Here for three train rides with my train loving husband. All employees were friendly, from the trains themselves to the stores. Company store had a plethora of items for all ages; hubby had a field day!! Beautiful area and very remote . Bus tours came daily, but not excessive as seating on the trains is limited, so good crowd control lol These trips book up months in advance; my husband booked it a year ago so don't drive up thinking you can get a seat. Three trips: ( different Shay locomotives too, but I am not the expert with this). 1. Bald Knob : a 4.5 hour train ride up the mountain. It was an open car, and it was pretty cold, even for those prepared. The scenery was pretty but I saw zero wildlife. We were going to have a hot cocoa, but after waiting on line for over 10 minutes, they ran out. There was a guy reading over the P.A., giving some history. They give you a " hobo lunch" : bun, turkey and ham, pasta salad, applesauce, chips, water bottle, 2 cookies and mustard and mayo. Bring additional snacks/ drinks as it's a long trip...and gloves and hats if during fall trips. 2. Greenbriar River: a more pleasant ride, 2.5-3 hours, enclosed car with table seating. Narrated as well at parts, but P.A. was terrible. Lunch was at a restaurant ( make your own sandwiches) in Durbin, our stop, and there were three choices which they determined. Saw 2 turtles and one bird. Highlight was meeting the people who Sartre across from us. 3. Whittaker Station: about a 2.5 hour trip, also on an open car. This trip had the most informative and interesting narration of the three. Got my hot cocoa lol and some pretty photos. Interesting town history. A cool experience for train buffs and company houses are available to stay in. Beautiful area. read more

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In full disclosure, I privately messaged them this experience when I was sent an email after our trip and no one responded so I've decided to write this review to warn others so that they will be prepared in case this happens to them. Honestly our ride was awful. What was supposed to be a 4.5 hour trip ended up being 6 hours. When we were stopped with what I assume was some breakdown, no one said anything or told us what was going on. Instead we sit there looking at woods for what seemed like forever. Then on the way back we stopped at the Whitaker overlook, why I have no idea. No one told us we were stopping, we had no idea how long we were stopping for. The only reason I can gather is so you all could make more money at your concessions and most of us were cold and wanted to get back and instead we're left waiting for idiots too selfish for their nachos or hot chocolate and wouldn't come back to the train when the whistle was blown. They should've left without them. We had reservations at a bed and breakfast and were charged extra because we weren't able to get back before check in hours. It was honestly a miserable trip. I hope that they improve the way they conduct trips in the future as this could've been such an enjoyable trip. Also, we visited the general store the next day (had to make the 45 minute trip back to Cass since there was no time to visit the shops after getting in so late the day before) and made a significantly large purchase after being told that yes they give military discounts but after the clerk processed our sale she said "oops, I forgot to give you your discount", with no suggestion that she rering the sale to include the discount. Just the cherry on the top of a disappointing visit to Cass. The only good thing about the whole trip was a nice man named Danny who let us see the informative video in the theater earlier than the official next showing which wasn't for another hour. read more

Cass Scenic Railroad - As we sat waiting for at least 30 minutes for what I can only guess was a breakdown as we were never told what was going on, I took this. - Parks Near Me - Cass, West Virginia

I love visiting Cass. It's quite the trek out to this part of WV, but it's worth it! Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, as the name indicates, is both a state park and a heritage railroad. The park also includes the former company town of Cass, but for this review I'll focus on the railroading experience. Historically this railroad was used for logging, which is why the locomotives you see here will look a little different than the typical steam train. Most of the engines that pull and push trains here today are Shays, which are geared steam locomotives. To keep it simple: these engines are designed to slowly and steadily climb steep grades without slipping and sliding on the track (while standard locomotives are made to steadily zip along relatively level tracks). These unique engines are why the drive to Cass is worth it: because you'll get to ride in a train being pushed or pulled up and down the mountains of West Virginia. There's nothing quite like it! That said, I definitely have tips for first timers. One: earplugs. The coaches used for these trains are not 100% enclosed; they're actually historic converted log cars. That means there is absolutely nothing to muffle the sound of your train's whistle. (I can't believe I have to say this, but: trains are loud!) And two: layers. The weather as you climb the mountain is not going to be the same as the weather in the railroad parking lot. At a minimum it's going to be chillier. During one of my visits it was actually rain pouring at the summit that the engine took us too, but it stayed clear and sunny down below - so much so that I came back to a completely dry car. Don't forget to go into the museum to read about the town of Cass during your visit; it adds so much historical context and makes the whole experience that much more special. Just be sure that you don't miss your train! read more

