I am planning a little excursion with my son over the July 4th week and was debating whether to go to Cass Scenic Railroad or to Steamtown. I know that Cass has the shays and just north of Cass is Durbin, where they run the Durbin Rocket a Climax, as well as a few diesels. Also, in steamtown that week they are running some of the special excursions.

I was looking for some opinions as to which might have the biggest bang for the buck. Please give me your input and any pictures you think tell the story.

Thanks,

Greg, I think it would be a win/win either way, but personally would go for the trip to Cass! I would suggest picking up a Cass DVD and am sure there are a number of them out there. I would recommend "Cass Railfan Weekend 2006" by checking out www.videotrains.com. I think I paid $10 at my LHS. It was shot on a beautiful sunny day. PCN (PA cable network) did a show on Steamtown and also have a DVD, which sells for around $25.

Good Luck, Enjoy your time with your son!

Stack

I will 2nd the recommendation of going Cass, they are probably THE most railfan friendly tourist rr around, plus the grades the Shays climb will amaze you if you have never been there.

If you are going to buy a video of Cass, I would recommend one of the ones that Rich Produced, both are great videos
Hopewell Productions Cass videos

Cass Scenic all the way! It is a great railroad at a great location and it feels much more authentic.

Had it been years ago when Steamtown was still in Vermont, it would have been a different story.

Cass Scenic you won't be disappointed and take a video recorder as they have the whistle going a lot we went 5 years ago and when I want to hear a true shays whistle in the vcr she goes. the folks are very informative as well. were going to WV this summer and if possible will do it again its that good.$oo

Cass.You will see trains that were used in that area.
Steamtown runs Canadian locos that never,before Steamtown,operated in that area.
Both have other attractions.

I can't believe it's been 14 years since I did Cass, but the memories are fresh as ever and fortunately the several weekends I spent there were great weather classics, particularly the set of fall excursions. I've got Cass slides up the ying yang which I have never scanned but I'm sure I could do a great PR piece if I found the inspiration.

Though it's been awhile also, Steamtown has been kind too, especially the winter trips in February, 1996 with MR261, CP2317 and tons of snow.

You have a tough decision to make, but you won't be disappointed with either as long as the weather holds out.

Everyone, thanks for the input. I think you have made my decision clear.

If you arrive VEERY early at Cass, before the Bald Mountain train has been brought to the station, they sometimes offer a walking shop tour. I can't remember if it was free or if there was a small fee... Either way I would do it again if I got the chance. They have a team of volunteers rebuilding the three truck Climax that was severely damaged when the engine house and shops burned in the 1970s, and you get to see that work in progress.

Last but not least you get to ride the Bald Mountain train from the shop area back down to the station.

Cass basically has at least short runs every day in the summer, but I'm not sure about the Bald Mountain run. Durbin excursions do not run daily. I believe in the peak season they are Thursday through Sunday, but check their web site or phone. If they are still running the new-build Hall (or is it Edwards?) motor car called the Salamander, that is a treat. I had heard they were going to replace it with a diesel and passenger cars for increased capacity, but I don't know whether they did.

Has anyone stayed at the bunkhouses at Cass? Not looking for fancy, but are they clean and maintained well?

I LIVE IN SCRANTON AND I LOVE STEAM TOWN ANY NEW ON THE K-4 PROJECT ............. DOSE ANY BODY KNOW IF THE TRAIN WILL BE RETURNED TO STEAMTOWN AFTER RESTORATION

JOEPECSI
Welcome to the forum
I have made many trips to steamtown and enjoyed every one of them.
Being the home base, shops, roundhouse, etc of the Lackawana Railroad, it is steeped in much more railroad history than CASS. But, I would not pick one over the other, both have a lot to offer.

The K4s project was a failure and the engine is being removed from Scranton to another location to try and complete the restoration The future of 1361 is not clear.

my vote is for you to go to cass, and while you are at it, The Durbin Rocket, the Salamander, and the Tygart flyer (in Elkins, Wv) can make for a nice rail adventure

revmike

I definatley Recommed Cass! And the last time I was there the shop tour was free. My dad and I just walked down to the station and decided to take a look in the yard, and we asked them if we could look around. The crews pointed to a group behind them and said "they're on a shop tour, so you can go with them if you want." And it was a great tour indeed! (Plus they bring you back on the train that leaves for the first trip.)

One thing... MAKE SURE YOUR CAR BRAKES WORK! We were going through the mountains and the brake shoes were litterally worn to the Metal!! We finally got home and took it into the shop. The guy looked at us and said Quote "I honestly don't know how you all are alive. Your car is a Screaming metal death trap!!!"

Don't mean to scare ya, Just a tip.

quote:

Has anyone stayed at the bunkhouses at Cass? Not looking for fancy, but are they clean and maintained well?

Hi Greg,

They are actually called company houses. The houses are restored actual company houses that were used by the logging company workers. They rent them complete with all linens and kitchen items for cooking. It is basic, but quite comfortable. These same houses are rented to ski enthusiasts during the ski season. All you need to do is bring your own food. They are clean and well maintained by a maid-staff.

The best part is the evenings when the town settles down to just the 10-12 families who still live there. You can hear the locomotive's whistles and you can even walk down to the servicing tracks and watch the crews maintaining the locos fires overnight.

We have gone several times and taken visitors who always say it was the best part of the trip.

Hopes this helps!

Thanks everyone for their advice. We decided to go to Cass and stay at one of the company houses. Very nice. We took the bald mountain run on Big 6. Quite a lot of fun. Just after we got back from Bald Mountain we hurried over to Durbin and saw the Durbin Rocket come in (Climax locomotive). On the way to Cass we stayed the night in Cumberland and rode the Western Maryland Scenic again. Also a very nice ride. I will try to post some of the pics when I get them back from trip.

Also, thanks for the tips on the mountains. Fortunately I am quite familiar with them, my Dad was from West Virginia and mom from Pennsylvania. That plus a lot of driving in the Rockies for work. NCT, just a suggestion, when driving downhill 2 suggestions given to me when I was learning to drive trailers in the mountains. 1)never let your speed get too fast that you are on the edge of control, and 2)Always gear down (drop to a lower numerical gear, whether auto or manual), you may hear your engine a lot (high rpms), but your engine is helping you to brake and saves on your brakes.

By the way, I am going to try to go to Steamtown next year or the year after. I see that the NRHS is going to hold its 2010 convention at Steamtown. Could be a good time to go. Anyone know if they will bring in other locos for this?