Have you ever thought about what Life might have been like for West Virginians in the early 1900s? During a time when lumbering provided a means of income and plumes of smoke from coal-powered steam engines meant the work was being done. A time when "The Company" built and owned the town and everything in it. If you've ever been curious about this point in Appalachian history that helped build and shape West Virginia, look no further than Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. A trip to this state park will not fall short when it comes to showcasing West Virginia's rich history, breathtaking scenery, and a look into what life was like living in a West Virginia lumber town. 

Founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Paper and Pulp Company, the town of Cass was established by the company when timber began being harvested from the nearby forest as a way to house the loggers. The rights to logging and the company town traded hands a few times before it eventually closed operations in 1960. By 1963 the West Virginia State Parks System purchased both the railway and the Company Town. Today, you can go and experience Cass in a similar way that the loggers would have. You can stay in the company houses, shop at the company store, and ride on the beautiful Cass Scenic Railroad. 

The town of Cass included all the basic necessities a town could need in the early 1900s. There was a company store, the train depot, some small local businesses, and about 40 nearly identical houses all in perfect rows. Today it still looks much like it did in 1960, even down to the company store which now holds souvenirs and penny candy. If you read my previous blog on 5 of the most unique places to stay in West Virginia, you might be familiar with the Cass Company houses. Currently, 23 of the original 40 Company houses are available for visitors to rent and although their exteriors have been preserved, the interior has been updated to reflect modern life in West Virginia with Wi-Fi and central air. There are various houses you can rent that can accommodate anywhere from 1-14 people, and two have been modified to be wheelchair accessible. The houses can be rented from just one night up to two weeks! 

Perhaps the most essential part of life back when The Company still owned the town was the Steam Driven Locomotives! Cass Scenic Railroad holds a very unique claim to fame when it comes to train enthusiasts. Cass is home to one of the largest fully functioning fleets of Shay Locomotive Engines. Out of 2761, Shay locomotives built in the 1800's Cass has 5 which are all still in use. This is so rare because the engines typically need to be completely rebuilt every 34 years, but the machine shop at Cass is composed of a brilliant team with all the needed skills to keep these historic engines running. The Shay #5 which is still in use today has been running for 115 years, which makes it the oldest operable Shay in existence (MountainRailwv.com)!  You can see this for yourself by hopping aboard and going for a ride on the Wild, Wonderful, and Historic Cass Scenic Railroad. 

Currently, the Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad manages the railroad and all the trains at Cass. They offer a couple of different trips that depart from the Cass Depot, one to Whittaker and the other up Bald Knob and both are equally as impressive. The Whittaker Trip is a 2-hour train ride that takes you to the authentic logging camp of Whitter. This camp has been recreated by volunteers of the Mountain State Railroad and Logging Historical Association, passengers of this train trip will get 30 minutes to enjoy the town before making their way back to Cass. The second trip takes you up Bald Knob, the third highest point in West Virginia, and takes approximately 4.5 hours. The trip up Bald Knob includes a lunch of cold sandwiches, chips, and a cookie all while overlooking the surrounding mountains and valleys. Make sure to take note of how the landscape changes as you make the assent up the mountain, the plant life and animals towards the top of the mountain are more typical of things you might find in the far northern regions of Canada than in West Virginia. The Bald Knob trip is also the highest elevation gain of any non-COG railroad east of the Rocky Mountains, making this trip a must when you're in the Mountain State. 

Know Before you go: 

Tickets for Cass Scenic Railroad sell out quickly and aren't always available the day of, make sure to check online for availability and purchase your tickets before you go. 

Bring Ear Protection (especially for children) the train is loud and its whistle is louder

Bring Eye Protection, debris from the coal power steam engine can potentially get in your eyes. 

Pack extra snacks, water, and a jacket

Other things to do in the local area: 

Check out the other train rides offered by the Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad. 

Hike or Bike on the 77-mile-long Greenbrier River trail. 

Take a tour of the Greenbank Observatory. 

Go Camping in Watoga State Park 

Visit Snowshoe Mountain. 

 For more ideas check out the itinerary of the West Virginia road trip I took last year, where Cass was a major highlight along the way.