in the old town.
Butler said the final paperwork should be done by the end of the year and the new operator will take over next spring.
The current season at Cass closes this week.