Cass Whittaker Station

Trip Summary

Whittaker Station – 4 mile, approximately 2 hr. Round – trip Excursion

Departing the Cass depot at either 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., the trip to Whittaker Station takes two hours for the eight-mile round trip. Passing the water tower and machine shop, the railroad begins to climb lower slopes of Cheat Mountain along Leatherbark Creek. The train then zigzags through two switchbacks, the engines alternately pushing then pulling passenger cars because the grade is so steep. After passing the entrance to Cass Cave, the railroad levels off for the stop at Whittaker Station, surrounded by green meadows and fine views of the countryside. There is a cool, shady picnic grove with tables where excursionists may rest and enjoy the scenery.

Whittaker Station is the location of an authentic logging camp recreated by volunteers of the Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association, passengers will have a 30 minute layover to enjoy the views.

The Cass Scenic Railroad travels over the same line built in 1901 to haul lumber to the mill in Cass. The steam locomotives are the same Shay locomotives used in Cass during that time for more than a half-century. Many of the passenger cars are old logging cars that have been refurbished for passengers.

Cass is the home to the world’s largest fleet of geared Shay locomotives. Five Shays, one Heisler, and one Climax reside here. The legendary turn-of-the-century Shay, #5 has been chugging up Cheat Mountain for nearly 119 years, making it one of the oldest engines in continuous service on its original line, and the oldest operable Shay in existence!