Five hot! Producing an awesome set of exhaust plumes, the entire operable fleet of steam engines at the Cass Scenic Railroad puts on a display of mountain muscle at the annual Railfan Weekend. Leading the charge with the triple-header on the far track is Heisler #6, with Shays 6 and 5 in tow. On the near track, it's Shay 11 with Shay 4 bringing up the rear.
There are not many places in the United States where one can go and see five, full-size, steam locomotives in simultaneous operation. Even the few tourist or museum operations that roster that many active engines seldom, if ever, have them all out operating at once. At the Cass Scenic Railroad, they do it once a year, every year, in the middle of May to entertain steam enthusiasts from near and far. Not only does Cass roster 5 active steamers, they have 2 more in the shop undergoing major maintenance, both of which could be back in service within a couple of years. When that happens, Cass is likely to be unchallenged in having the largest fleet of operable steam engines in the country.
For aficianados of geared steam engines, it's "almost heaven." Here are some scenes from the park's annual Railfan Weekends, as well as some private charters.
