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Uncover fall along these scenic tracks

Justin Ferrell

Nestled in the mountains of West Virginia, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers excursions that transport you back in time and let you relive an era when steam-driven locomotives were an essential part of everyday life. Trips to Cass are filled with rich histories of the past, unparalleled views of a vast wilderness area, and close-up encounters with the sights and sounds of original steam-driven locomotives. The town of Cass remains relatively unchanged. The restored company houses add to the charm and atmosphere of the town. From the company store and museum to the train depot, you'll find an abundance of things to do prior to your departure on the historic Cass Railroad. The Cass Scenic Railroad is the same line built in 1901 to haul lumber to the mill in Cass. The locomotives are the same Shay locomotives used in Cass, and in the rain forests of British Columbia for more than a half-century. The passenger cars are old logging flat-cars refurbished and made into passenger cars. Once you board the train, the real excitement begins! The great pistons of the carefully restored Shay locomotive will start pulsing, driven by hundreds of pounds of steam pressure. The shaft begins turning, the wheels find traction, and the locomotive begins to move. With thick, black smoke belching from its stack, the train pulls away from the station, passing the old water tower from which the locomotive tanks are filled. As the train rounds the curve up Leatherbark Creek, you'll pass the Cass Shop, where the locomotives are serviced and repaired, and a graveyard of antiquated, but fascinating equipment on sidetracks. As the pressure builds, the locomotive is driven at full steam, and the laborious journey up the mountain toward the two switchbacks begin. The loud huff of the stack, the clanking of gears and pistons, the furious scream of the whistle at the crossings, and the ever present clackety-clack of the rails will indeed make you feel as if you have been transported back in time. The train soon passes through the first switchback, reverses up a steep grade, and ascends to the second switchback where the process is repeated, and then finally into open fields and Whittaker Station. The switchback process allows the train to gain quick altitude, and in this instance, the train is traversing a grade of up to 11 percent, or 11 feet in altitude for each 100 feet of track. A 2 percent grade on conventional railroads is considered steep! Dress warmly for high elevations! Except for cabooses, our cars are unheated.

All aboard! As fall approaches, the West Virginia hillsides come alive with color, making it a perfect time to hop on a train and experience real beauty.

The Mountain State’s railroads take you into remote regions that remain untouched by civilization, and offer views that seem other-worldly.

Here are 5 of the best fall rail tours:

1. New River Train Excursion

The New River Train Excursion explores some of the best fall foliage in southern West Virginia. Starting at the former Chesapeake & Ohio mainline in Huntington, you’ll travel past West Virginia landmarks like the State Capitol building, Kanawha Falls, the Hawks Nest dam and bridge, the New River Gorge Bridge, and Sandstone Falls. Sights along the New River are breathtaking, with the autumn backdrop in mid- to late-October.

The final stop before heading back to Huntington is in Hinton, where you can grab a bite to eat and explore rail history and handcrafted goods at the Hinton Railroad Days festival.

2. Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

Departing from Romney, WV, the Potomac Eagle fall foliage trips whisk you away on a 3-hour trip through picturesque countryside. On this narrated excursion, you’ll learn about historic farms, forests and scenery as you pass through the area.

The ride also takes you through “The Trough,” a steep-sided valley where South Branch of the Potomac River flows. The area is extremely remote, only accessible by train or boat. Don’t be surprised to see a bald eagle soaring above the train in this stretch of your journey.

3. Elkins excursions

The New Tygart Flyer takes you from Elkins to the High Falls of Cheat through hardwood forests, mountain streams, and meadows of wildflowers. Also departing from Elkins: the Cheat Mountain Salamander, a 1920s vintage locomotive, which takes passengers on a great wilderness journey.

4. Wild Heart of West Virginia

New this year, the “Wild Heart of West Virginia” package crafts monthly event packages with multi-day trips and activity-filled stops on the Cass Scenic Railroad and Cheat Mountain Salamander.

5. Cass Scenic Railroad

Go back in time as you ride the same Shay locomotives used to haul lumber to the historic town of Cass in the early 1900s. A trip to Whittaker Station will bring you to an authentic recreated logging camp. The ride to Bald Knob, one of the Cass Scenic Railroad’s most popular excursions, involves a climb of more than 4,800 feet— the highest railroad peak east of the Mississippi! At the mountain’s peak, you’ll witness breathtaking mountain vistas with brilliant fall colors.

Whether you want to relax and enjoy the West Virginia’s vibrant fall foliage or want to learn more about West Virginia railroad heritage, each excursion has something unique to offer.

Which of these scenic tracks have you explored?

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