Joe Manchin III, Governor
Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : October 3, 2007

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov
Contact: Dave Caplinger, Superintendent, Cass Scenic Railroad (304) 456-4300 davecaplinger@wvdnr.gov

Cass Scenic Railroad “Leafs” the Station for Fall Color

Fall colors are already appearing on Cheat Mountain in Pocahontas County, according to Dave Caplinger, Superintendent at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. “The deciduous forest promises to be in full color and right on time for Cass Scenic Railroad’s Special Fall Schedule that is now underway.” Cass Railroad offers daily excursions for the next three weeks, providing visitors an opportunity to climb aboard and head up into the mountains to view the colors. Reservations are strongly recommended for the fall color excursions.

Cass Scenic Railroad is considered America’s authentic operating museum of lumber railroading. The Shay engines featured at this state park include Shay #2, an example of a "Pacific Coast" Shay and the only one ever to be used east of the Mississippi. A Pacific Coast is a souped-up 70-ton three truck featuring a superheat, a bigger firebox, lower gear ratio, steel cab, and steel truck frames. Another in the collection, Big 6, is the last Shay ever built and the largest still in existence, weighing in at 162 tons. The collection also features Shay #5, the second oldest Shay still in operation.

The 2007 season for train rides at Cass concludes on October 28, although rental cottages are available year-round for vacations and retreats.

Located in eastern West Virginia, Cass Scenic Railroad is accessible by State Route 28/92N between Dunmore and Green Bank in Pocahontas County. A new 11-mile connector route, WV 66, now links the town of Cass to U.S. 219 at Slatyfork.

For more information about Cass Scenic Railroad and scheduled trips and activities go online at www.cassrailroad.com or 1-800 CALL WVA.

**DNR**