Taking a walk away from the photo line, I decided to grab a broadside of Shay 11 dropping down the 6% grade between the switchbacks.

The Shavers Fork of the Cheat River is the constant companion of this portion of the West Virginia Central.

A log train thunders by the Cass shops and past the deadline which includes a little GE 45 ton center cab, an old lathe on a flatcar, and a few derelict Shays.

A log train trundles down the old Greenbrier, Cheat, and Elk mainline.

On a clear cold day at Spruce (note the snow on the ground), #11 logging train approaches.

Both engineer Danny Seldomridge and his fireman look quite obviously perplexed. They’re probably trying to figure out what Carl Franz is dreaming up for them to do next.

A log train crosses the second Shavers Fork bridge north of Spruce.

Cass’s two popular west coast Shays (2 from British Columbia and 11 from California) arrive at the junction of the CSRR and the West Virginia Central at Spruce.

The entirety of this log train can be seen across the wide valley at Spruce. Directly behind the engine is a WWI-era American Log Loader.

A log train climbs into the lower switchback and will soon reverse onto the track to the right. One can easily see how this is an easy way to gain quick altitude with a minimum of real estate. I... (more)

Shay 11 rounds the big curve at Spruce on the former Western Maryland. It’s hard to imagine this remote valley was once the site of a bustling logging town.

One couldn't ask for a more beautiful day to be aboard a log train climbing the side of Cheat Mountain.

A log train crosses the third bridge over the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River on its way north.

Shay 11 shoves around Gum Curve with a passenger train. 11 was built in 1923, sports 14.5x15 inch cylinders, makes 40,400 lbs. of tractive effort, and is a favorite with the crews at Cass.

On one of the stiffest parts of the mountain #11 shows off her "dumb" side as she works her way through the famous "S" curve just below the camp of Whittaker.