Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

🚂 West Virginia’s Living Railroad Museum — Authentic Shay steam locomotives, 4,842-foot Bald Knob summit, 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail, and a preserved 1900s logging town

In 1901, the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company carved a railroad into the steep flanks of Back Allegheny Mountain, built a company town at the bottom, and started hauling spruce and hemlock down to one of the largest sawmills in the world. The town was called Cass, and for four decades the sound of Shay locomotives groaning up 11-percent grades echoed through these mountains. By the 1960s, the timber was gone, and Cass should have become another Appalachian ghost town. Instead, a group of railroad preservationists convinced the state to save it — and today Cass Scenic Railroad State Park operates the world’s largest collection of working Shay locomotives on the original logging grades, hauling tourists to a summit that would have made the original “wood hicks” shake their heads in disbelief.

What makes Cass unique among railroad heritage sites is authenticity. These are not replicas running on tourist-built track. The locomotives, the rails, the grades, the town — everything is original or faithfully restored from the logging era. The depot sits at 2,438 feet elevation. The flagship Bald Knob excursion climbs 2,400 vertical feet over 11 miles to the third-highest point in West Virginia (4,842 feet), where the views stretch across the Allegheny highlands in every direction. And when you come back down, the entire town of Cass — company store, houses, machine shop — is waiting to be explored, looking much as it did when the last log came down the mountain.

10 Best Things to Do at Cass Scenic Railroad

1. Ride the Bald Knob Excursion

The park’s flagship experience is a 22-mile round-trip journey from Cass Depot (2,438 ft) to Bald Knob (4,842 ft) — the third-highest point in West Virginia. The trip takes approximately 4.5 hours and includes a lunch stop at the summit. Shay and other geared locomotives haul the train up grades as steep as 11 percent, switchbacking through forest zones that shift from hardwood at the bottom to Canadian-zone spruce at the top. The summit panorama is stunning in any season, but in October the combination of fall color below and dusted spruce peaks above is extraordinary. A sack lunch is included with the ticket price.

2. Visit Whittaker Station Logging Camp

This shorter 2-hour round-trip excursion climbs to a restored logging camp where interpreters demonstrate what daily life looked like for the men who harvested these mountains. The camp features a reconstructed bunkhouse, kitchen, and equipment displays. It is the better option for families with young children who may not handle the full 4.5-hour Bald Knob trip, and gives a visceral sense of the brutal physical labor that defined Appalachian logging.

3. Ride the Greenbrier Express

A newer excursion that departs from Cass Depot and follows the Greenbrier River valley toward the village of Durbin. The trip offers a different perspective — riverside scenery instead of mountain climbing — and often includes a meal. This excursion is operated in partnership with the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad and provides a gentler, more scenic alternative to the summit trips.

4. Walk the Historic Town of Cass

The town of Cass is the park. Every building you see — the company store, the workers’ houses, the church, the machine shop — dates from the early 1900s logging era or has been faithfully restored to that period. The entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1974). Walk the main street, peek into the locomotive shop where mechanics maintain the steam engines, and visit the Cass Historical Museum for photographs, artifacts, and stories from the logging boom. The Last Run Restaurant in the company store serves meals, and the gift shop stocks railroad memorabilia and local goods.

5. Tour the Locomotive Shop

Cass maintains the world’s largest collection of operating geared steam locomotives — primarily Shay engines, plus a Heisler and a Climax. The locomotive shop is where these machines are maintained and restored, and visitors can observe the work in progress. Shay No. 5, the oldest operational Shay at the park, has been designated the official state steam locomotive of West Virginia. Watching skilled machinists work on a 120-year-old steam engine using techniques that have barely changed since the original is a rare window into industrial craftsmanship.

6. Bike or Hike the Greenbrier River Trail

The 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail — one of the premier rail-trails in the eastern United States — can be accessed directly from the park. The trail follows the former C&O Railway grade downhill along the Greenbrier River, crossing 37 bridges and passing through two tunnels. The gentle grade (rarely exceeding 1%) makes it suitable for all fitness levels. Mountain bikes and e-bikes are available for rent at the Company Store. The trail extends south to Caldwell, passing through small communities, riverside swimming holes, and some of the most pristine scenery in the Allegheny Mountains.

7. Fish the Greenbrier River

The Greenbrier River flows near the park and provides excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass, and trout in the upper reaches. The water is clean enough to see the bottom in most sections, and access points along the Greenbrier River Trail make it easy to find uncrowded stretches. A West Virginia fishing license is required. Kayak rentals are seasonally available at the park (water level dependent), allowing you to float and fish the river from a different perspective.

8. Stay Overnight in an 1900s Company House

Twenty restored company houses — originally built for mill workers and their families — now serve as overnight accommodations. Sleeping anywhere from 2 to 14 guests, these two-story houses combine period architecture with modern amenities (full kitchens, bathrooms, heating). Three houses are wheelchair accessible. Waking up in a house that a logger and his family occupied 120 years ago, walking to the depot for a morning train whistle, and watching mist rise off the valley is an experience no hotel chain can match. Houses are available year-round and can be rented by the night.

9. Attend a Seasonal Special Event

The park hosts themed events throughout the operating season: Railfan Weekend for serious train enthusiasts, Starlight Dinner Excursions for couples, Halloween Ghost Trains for families, and the Santa Express during the holiday season. The fall foliage excursions (mid-October) are the most popular events of the year and sell out weeks in advance. These special runs often include unique locomotives, themed dining, or after-hours access to the rail yard.

10. Cross-Country Ski or Snowshoe in Winter

When the trains stop running for the season (usually after October), the park and surrounding trails transform into a quiet winter landscape. The Greenbrier River Trail is open year-round for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing when conditions permit. The isolation and silence of the valley in winter — combined with the snow-covered historic town — create a completely different experience from the summer and fall bustle.

