It’s fun to be a tourist in your own state, and what better way to enjoy the history, some picturesque scenery, and a lovely day than with an open-air train ride through the mountains? You don’t need to be a rail fan to appreciate all that this 22-mile journey on the rails has to offer, either. Up in the mountains of West Virginia lies Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, a place where visitors can take a step back in time aboard a restored, steam-powered locomotive.
Originally built to transport logs to a West Virginia lumber mill, Cass Scenic Railroad has been transformed into one of the most scenic, historic, and interesting passenger trains in the country. Trips depart from the town of Cass and take visitors to Whittaker Station (a two-hour ride) or all the way to Bald Knob (a four-and-a-half hour adventure). We’re partial to the Bald Knob excursion; featuring a unique ecosystem that’s more similar to what you might expect to find in Canada than West Virginia, Bald Knob rises high above all but one of West Virginia’s myriad mountain peaks. The train climbs an impressive 2,290 feet from the Cass Depot to the top of Bald Knob, and is easily one of the best scenic train rides in West Virginia – and the entire country!
This 4.5-hour train ride is powered by a historic Shay steam locomotive, precisely like the ones that first pulled the trains on this same railroad to the logging operation on the mountain in the early 1900s. (For rail fans, Cass has the largest collection of working Shay locomotives in the world.)
Now they carry entire families up to Bald Knob for a journey filled with memories to last a lifetime. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Mountain State on this 4.5 hour round trip journey that includes a hobo lunch for everyone once you reach the top of the bald.
There are many rides to choose from at Cass Scenic Railroad; however, the Bald Knob trip is only offered seasonally from May through the last week in October.
The train leaves from the historic Cass Depot in Cass, WV.
Please note: the above excursion is a seasonal offering that you can check out between May and November. So put it on your radar as a fun thing to do during those warmer months!
The Cass Depot is located at 242 Main St., Cass, West Virginia, 24927. To see a full schedule of dates and times, refer to this link on their official website. Rates vary by age of passenger, day of week, and season and run between $57 and $82 per person. Learn more about the rates at this link.
Have you been on the Cass Railroad? What was your favorite part about it? Let us know in the comments! You may want to arrive early enough to enjoy a stroll through this historic community, and then have a late breakfast or an early lunch at The Last Run Restaurant. Learn more here about the quaint restaurant.
Address: Cass Scenic Railroad, 12369 Cass Rd, Cass, WV 24927, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
train rides near me in West Virginia
November 14, 2021
Sarah
What are some other train rides in West Virginia?
There are some beautiful train rides through the Mountain State. West Virginia boasts such attractions as the Cass Scenic Railroad, New River Train Excursions, and the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. And that’s not all! There’s also Amtrak. Amtrak trains criss-cross the entire United States, including the state of West Virginia, and we share one of our favorite train rides in this article.
What’s the most scenic place in West Virginia?
Hands down, the most scenic place in West Virginia is Harpers Ferry. This idyllic West Virginia town is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, and is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Interestingly enough, the most photographed view of Harpers Ferry is actually in Maryland; you’ll access Overlook Cliff from the Maryland Heights Trail.
What are some fun day trips in West Virginia?
Let’s continue with our trains theme, shall we? If you’ve searched online for day trips near me in West Virginia, you may or may not have come across train excursions which are the perfect way to see the state. The Mountain State was built around railroads, but as automobiles became more popular, rail travel declined. However, there are still some great locations in West Virginia that you can reach by passenger trains today, and we share some of our favorites in this article.
Address: Cass Scenic Railroad, 12369 Cass Rd, Cass, WV 24927, USA