Steam and Diesel Titans of the Mountain Return to Spruce During Cass Railfan Weekend May 16-18

            Railroad fans from across the nation will gather at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park May 16 - 18 for the 2008 Cass Railfan Weekend, three days of historic railroading fun with steam and diesel engines. This year’s main event will feature the re-creation of historic operations of vintage diesels and geared steam locomotives together at the town site of Spruce, a former pulp mill town of the early Twentieth Century. The combination of these Titans in operation on the same tracks has not occurred in this location in more than 50 years.

            This event is sponsored by Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and the Mountain State Railroad and Logging Historical Association, in cooperation with the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. Many activities are planned throughout the weekend, and reservations are strongly suggested. For a complete listing of events and ticket prices, as well as lodging options, please visit online www.msrlha.org/rfw.html  or call 1-800-225-5982 and ask for Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

Friday, May 16

• Diesel Day in Elkins – This excursion is powered by historic Western Maryland diesels on the former Western Maryland Line from Elkins to the famous high falls of the Cheat River, more than 46 miles away. All tickets for this trip are sold out, but tickets for Cass trips for Saturday and Sunday are still available.
• Evening at Cass – Visit swap tables, vendors, and exhibits and join shop tours, then participate in the feature program, a tribute to the Western Maryland railroad and logging operations at Spruce.

Saturday, May 17

• The geared locomotive special and separate log train leave at 8 a.m. to tackle the mountain and arrive at Spruce, where they will meet the vintage Western Maryland diesels for a re-creation of the early 1900s logging operation at the former pulp mill town.  Participants will be able to see multiple run-bys and combinations of freight and logging equipment so they can truly enjoy this rare experience.
• Evening at Cass – The day ends with a great home cooked Loggers Dinner (all you can eat) at the Cass Community Center. Other offerings include a town tour, a whistle blow (ear protection is provided and required), the Cass Showcase, the Lumbering Museum, restoration shop tours, and a night photo session.

Sunday, May 18

• Multiple run-bys are scheduled, beginning at 8 a.m., including the Triple Run-by, Water Tank, and Depot. There will be several photo stops as the passenger and log trains make their way up the lower half of Cheat Mountain to Whittaker Camp One for lunch.
• There will be an optional Railfan Weekend trip on the Climax-powered Durbin Rocket train following the Sunday trip in Cass.

            Located in eastern West Virginia, Cass Scenic Railroad is accessible by State Route 28/92N between Dunmore and Green Bank in Pocahontas County. An 11-mile connector route, WV 66, now links the town of Cass to U.S. 219 at Slatyfork.