Cass Bald Knob train ride continues to capture thousands of visitors

CASS, W.Va. (WBOY) — At more than 4,800 feet, Bald Knob stands as one of the highest peaks in West Virginia, where on a clear day you can see the Virginia state line, as well as the Green Bank observatory, and with the Cass Scenic Railroad, you can get there in comfort and style.

The Cass Bald Knob trip from the Cass Scenic Railroad is the most popular train ride available to the thousands of visitors coming from all over the country and world to ride its steam engines.

“It often sells out weeks in advance. Some of our fall dates are already sold out,” Cass Scenic Railroad Marketing Manager Walter Scriptunas said. He encouraged anyone who wishes to ride to book ahead of time to ensure a seat.

The train ride itself is a 22-mile roundtrip and takes about 4 and a half hours. During the ride, you’re treated to views, able to see how the train can go up five percent and at times nine percent grades, and get to listen to fun history lessons as you go. Lunch is also provided with your ticket.

On the way back down, the train makes a stop at the Whittaker station, where you can explore the area and also get a snack. The Whittaker station isn’t just reserved for this stop but also has its own train that will head up to it in a two-hour roundtrip ride. Cass officials said that the Whittaker train is very child-friendly due to the shorter ride.

It takes at least four tons of coal just for the train to go up the hill as they’re going up, with the train’s fireman shoveling five to six shovels every 45 seconds. On the way down, gravity takes over with the team across the train making sure they do their part on the brakes.

“You can see these locomotives working as they were intended to. Up these steep grades. A lot of railroads you’re just on a flat little piece of land but these engines are working harder than they did in service pushing these massive loads up the hill,” said Scriptunas.

Passengers like Lucas Reichard said that the coolest part of the trip for him was being able to see trains and their crews work like how they did when they were in service.

As for other passengers like Jerry St. Clair, going on this train ride is a longstanding 50-year tradition even though he lives five hours away.

“I just like trains and it’s just a nice place to come…It’s been a lot of fun through the years,” said St. Clair.

On the way up and down the mountain, passengers are treated to breathtaking views where when you look back you can see not only the mountains, but also the train curving and chugging along.

To learn more about the various train rides offered by the Cass Scenic Railroad, you can visit its website here .

12 News will continue to bring you more on the team’s trip to Cass in the coming weeks.

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