A Thundering Climax (And A Few Shays Too) Volume 4, Part 2: A Ride Along The Greenbrier

Watch Part 1 here: • A Thundering Climax (A...
The Cass Scenic Railroad's 2023 Parade Of Steam was a wrap, but there was cause for additional celebration. The newly-reopened line along the Greenbrier River to Durbin had recently hosted its inaugural train since suffering a major washout in 1985, and as part of this year's Parade two short excursions would operate up the line as far as Wanless. Part 2 of A Thundering Climax, Volume 4 covers the brief photo session that followed the Parade, as well as our ride on the second of the two excursions.
0:00 - When We Last Left Our Hero...
We pick up as Part 1 ended, with the final 'OK everybody, all together now' pass. After a photo session with all 5 locomotives, Shays 2 and 11 broke off to bring the excursion train down for boarding. While the excursion was in the station, Climax 9 and Shays 4 and 5 returned to the shops. The waltzing 3-cylinder exhaust of Shay 11 was on fine display as it left the station, in contrast to the more conventional 2-cylinder sound of Climax 9. Finally, Shay 2 smoked it up as the last locomotive to leave.
11:07 - Let's Ride
On the 3 PM excursion, we were seated in Western Maryland coach 835 - the last surviving example of passenger equipment from a railroad that was not really known for its passenger trains. After a few waves to onlookers in the parking lot, we passed by a few rusted reminders of the area's past glory in the logging industry before diving into the woods to follow the Greenbrier River up to Wanless. Since our seats remained the same (and there wasn't much to see from the other side in any case), I stopped recording video at Wanless and used the return leg to shoot a few stills.
As always, many thanks to the fine folks at the Cass Scenic Railroad for hosting the event! Now let's see about another trip up to Bald Knob or a visit to the photography weekend in the Fall. Or both...
For more information on excursions and special events, check out the Cass Scenic Railroad website at www.casstrain.com.
#train #trains #trainspotting #railfanning #steam #railroad #westvirginia #travel

[@cassscenicproductions8888]

Great Video!

[@bernarddoyle2310]

Another Great video!

[@FastFlyingVirginian]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying them!