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We absolutely loved our Christmas train ride. Super cute for young kids and very interactive. Freezing outside but nice and warm inside. read more

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The drive in was unbelievably pretty! Often traveling between mountains or along a creek or river, and with the windy roads twisting and turning around rocky bends and mountainsides. There's nothing at all between White Sulphur Springs and Cass, so stock up before it be ready to wait until you arrive. I loved the idea of staying in one of the converted company homes while potentially going up to Snowshoe. I was there on Christmas Eve, so no trains running (which may be just as well as the dog is alarmed at best, terrified at worst of trains) but stopped by the diner for a chicken sandwich and baked good before strolling around town, the rail cars, and the Greenbrier River Trail. Definitely "Almost Heaven" nestled in the mountains with an old time feel, big in charm, low paced, and a break from day to day. I'll have to come back sans dog with a ticket for the train ride! read more

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Several months ago, I suggested to a group of chums that we should spend a fall weekend on the railroad. Our adventure began at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, one of the more charming, yet noisier state parks in the state. The parking lot was plentiful in parking space for my private Boeing 747, although the jet engines probably didn't help calm down the distressed dogs that were barking in the backseat of a black Suburban. The lady at the ticket booth was helpful, and the train car was as green as a crispy cucumber. While the two-hour ride was nice, Kate Gosselin and her bored children behind us polluted the atmosphere with some of the loudest, most pointless conversations I've ever heard. The black smoke coming from the engine chimney was also very aggressive -- obliterating the poor crunchy leaves that were clinging hard onto the tree branches dangled over the train's path. I'll be back once I get a good deal on hearing aids. read more

I've been coming to Cass sporadically since I was in elementary school. I'm now almost 50. I have some fond memories of riding the rails and seeing the Shay locomotives in action. But on this most recent trip, in early August, I was very frustrated to learn, after the fact and after making a Company House reservation for my family of four, my older brother, and my younger brother and his family of four, that on Mondays and Tuesdays...even in the heart of summer, the whole train scene is closed, except for the store. The restaurant is closed, the museum is closed, the theater/ diorama building is closed, and yep, you guessed it, no trains run on these days. So, we drove for three hours, rented a house, and couldn't even go in the museum read about the town and trains. That's a lot of lost business...we were a party of nine. Whoever runs this place obviously has no business sense. read more

Cass Scenic Railroad - Parks Near Me - Cass, West Virginia

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I Don't get all the hype. Its VERY slow, and nothing to see but lots of trees. Zero wildlife, rock formations, just absolutely nothing passing by at 4mph. (Bald Knob Trip). The trains are very cool, decent little lunch, nice people and great view at the top, but overall a very boring 4.5 hours. Neat company store too. read more

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Cass is an amazing place. It is more of a step back into time. Nowhere will you find a finer collection of logging locomotives than at Cass The cars used on the ride up the mountain are built on the frames of the cars that brought lumber down in years past. On a clear day the view from the top of bald knob is amazing. It will be colder on the mountain top, if you don't dress appropriately, nobody will feel sorry for you. (Least of all me) Be sure to visit the company store, and eat at the restaurant. The food is simple but very good. I personally think your visit is not complete unless you stay in one of the employee houses. If you have a group of people (some of the houses sleep 10) the price is great. Stop by a grocery store and get food on your way there, the houses have a full kitchen with cookware but the options to buy food in the area are very slim) My wife and I enjoyed some great morning coffee on the porch with deer and woodchucks roaming on by. We plan on going back. read more

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This is a great fall trip I don't think I could have Purchased a better anniversary gift for friends that were visiting us. The trip to Bald Knob is an amazing journey of colors in the fall. Be prepared to enjoy the Slow 2 hour and 30 min trip up the 12 miles of mountain track, with two stops to oil up and add water to the steam engine by taking in the beauty WV has to offer. A Sandwich, chips and small pasta salad is given to all as you board the train. While the passenger's cars have a roof, the sides are open allowing unobstructed views of the mountain, and trees. You might even see a few deer along the way. Depending on the time of year, it could get cold as you go climb the mountain. The train whistle is very loud which is annoying at times. The engine does belch smoke, but it really did not bother anyone in our party. We sent about 30 min on top of Bald Knob, which provides miles and miles of mountain views on a clear day. You can even get a glimpse of the massive radio satellite at Green Bank. The trip is twice as fast as the trip up, and provides a second opportunity to enjoy the wilderness of WV. Perfect family outing. read more

