Cass Scenic Railroad - Spring Geared Steam
On May 2nd and 3rd for the first time ever, all three geared locomotive types, Climax, Heisler, and Shay worked together on the Cass Scenic Railroad and Greenbrier River lines.
On Saturday we traversed the steep grades up to Bald Knob riding behind Shay 5 and stopping at many locations to film our train. We also were able to see Climax 9 and Heisler 6 doubleheader up the S Curve and then the Heisler again near Old Spruce with a log train behind it. We ended the day off with a night photo session with all three geared locomotives on display.
On Sunday morning we seen the iconic three-locomotive race, featuring Climax No. 9, Heisler No. 6, and a Shay all together in steam for the very first time at Cass. Afterwards we departed on our freight/passenger train which was a doubleheader with Heisler 6 and Shay 5 and stopped and several photo locations concluding our fantastic weekend.
Enjoy the footage of a great weekend from trackside as well as on board of Heisler 6 with Shay 5 behind navigating the Greenbrier River line!
Climax No. 9 History
Built in 1919 by the Climax Locomotive Works in Corry, Pennsylvania, Climax No. 9 is a rare three-truck Class C Climax locomotive. It was originally delivered as Moore-Keppel & Company No. 6 for logging operations around Ellamore, West Virginia. After the logging industry declined, the locomotive hauled coal on the former logging railroad until it was retired in 1958.
The locomotive later came to Cass, where restoration work was damaged in a 1972 shop fire. After decades out of service, a massive restoration project finally returned it to operation in 2019. Today, it is the only operating Class C Climax locomotive in the world.
Shay No. 5 History
Shay No. 5 was built by Lima Locomotive Works in November 1905 for the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company. It worked in the rugged logging railroads around Cass hauling heavy loads of timber up steep mountain grades.
Today, No. 5 is famous for being the oldest operating Shay locomotive in the world and was named the official state locomotive of West Virginia. It remains one of the signature engines at Cass Scenic Railroad and still operates excursion trains up Cheat Mountain and Bald Knob.
Heisler No. 6 History
Heisler No. 6 was built in 1929 by Heisler Locomotive Works for the Bostonia Coal & Clay Products Company in Pennsylvania. In 1939, it was sold to the Meadow River Lumber Company in Rainelle, West Virginia, where it became No. 6.
After retirement in 1965, the State of West Virginia purchased the locomotive. It steamed to Cass under its own power in 1966 and entered excursion service in 1968. The locomotive later became well known on the Durbin Rocket excursions and is considered the fastest geared locomotive in the Cass collection.
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