Cass Scenic Railroad: Autumn on the Greenbrier

In October 2023, I twice again returned to the Cass Scenic Railroad in beautiful Pocahontas County, West Virginia. On my first visit the fall colors were just hitting their peak, decorating the Allegheny Mountains with gold and red hues as Shay 4 departed with the new Greenbrier Express, nearing the end of its first season of operation. I was planning to chase that train all the way to Durbin when Western Maryland 6 rounded the corner with the Whittaker train. Affectionately known as "Big Six," WM 6 was the last Shay locomotive ever built and is the largest to survive into the present. Big Six had been out of service for a major overhaul since 2018, so naturally I had to stick around to see the mighty beast ascend the hill after five years dormant. Two weeks later, I was on my way to the Shenandoah Valley when I found out that N&W 611 had been sidelined for a staybolt failure. That left me less than two hours away from Durbin, so I headed over to finish my chase of the Greenbrier Express. The leaves had mostly fallen at this point, but a few pockets of color were still clinging onto the hillsides as the no. 4 rambled alongside the Greenbrier River. After the train was wyed and backed into the former Durbin Rocket depot, I had a delicious lunch at the Station Two Restaurant across the street and then chased the return journey back down the river. This was my first visit to see the daily operations since the Greenbrier line was reopened, and while it still feels surreal to see Shays in Durbin it is exciting to see the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad's efforts to reconnect the two towns pay off in such a big way. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this amazing railroad in Wild & Wonderful West Virginia.

[@mattdotsonrailfanproductio266]

The whistle acoustics are so haunting at cass man. Nothing else quite like it. Superb video!

[@bodarville2510]

I imagine living in the times when hearing these beautiful sounds was common.
I was born in the wrong era for definite sure.

[@Balerio2357]

Awesome shots , beautiful autumn foliage, excellent video !
Greetings from Southern California;
- Larry

[@bodarville2510]

Where Hot Rodding basically started!
That was another awesome part of “the good old days”!

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Thank you!

[@lashendawest7509]

Great catches awesome capture and nice video

[@SteveInNEPA1]

Gonna get there this year. My family's heritage is Shay locomotives.

[@jacksonsdrones]

We wen to Nottingham to Catch they train back in May of 2023. Man that Bridge is Scary but probably the most Fun I ever had crossing a bridge! 😂 Great Video! Keep It up!

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Thank you! Yeah that bridge is pretty sketch, especially when you've got your hands full of camera gear. I didn't even try crossing when it snowed a few weeks ago lol.

[@cassscenicproductions8888]

Sweet video!

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Thanks!

[@anandkumarpurohit3735]

Awesome video. Excellent work. Steam engine whistle and sound so cute. This steam engine is different type other steam engine. Thanks.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Thank you very much!

[@hawkeyeten2450]

Sounds like Western Maryland Shay 6 was running on just two cylinders, judging from the noise it was making on the Whittaker run. I know Cass has been trying to get a few bugs out of her since she returned to service from the overhaul this year (Shay 2 had similar issues with its third cylinder for a bit after coming back into service in 2016).

[@CoalChrome]

So they got the river line done?

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Yes, the first trains from Cass to Durbin ran in May

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

I Have an Idea would I see the Hudsons on 200 Steam Locomotives,

[@brianfalzon6739]

What happened to Climax 3?

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

It has needed a 1472 since 2015. It's the smallest engine in the fleet so it's at the bottom of the priorities list behind BC&G 4, the Heisler, and maintenance on the Shays. I'm sure they'll get it running again someday but in the meantime they have it under a tarp by the Cass shop.

[@brianfalzon6739]

​@@SmokyMtnSteamokay

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

If coal hasn't been eliminated by then, that is. Let's hope not. Keep chasing steamies while you can.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

1. Steam engines run just fine on oil
2. You need to chill on the negativity, it ain't good for you

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

@@SmokyMtnSteam Oh, I'm as chilled out as The Snowman, if you're familiar with Christmas story.