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Such a wonderful experience. The ride up the mountain was smooth & the story of the railroad history was entertaining. Stopping at the top for a quick walk around was gorgeous with the foliage at its peak. The shop at the base is nostalgic. Only complaint is the staff was not prepared for the influx of customers even though it's only by reservation & the train was full plus passerby's pop in to their cafe & shop as well. read more

Cass Scenic Railroad - The coal ran train! - Parks Near Me - Cass, West Virginia

First time visit in October. Done the 2 hour ride to Whittaker Station. The weather was great all staff were nice and knowledgeable. Beautiful scenery. The Company Store was nice. The Artestan's Gallery was nice and unique. We would recommend this trip. Not your typical tourist attraction. Just a note of a recommendation if you have to have accommodations stay somewhere else besides on Snowshoe very overpriced for the services and accommodations that you receive, and they lack in communication to their customers. read more

When I looked up the bald knob 4 hour trip on the internet it was booked for months out! I called the number on the website and they had two cancellations during my stay in West Virginia. I am so glad those people cancelled since it allowed my party to go- what an experience! I was in "H" car and it was 3 away from the engine so we didn't have it quite as loud as some... lunch given was great and plentiful. Applesauce, pasta salad, cheese slice, bun, ham and turkey, mayo packet, mustard packet, lays original chips, 1 chocolate chip cookie, 1 sugar cookie. They hand it out before you board the train. One side of seating misses out on most of the scenic outlooks but you can stand up and get pictures. The real view was at bald knob! What a great view -- no wonder it was sold out for months! Breathtaking view for sure! Pictures don't even do it justice. We went on a very clear day and was able to see all the beautiful mountains. Highly recommend this trip! 5 stars!!! read more

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Definitely a must-do at least one time in your life. Met a wonderful couple from Michigan on our ride; enjoyed their company so much that we had dinner afterwards at the Gateway Restaurant together as we helped escort them do their next destination, since there isn't cell service in a 25 mile area around the Green Bank Observatory area. Recommend the longer ride since the views are splendid and you get a nice "hobo" lunch with it. Make sure to bring a face covering of some sort to block the smoke and soot and don't wear white. Also recommend cars C-I and not near the engine read more

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Just four hours from DC, an easy overnight trip brings the weary urban dweller to an unforgettable experience in the Cass Scenic Railroad. Located just over the bridge at the old ghost logging town of Cass, now a State Park, the railroad evokes memories of the old steam trains meandering through incredible scenery. This is a low-activity trip, and most especially kid-friendly. There are three routes from Cass, each one with its own fantastic scenery and history to match. The 11-degree climb to West Virginia's second highest peak is amazing. Then there is the ghost town of Spruce, in its heyday the highest town in the Eastern US at an altitude of over 4,500 feet. The train runs spring through late fall. As far as accommodations, there are plenty. The town of Cass has rental cabins, the old logger cabins now adapted to tourists. Snowshoe Mountain provides luxury lodging, and numerous Bed and Breakfasts in the area provide nightly rest. A definite must-see in the Eastern US. read more

A train lovers paradise! I have been visiting Cass Scenic Railroad my entire life and there is always something new to see. Take a train ride to Bald Knob, enjoy a bite to eat at the Last Run Restaurant and grab a souvenir at the company store! Be sure to take a free town tour offered by the park and inquire about locomotive shop tours for a behind the scenes look at how the trains are taken care of. read more

