Cass began in 1901 as a company town for the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company. The cut logs were brought by rail to the town, where they were processed for use by paper and hardwood-flooring companies. In 1960 the mill closed and in 1982 it burned down. The state bought the logging railroad in 1963 and converted it into a tourist attraction. Our trip down from Bald Knob ended here. Our return trip to Elkins via Spruce Junction was scheduled for the next day. We spent the night at the Bear Creek Lodge, immediately across the Greenbrier River from the train station. This picture was taken from the bridge crossing the river. Shay #6 is starting to push the cars back to the rail yards. The roof of the train station can be seen above the train. The big white building is the old Cass Company Store and the Last Run Restaurant. We ate dinner at that restaurant

After having breakfast in the little café/store on the first floor of the Bear Creek Lodge, we headed back across the bridge to "tour" Cass. With the first run not being scheduled out until 10am, there was no train present and it was a good opportunity to take a picture of the depot. Two groups were already there, presumably awaiting its arrival. The big banner below the depot's name is advertising their Christmas trains, in particular the "Elf Limited Train Excursion". (It was the middle of October). Rising above the station is a rusty brown metal building. Originally used to house and feed horse teams, today it houses the Cass Showcase, an HO scale model of the town and a film providing the history of Cass.

A roundtrip run to Whittaker Station and Camp Whittaker was scheduled for 10am. A little before then Shay #11 backed into the station pulling the cars for the run. As revealed by the bonnet (diamond/funnel shaped) chimney, it is an old engine. It was originally built in 1923 for a California railroad. It first retired in 1965 and acquired by a railroad museum in San Diego. Cass acquired it in 1997 and entered it into service in 1999.

Shay #11 has fully backed into the depot. Passengers are loading cars to the front of the engine. The red brick building above the tender across the river is the Bear Creek Lodge where we spent the night.

These two pictures show the HO scale model of historical Cass located in the Cass Showcase. The upper image shows the residential part of the town - 52 white fenced houses and various municipal buildings. At the opposite (far) end of the upper picture and shown in the lower picture is the red sawmill which converted the larger logs into lumber. Stacks of lumber ready for shipping can be seen in front of the mill. The mill ceased operation in 1960. The heavy machinery was sold off. In 1982 it was destroyed by fire.

The morning we were in Cass included a number of vintage automobiles that were preparing for a rally. This collage shows a some of cars that were there.

This utility vehicle was parked in the depot parking lot. It can operate either on roads or rails. Flanged rail wheels located in front and behind the rubber tires can be lowered to support the vehicle on rails. Once aligned with rails the rubber tires will propel the vehicle while the rail wheels guide the vehicle while it is on the rails.

As the time approached for our departure, Shay #6 backed into the Cass Depot pulling the cars we were to ride. We had gone across the river to collect our luggage from the Bear Creek Lodge and while there I took this picture.

Walking back to the depot from the Bear Creek Lodge I took this final picture before we boarded the train.

Immediately after we departed the Cass Depot we steamed through the workshop and yards of the Cass Scenic Railroad. This picture shows a line of rolling stock we passed on a side track. Two items of interest in the picture. First: Since it takes so much coal and time to heat a boiler up to pressure, they keep the fires burning on engines that are being regularly used. Note the smoke drifting out of the stack of the engine on the far left (Shay #4). Second, Shay #5, the engine in front of Shay #4, is the oldest and longest-operating Shay at Cass. It was built in 1905. Its original bell is on display in the Cass Company Store (gift shop). Further down, painted a rust-proof red, is the remnant of a Shay that appears to have been cannibalized for parts.