CASS, W.Va. — The West Virginia Central Railroad is preparing for the first full season of operation of the Cass Scenic Railroad.
Last year the Department of Commerce transferred the operation of the historic mountain rail line from the State Parks to the state Rail Authority. They have now added it to an agreement with the private vendor and the first of the new trips will soon be leaving the station.
John Smith, general Manager of the operation, said adding the Cass Railroad to their Cheat Mountain Salamander and the Tygart Flyer operations is a perfect tie in, literally because they are tied in.
“We’re building on what they’ve already done in the past,” Smith said Tuesday. “We’re adding the connectivity that West Virginia Central has with Cass to have all sorts of interesting venues.”
The standard runs to Whittaker Station and Bald Knob will still be offered, but there will also be options for a transfer and overnight stay.
“Start at Cass, switch trains at Spruce, end up in Elkins and take in the theater or a meal or other entertainment venues and then ride back the next day,” Smith said. “Or you can do the opposite and start at Elkins, make the switch up top, and stay overnight at the old town of Cass.”
Smith said they have also enhanced the trip in that every ticket guarantees a seat on the train, no longer will anyone be standing on the ride up the mountain. A ticket price will also include a box lunch, but riders are still encouraged to bring along their own picnic as they have done for many years. Each train will also feature a tour guide to share the history of the logging industry in the area and of the locomotives themselves.
“It’s opened up a portion of that really beautiful territory,” Smith said.
The Cass season opens in May, but the other trains start operating in April. Smith hopes to add April runs aboard the Cass trains for next year.
Smith hopes the new additions and enhancements will make the Cass Scenic Railroad attractive to new riders, but also hopes riders who’ve taken the Cass trips in the past will be intrigued with the new options to see more territory and spend more time traveling over the mountains on the historic rails.