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The day after our $83 Greenbrier Express train ride, we were immediately SPAMed by Mountain Rail West Virginia asking us to take time to leave them feedback on social media. Personally, we find this rather distasteful and at times, it's best not to ask customers you've [possibly] angered to tell the world about it? You asked. As for our trip to West Virginia, 99% of the people we met, talked to and interacted with were simply delightful, exceptionally friendly, warm and welcoming. Whether it was the kid at the gas station, our waiter / waitress, hotel clerk, the tour guide at the observatory - everyone was congenial - except one Mountain Rail employee. But more on this in a moment. As for the residents, shop owners and employees of Cass, WV, we want to thank you for being most hospitable, friendly, welcoming. We will tell many friends about out trip and the wonderful people we met in your valley. As for our Sunday, June 18th 6-hour train ride: The two female employees in the station [at the ticket windows] were happy, welcoming, exceptionally friendly and efficient! Thank you! As for the 18-year old gentleman (with the long blond hair on the train), you are a remarkable young man - extremely talented, remarkably knowledgeable, friendly, welcoming. Your parents must be truly proud of you! As you ate your lunch on the train, you and I and your older, curly haired female associate (whom the passengers in our car affectionately named "Miss Yacks-A-Lot" LOL!) all talked. It was more like visiting with best friends than talking with people who were "at work." I believe everyone on the train was enlightened, informed and entertained by both of you - - to and from Durbin. It would have become a long, boring 5-hour round trip without the updates, information and humor both of you injected in to the adventure. I think everyone on the train appreciated your personalities, humor, friendliness. Thank you. Now for the negative. While in the station and waiting to board, I was curious about what appeared to be a large diesel generator / engine that was in the railway mail car. Inasmuch, I waited then politely asked one of the train's employees, a white / Asian? gentleman (maybe 30-years old) standing outside of the engine if he could answer a question. He snapped at me in a condescending tone and told me I'd have to wait. Whoa there Nellie! Inasmuch, I patiently waited, thinking maybe I had interrupted him (in that he would talk to me in such a condescending tone). When he did eventually respond, I politely asked him if that was a diesel generator and if so, what was it used for? His response was something along the lines of "Well you know what such-and-such is on an Amtrak train, well that does the same thing." I thought "If I knew what that thing did on one train, I've have a general idea of what it likely did on another." Sort of along the lines of "If I knew what a microwave oven did in California, I'd have a general idea of what one did in New York." What a nasty disposition this guy had! This same individual was the person responsible for climbing off of the train and throwing the switches during our trip. It appears the railroad found a great position for this particular individual: Off of the train, behind it, away from the paying passengers. During out trip, we met 100 warm, welcoming, friendly people in West Virginia. Only one of them was nasty. Just one. read more

This was a unique thing to do on a weekend. I had been looking for something like this in Virginia but this was the closest I could find. The customer service folks were helpful as we tried to find the best date for our schedule. Ultimately we ended up going to Bald Knob in late October, the last day the train runs. Do not underestimate how cold it will be at this time of year. It was 50F in Cass and easily below freezing on top of the mountain. We wore earmuffs and gloves but more experienced riders had brought blankets and other warm accessories. The lunch served on the train is a little weird--individually packaged but not actually sealed sandwich fixings. We thought we were being sneaky by bringing a lunchbox with other stuff, but it turns out that despite the warning on the website and the tickets, you can bring literally anything you want on the trains. Our conductor was Josh. I thought he did a nice job of talking vs. not talking to keep the ride entertaining but also relaxing. He was very focused on telling us when to "take out our phones" to get a good picture or video. Some of his stories bordered on tall tales which were funny at first but got a little old at the end ("Cass is called 'the birthplace of rivers'" and "my great grandfather was known as the best chef in the world" and "this is the steepest grade of any railroad (that meets these very specific narrow criteria) ever!"). I learned things I didn't know about these trains and logging, and it seemed a worthy education for anyone who lives in Appalachia. On the other hand, it really reinforced to me how much coal is used (5 tons for just our trip alone) and seeing the black smoke billow out of the train the whole time was a little unsettling. I'm glad that we went on this trip as an interesting thing to do, but once will be enough for me. We kept thinking that this (or one of the shorter trips) would be a great experience for a kid who loves trains. read more

We made it to the train parade and it was an amazing experience. Everyone was so helpful and knowledgeable we learned a lot. Thank you for getting all these trains together for a wonderful demonstration. We can't wait to take a ride! read more

We visited Cass in mid-October and the color was spectacular. Our family enjoyed the trip to Bald Knob and look forward to making this a tradition. Tip: Check out the Cass museum and showcase, admission is free! read more

Cass Scenic Railroad - Parks Near Me - Cass, West Virginia

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Cass Scenic Railroad State Park There are several old coal fired trains on site. You can take a short trip or a longer trip to Bald Knob based on your time and schedule. We were there in Oct and it was nice, but cold as you go up the mountain as the cars are open. We took the shorter trip and they stop and give you 30 min to get off and look around. A small shack place was open and doing a good business selling hot drinks. If you like trains, this is a must see. The oldest is 1905. read more