Train Excursion Details

*Prices are approximate. Senior (65+), Military/Veteran, and Child (4–11) discounts available. Infants 3 and under ride free (ticket required). Taxes/fees extra. Book via Mountain Rail WV. Fall rates may apply Sep–Oct.

The Shay Locomotive: Why It Matters

Most people have seen a steam locomotive — but few have seen a Shay. Invented by Ephraim Shay in 1877, these geared engines were purpose-built for the impossible terrain that conventional locomotives could not handle. Instead of powering the wheels through connecting rods (like a traditional steam engine), the Shay uses vertical cylinders on the right side of the boiler, connected to a crankshaft that drives gears on every axle. The result: enormous torque at very low speeds, allowing the locomotive to climb grades that would stall any rod-driven engine. At Cass, you experience exactly what this means — the train creeps up 11-percent grades, leaning into switchbacks, with the Shay barking exhaust and the smell of coal smoke drifting through the open cars.

Cass holds the world’s largest collection of operating geared locomotives. Shay No. 5 — built in 1905 — is the park’s oldest operational engine and serves as West Virginia’s official state steam locomotive. Seeing these machines work is not a museum display; it is living industrial archaeology.

Where to Stay

There are 20 company houses total, each restored with modern plumbing and full kitchens while retaining their early-1900s character. No campground exists within the park — the nearest camping options are at nearby state parks or private campgrounds in the Snowshoe area. Bring your own food for cooking, or eat at the Last Run Restaurant during operating hours and pick up provisions at the Company Store.

Best Time to Visit Cass

Fall foliage season (mid-September through mid-October) is by far the most popular time — Bald Knob excursions during peak color sell out weeks in advance. Book early. Summer offers the broadest range of excursions and activities, plus the warmest weather for trail riding and river fishing. The trains typically do not run from November through April, but company houses are available year-round for winter retreats, and the Greenbrier River Trail transforms into a cross-country ski route when conditions allow.

Know Before You Go

Getting There

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is located at 242 Main Street, Cass, WV 24927, in Pocahontas County. From Elkins, take US-219 South approximately 40 miles. From Lewisburg, take US-219 North approximately 65 miles. The last stretch on WV Route 28/66 is through mountain roads with limited cell service — download directions before you lose signal. The nearest airport is Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) in Lewisburg, about 90 minutes south.

Tickets and Reservations

Train tickets are sold through Mountain Rail West Virginia, not through the state park directly. Advance booking is essential for Bald Knob excursions during fall foliage and for all special event trains. Company house reservations are handled through the WV State Parks system at wvstateparks.com or by calling (304) 456-4300.

What to Wear

The train ride to Bald Knob gains nearly 2,400 feet of elevation. Temperatures at the summit can be 15–20°F cooler than at the depot. Dress in layers, even in summer. In fall, bring a warm jacket, hat, and gloves for the summit. The open-air cars offer the best views and photos but provide no protection from wind and weather.

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Nearby Attractions

The Greenbrier River Trail extends 78 miles south from Cass, offering multi-day biking and hiking adventures with trail-accessible communities along the way. Snowshoe Mountain Resort is approximately 25 minutes away and provides skiing, mountain biking, and year-round resort activities. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank — home to the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope — is about 20 minutes east and offers fascinating tours in one of the quietest electromagnetic zones on Earth. Blackwater Falls State Park and Canaan Valley Resort are about 60–75 minutes north, making a multi-park road trip through the Allegheny Highlands a natural itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an entrance fee for Cass Scenic Railroad State Park?

No — the park itself has no entrance fee. You can walk the town, visit the museum, and explore the historic buildings for free. Fees apply only for train excursions, lodging, and rentals (bikes, kayaks).

How do I buy train tickets?

All train tickets are sold through Mountain Rail West Virginia, not through the state park. Book online or call 1-304-636-9477. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for fall foliage and special event trains.

Can I see the trains without buying a ticket?

Yes. The depot, locomotive shop, and town are open to visitors regardless of whether they ride the train. You can watch locomotives being fired up, see the trains depart and return, and explore the historic town at no cost.

Are the trains wheelchair accessible?

One car on each excursion is generally wheelchair accessible, but you should confirm accessibility needs directly with the reservation office when booking. Three of the company houses are also wheelchair accessible.

Is camping available at the park?

No — Cass does not have a campground. Lodging is in the restored company houses (20 houses, 2–14 guests each, year-round). The nearest camping is at nearby state parks or private campgrounds in the Snowshoe/Pocahontas County area.

What is the best time for fall foliage?

Peak color at summit elevation (4,842 ft) typically occurs in late September to early October. Lower elevations around the town peak in mid-to-late October. The Bald Knob excursion during peak foliage is the single most popular event of the year — book 4–6 weeks in advance.

Are dogs allowed on the trains?

Pets are generally not permitted on the train excursions. Service animals are accommodated with advance notice. Leashed pets are welcome in the town and on trails. Check current pet policies when booking.

How long should I spend at Cass?

A day trip works for a single train excursion plus town exploration. For the full experience — Bald Knob excursion, town tour, locomotive shop, Greenbrier River Trail biking — plan at least two nights in a company house. Three nights allows you to add a second excursion (Whittaker Station or Greenbrier Express) and a full day on the river trail.

Explore More West Virginia State Parks

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in West Virginia. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in West Virginia guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.

Written by

State Parks Team

Editorial Team

The State Parks Team is a group of outdoor enthusiasts, researchers, and travel writers dedicated to showcasing America's state parks. Drawing on collective experience visiting parks in all 50 states, the team creates detailed guides, curated park lists, and practical tips to help visitors make the most of their state park adventures. Our mission: making America's state parks accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

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