Whittaker Wednesdays – Cass Scenic Railroad Invites Youth to Experience the Great Outdoors Many Other Summer and Fall Activities Scheduled at Cass

            Whittaker Wednesdays at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park encourage children to experience the great outdoors with a real train ride at no cost. “Youth ages 5-12 are wide-eyed at the massive Shay engines, the whistles, and the steam,” says Dave Caplinger, park superintendent.  “Of course, the adults are equally amazed at the railroad, town of Cass, history and scenery.”

            Whittaker Wednesdays allow children ages 5-12 to ride for free when accompanied by a paying adult, who must request the discount at the time of purchase. This offer is available each Wednesday from now through August. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.  “We haven’t offered Whittaker Wednesdays for a while, and with families needing to be more price conscious we decided to reinstate it this summer,” Caplinger explained. The regular cost of the Whittaker Station Run for a child fare is $11.

            The employees and many volunteers at Cass work together developing special programs and events for people to come and enjoy. Caplinger adds, “With the train schedules and fares, charter cars, dinner trains, and special events to manage in addition to maintaining the company houses and structures and the world’s largest collection of operating steam locomotives, I remain amazed at the staff for keeping up with everything that our park operation offers. I am grateful for their dedication.”  Whittaker Wednesdays and train rides, tours and special programs all contribute to a tag line used at Cass: "Preserving America's Past for the Future.”

            Cass offers a variety of special events through the summer and fall.  When deciding to be part of the fun, choosing which trip to take is important. Regularly scheduled trips include Whittaker Station, Bald Knob (the third highest elevation in West Virginia), or the Fridays-only excursion to Spruce.  The departure schedules are posted online or available in the 2008 Schedule pamphlet.

            Special Dinner Trains for 2008 include Murder Mystery Train, July 25 and August 29; and Fiddles and Vittles Dinner Train packages are run every Saturday in July, August and September. The mystery train package includes an optional shop tour or Cass Showcase presentation, a train ride to Whittaker Station, Camp Whittaker Tour, full dinner, and the family friendly murder mystery: “The Murder of Lumberjack Johnny Parker.”  Fiddles and Vittles includes the same evening activities but instead of a mystery there is a live music show. 

            A photography Workshop is set for September 12-14. Fall Harvest Day is scheduled again this year for September 27 and includes traditional demonstrations, music, crafts and such activities as an antique steam engine show.  There is a charge for train rides, but other events throughout the day are free.  The Halloween Train returns this year on October 25. This trip includes a rare night descent back to Cass followed by a lantern tour of the town.  Reservations are required for these special evening trains or events.

            Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is located in eastern West Virginia and 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.  The park features the world’s largest collection of operating Shay locomotives, The Last Run Restaurant, company house rentals, Company Store and Shay Railroad Gift Shop, The Cass Showcase, and hand-powered rail cars. The train operates from Memorial Weekend through September 1; Friday, Saturdays and Sundays in September and from September 26 to October 26 for fall foliage season.  The company houses are open for rental year-round.

            For more information or ticket information, you may call Cass at (304) 456-4300 or go online to www.cassrailroad.com.