This was really a treat. We drove 4 hours from the Washington DC area to stay the weekend in Cass and to take the train ride to Bald Knob. The company housing was a bit pricey but it was sufficient enough and allowed us to stay adjacent to not only the train but also the Greenbrier Trail which was a nice way to take in more of the area on bikes. The train ride was great. In addition to the steam train ride, one of the brakemen added a lot of history and some humor between his actual duties and made the experience an educational one as well. He also made a book recommendation (On Beyond Leatherbark) which is a very well written book on the history of Cass and I am enjoying that as much after the actual trip to Bald Knob. The only thing that you'll want to realize is that these steam trains do chug along and belch all kinds of coal smoke into the air which some people may not like too much. But it is what it is and coal is a big part of West Virginia so just know that if you do go you will be riding a coal-fired locomotive! Lastly I do frequent other WV parks from time to time and I always find that WV park employees are some of the nicest people you will find on earth and Cass is no exception! read more

Went on this railroad tour as a kid with my grandparents. It was pretty cool and now that they've passed it's a wonderful memory. Great for parents with kids or train fans. Beautiful scenery of West Virginia read more

Great trip! I really recommend this outing. 4 hours from DC. Stayed in the cabins which were very comfortable. There are 2 restaurants in the area: the Last Run Restaurant next to the train station and across the bridge is the Rt 66 Outpost. We ate at both. Decent food, not fancy. If the cabins are too pricy for you, or filled up, try staying at the Bear Creek Lodge above the Outpost. Note: when you check in at the cabins, they will have a voucher for 2 at the Greenbank Observatory, 7 miles up the road. We had already purchased our tickets so we couldn't use this voucher but it would have been nice if they told us on the website. The observatory is worth going to see the largest steerable radio telescope in the world. Take the guided bus tour. Worth going. read more

The locomotive is very cool. And if you have never been around a steam locomotive then you will enjoy seeing one up close and running. The trip, however, is disappointing. They back up for a long time on a spur by the river. Then go forward and back to the station. All at about 8 MPH or so. Boring after a while. The river is pretty to see, but the vegetation beside the tracks is not inspiring. Was not worth the $34 bucks I paid, and I would not do it again. Good for little kids and senior citizen tourists in comfortable shoes. Conductor was a garrulous old guy. Knew a lot but did not know when to keep quiet. read more

We had a great time! For younger kids the shorter trip is probably better. Only suggestion is to bring ear plugs, especially if you want the front car. read more

You know if your the spouse of a railfan (er, ah "train enthusiast") it's inevitable. You will be taken to a place like this. Now to back a moment and to be fair, my Rick isn't your stereotypical fan. He doesn't have jackets with dozens of railroad patches, he knows other people are nt as interested as he, and he only takes me to places like this if he knows I'll enjoy them. With that said, the Cass Scenic RR is spectacular! It's a scenic climb up one one of the tallest mountains in West Virginia. Originally the railroad was privately owned and it hauled logs from the timber forests down to the sawmills in Cass. When the timber industries played out, the state of West Virginia took it over as a tourist attraction. Riders have a choice of taking the shorter 1 1/2 hour trip to Whittaker Station or the full four hour trip to Bald Knob. Guess which one we took? We departed Cass promptly at noon and began our climb up the mountain. About half way to Whittaker Station, our train went up a 6% grade, then it did a switchback to get up the mountain. (A switchback is a sort of zigzag move in which the the train pulls forward, then does a reverse move up the mountain, then pulls forward again. Lombard St. in San Francisco is a sort of switchback). We made a stop at Whittaker Station, which has a concession stand and restrooms. Rick and I packed our own picnic lunch in a cooler (coolers and picnic baskets are allowed on board--no alcohol though) Well when we arrived at Bald Knob, it was well worth the journey. The overlooks at Bald Knob provide sensational views as we could see clear into Virginia from here. As Rick and I enjoyed the vistas, the train crew set up an impromptu picnic lunch for themselves. So here's a few pointers about riding the Cass Scenic. These trains are not fast. It takes 2 hours each way for the train to travel 11 miles between Cass and Bald Knob. But when the scenery's this fine, what's the rush? The passenger cars are open air with wooden benches. Be sure to dress warmly, especially if you're going all the way to Bald Knob. At an elevation of 4,842 feet, the temperature can be a good 20 degrees cooler than at Cass. Just so you know, even if you have prepaid tickets, arrive early at Cass Station. Just because you have a ticket doesn't mean you'll be guaranteed a seat. read more

