On your mark, get set... The annual Three Train Race of Cass Railfan Weekend gets underway.
Shay #11 leads the freight train up an approximate 9% grade leading into Whittaker.
Amy Beck places coal in the firebox of Shay #11.
When this little dude showed up to the Mountain State night photo shoot all done up in his conductor outfit for the occasion, we just couldn't help but include him in a shot. Amazingly this guy pu... (more)
Almost Heaven, [Cass] West Virginia. A typical 3 train "race" in Cass that never seems to get old...at least to me. This year's line up includes 1923 built Shay 11, 1945 built Shay 6, and Cass ... (more)
The steel tire has expanded from the hot fire and with a few hits of a sledge hammer it falls off the wheel and onto the ground.
The kerosene ignites producing an impressive display of fire. In the background you can see former Agnew Lumber Shay #3. The tire is heated, expanding the tire and then it is beat off of the wheel... (more)
The steel tire from Cass Scenic Railroad Shay #11 is removed from its wheel. The tire is heated, expanding the tire and then it is beat off of the wheel with a sledge hammer.
Cass Scenic Railroad Shay #11 travels down the Cass main during a light snowfall.
Cass Shay #11 crosses Leatherbark Creek with the 3pm trip to Whittaker Station on a beautiful fall day.
The scene many of us have grown to know and love Cass for: 3 Shays rock and roll down the old C&O "racing" side by side as they fill the Greenbrier Valley with clouds of smoke and steam.
The Cass Crew: Engineer Dirk Calocia waits for a orders to move.
With cylinder cocks open, Shay 11 backs past the ruins of the old WV Pulp and Paper Mill.