Features

Fathers, Sons and Grandsons Share Passion for the Rails

CASS, W.Va. -- There's something quite magical about an old steam train chugging along the mountainous terrain deep in the hills of West Virginia. For all those folks young and old who have grown up with a fascination for trains, a trip to Cass, West Virginia is just the ticket.

My dad was one of those guys who loved trains. So in 1964 when I was just a youngster, our dad and mom, along with good friends Joe and Caroline Hoffmann, piled their respective children and picnic lunches into two station wagons and headed south to the Cass Scenic Railroad in Pocahontas County.

There we would be treated to a ride on one of the historic steam engines that would take us up the mountainside and back again. We rode in an open train car where the steam and soot filled the air and us. The train took us on a slow ride up to Bald Knob where we would disembark long enough to enjoy a picnic of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The scenery was breathtaking as we looked for bald eagles and wild animals along the tracks. It was one of the most memorable experiences we shared as a family along with friends.

Jump ahead 20 years or so and once again I would find myself headed to that familiar train station at Cass. This time it was with my husband, our son and my husband's parents. You see my father-in-law also had a love of trains and passed that interest onto his own two sons. One of his last wishes was to ride in a steam engine and so we planned the trip in early fall when a chill was in the air and the colors of the season did not disappoint.

Once again we took the trip up the mountainside but only this time we chose to be inside a covered train car. It, too, proved to be one of the best family memories. Few words were needed as we all felt the peace that accompanies this simple pleasure together.

Then a week before Memorial Day of this year, my husband and I found ourselves driving south to Cass once again. This time we would share two days in Cass Scenic Railroad State Park with my husband's brother Dan, his wife Carolyn, their daughter Abi and her husband Eric, and Dan and Carolyn's grown grandsons, Daniel and Dakota.

For this two-day trip, we stayed in one of the refurbished former railroad and logging workers' houses that line the main street of Cass. These quaint houses are nothing fancy but comfortably housed all of us. It was nice to have a full-sized kitchen to prepare a few meals as dining options in the tiny Cass proper are very limited. A large dining table also provided room for a few card games at nightfall.

On the first day, all six of the men in our group and Abi boarded a beautiful masterpiece, one of eight Shay locomotives owned by the Cass Railroad. This massive piece of rail history took visitors up the mountain to Bald Knob. It was a picture perfect day, great for photo taking.

Carolyn and I chose to check out the local general store at the railroad depot and took a quick trip to nearby Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort. While few tourist attractions would be open until Memorial Day weekend, we were happy to take in the glorious views of "almost heaven, West Virginia" from high atop Snowshoe.

On the second day of our adventure, we all boarded another train at Cass which would take us on a four and one-half hour round trip to Durbin, West Virginia. It would be a trip filled with the sights and sounds of pure mountain life. The train tracks aligned with the scenic Greenbrier River on one side and steep mountainous terrain on the opposite side. Each view from the train windows proved interesting. There are remnants of the logging industry that founded the town and the loggers who worked for the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company.

At the depot in Cass you can view a film that details the history of the town and visit an old-time store with train memorabilia and treats. New to the depot is a family-friendly restaurant with a variety of popular menu items.

The Cass area is also popular with bikers and hikers who can traverse the many trails in the state park. While in Cass, do not expect to be attached to your cellphone or other electronics as internet and cell service are scarce for modern world technology. It is kind of refreshing to simply use your cellphone for picture taking and not work-related conversations. At the end of our train journey, we knew we would be back again some day. There is no greater gift to your kids and grandkids than to share a love of this land. In the case of our families, the love of trains and what it meant to the growth of this country has been passed on to several generations with the hope it will continue for many more.

All aboard!