I love trains and the sound of an old fashioned steam engine whistle. This was so much fun. A couple of things to note....wear clothes you can get dirty. The cars are open and Ash from the engine can come in. Second, know this is a scenic ride. So if you are comfortable watching the trees go by, maybe distant wildlife, this is for you. If you think a whole day train ride with doing nothing sounds like torture, skip it. I did the half day and it was perfect. Lastly, if you don't like loud noises, or the sound of a working train, skip it. It is loud and hard to talk, but it gives you the true feel of what working on these trains was like. Keep in mid I was right beside the engine so it may be less noisy and dirty further back the train. The town where you pick up the train has a cool local art store behind the station and the company store is fun just up the hill. read more

Our family recently rode the Cass railroad for the second time. We have taken many stream train rides and this is one of the best on the east coast. The train goes up a very steep grade, at some points a nine percent grade. The staff, including the brakemen, are very friendly and eager to answer your questions. We took the one and a half ride (there is also a four hour ride) and that was just long enough for our younger children. Make sure that you dress for cold weather. The temperatures can get ten degrees colder on the top of the mountain then at the base of it. On the negative side: the price is a bit high in this economy but it does take a great deal of coal for this engine to make it to the top of the mountain and the number of passengers these days is much less then it was when we rode it several years ago. In fact, the brakeman told us that then number of passengers probably was not enough to pay for the cost of running the train the last several years. So that being the case, I am willing to pay the high price to keep this training running. read more

Make the trip up the mountain was outstanding, great views, fall leaf peeping at its best. Our trip was about five half hours with three stops to meet other trains. The trip included A hobo bag lunch which was very enjoyable. Everybody in our party which included young kids enjoyed themselves on the trip. In my opinion has to be one of the best trips on the East Coast. Look forward to making another trip some other time they have many options. read more

REAL steam train we took the short ride From Cass to Whitaker station logging camp the longer ride goes here then on the bald knob. The scenery is wonderful but take a jacket as it gets cool up the mountain, you can also take a picnic lunch too (we did) or buy stuff at the snack shop there. The hot coffee at Whitaker station snack shop was very welcome. They are affiliated with other lines nearby so check them out too. The town is interesting so if you are done for the day check it out and maybe stay the night in a company house. They looked great but seemed pricey and we did not stay. Be prepared as the Company stores close up after 5:30 pm for the day. If you stay over night also be ready with your own coffee if you are up before 9:30 am. We got there way too early read more

We went during the off season when the railroad was not running but we still walked around the old mill and railroad. It was amazing! I felt like I was in a page in history. It was so mysterious and quiet. Loved it. Will definitely go back. read more

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I wish I would have read the Yelp reviews before planning a very long trip to ride the Cass Scenic RR. I thought we were being wise by calling ahead weeks in advance and buying tickets. When we arrived we learned the train had been overbooked by nearly double the normal capacity. Three of the five open air cars were assigned to three bus loads of people. Staff informed us these folks were last minute arrivals, and were apologetic explaining we'd have to stand...no other solution was offered. I'm not sure what this RR is thinking, but apparently they do not know how to say "no, we are sold out." They also fail to respect the folks who take the time to book in advance with an expectation of having a seat. Do not sell twice as many tickets as seats. Worse yet my ride standing was an obstructed one next to the chair lifts and bathroom. Standing room only also meant No room to move around. The crew was friendly but they also are powerless to act. Something needs to change in the management of this RR. You're supposed to be in the business of making good memories for your guests. A torturous trip for 4 hours standing with obstructed views does not result in positive memories. I cannot recommend this experience. Sorry. read more

Not impressed at all! I've been on many train rides and the ride itself was nice. The staff was not informative at all. They sell more tickets than seats on the train so make sure you are the first in line so you get a seat, an impossibility with two preschoolers! So a 4.5 hour train ride with no seat is just a great experience! The boxed lunch is not worth it! 9.50 for a wonder bread sandwich with presliced deli meat from the supermarket! Really? Is it so difficult to make a real sandwich? The company houses are nice. The beds a bit stiff but after a day on the train it really didn't matter! The staff at the park HQ were wonderful. The Last Run Restaurant says they serve breakfast...only on weekends! Are you kidding me??? There was not anything posted about this at all! So we waited till the restaurant opened only to be handed a lunch menu at 10:30! We were in contact with at least 8 employees and not one said anything about breakfast! I just don't understand how a place that needs to make money can run like this? I was very disappointed. The most fun we had was on our self guided walking your! My suggestion, take the Potomac Eagle train ride or the New Tygart Flyer. That's only if you want to have a seat in the train and an enjoyable trip! read more

Want a wonderful way to spend a day? This is a great place to do it. The trips to Spruce, Bald Knob, and/or Whitaker are wonderful journeys each unlocking a little bit more of some of what makes West Virginia both wild and wonderful. I did the trip to Bald Knob and it was wonderful. We grabbed a bite at the concessions at the stop at Whitaker on the way up and just took in the wonderful scenery. From the top we also got a great look from above at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank. The town of Cass itself has been largely preserved in it's historic glory. Indeed each year one or two more of the old company houses are restored to be used as rentals to those seeking some time to get away from everything. There are a number of shops in the town. One of the highlights for me was the gigantic diorama they have constructed of what the town used to look like, with staff there that can actually teach you something about the industry and the town in yesteryear. I'm hoping I can get out there and see the town and ride the trains again soon! read more

There is no way this is a 4-5 star experience if you aren't a "VIPP" customer. I pre-ordered tickets exactly one week before our scheduled ride. We were early just like the official Cass website said to be, and we were not even close to having a seat. It was standing room only if you were not a VIPP. For those of us on the train who were not VIPP's, there were 3 cars on the entire train to choose from, and they were not even grouped near each other. None of the cars were marked, no personnel were helpful in directing us to the "designated" train for the bums who had no VIPP lanyard. Of the 3 cars we were supposed to ride in, one was the bathroom and handicap car w/ very limited seating, the open air car where you could enjoy a nice a coal bath, and a standing room only car - no seats included. Customer service at its best I assure you! 4 hours on this train made you feel more like cattle than people. They should have paid us to endure this ride! While the VIPP's had larger cars w/ 20-30 people on them, non-VIPP's had 30-40 people on cars that were smaller than the VIPP cars. This trip was so overbooked it was an outrage! If this happened to be some kind of group trip, we were not warned or informed about it in the least. I never yelp, I'm not a vindictive person and I am really easy going and easy to please. You have to do an ultra horrible job to upset me. So congrats Cass, you did it for me! Moral of the story: find out how to be a VIPP or you are up a creek, and if you read this review, you know which creek I'm talking about. read more

We took the long trip to Bald Knob. Rain and clouds obscured the view at the top. Whitaker station was totally overwhelmed, even running out of hot chocolate on a cool rainy day. Commentary on the ride was largely unintelligible, and I grew up in Wrst Virginia. They need a recorded script in English. read more

Enjoyed the trip to the top of Bald Knob with a 109 year old shay steam engine. Price includes a box lunch that is pretty good. This year the durbin and greenbrier valley rr is operating the train and i think that may have fixed the booking issues others referred to as I made my reservation the day before. Enjoyed the scenery and slow ride on a steep grade. read more

I appreciate the history surrounding the use of these locomotives, and was pleased with that part of the trip. However, I wish I would have known beforehand just how much coal it takes to make a trip up the mountain. The guides mentioned that it takes 4 tons of coal for one trip up the mountain, which in our case was around 80 people. So just be aware that when you take a trip up to bald knob, your money is going to support 50-100 pounds of coal being burned to personally take you up the mountain. Had I known, I wouldn't have contributed to so much pollution. You also end up breathing in the coal smoke & pollutants for half of the trip when the engines are in front of the passenger cars, which gave me a headache and burns the eyes. read more

We took the longer ride to Bald Knob on Sunday (of the Columbus Day weekend). The depot includes a one-room history museum, large gift shop, cafe and second room with a 20 minute film and a model of the Cass mining town. We arrived around 10:45 and purchased our tickets. We then had time to see the museum and film. The crew started to seat the guests around 11:30 am for the noon trip. The crowd was a bit large and some of the later arrivals had to stand. (Get here EARLY!) The train stops at Whittaker on the way up the mountain. (Food is available at this point, but expect long lines!) The ride then continues up to Bald Knob. It gets a tad chilly as you near the peak. Bring a jacket and possibly gloves. Both stops have bathroom facilities. The peak is nice, but due to fog, the view was absent. The train then returned down the mountain and arrived back around 4:45 pm. The museum and film room are open until 5:30 pm, giving an extra chance to see both. The cafe is typical diner fare. I will recommend the train, but I highly suggest that guests arrive at least 40 minutes early to guarantee a seat. read more