This 22-Mile Train Ride Is The Most Relaxing Way To Enjoy West Virginia Scenery
Robin Jarvis
Author
It’s fun to be a tourist in your own state, and what better way to enjoy the history, some picturesque scenery, and a lovely day than with an open-air train ride through the mountains? You don’t need to be a rail fan to appreciate all that this 22-mile journey on the rails has to offer, either. Up in the mountains of West Virginia lies Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, a place where visitors can take a step back in time aboard a restored, steam-powered locomotive.
Originally built to transport logs to a West Virginia lumber mill, the Cass Scenic Railroad has been transformed into one of the most scenic, historic, and interesting passenger trains in the country. Trips depart from the town of Cass and take visitors to Whittaker Station (a two-hour ride) or all the way to Bald Knob (a four-and-a-half-hour adventure). We’re partial to this excursion; featuring a unique ecosystem that’s more similar to what you might expect to find in Canada than West Virginia, Bald Knob rises high above all but one of West Virginia’s myriad mountain peaks. The train climbs an impressive 2,290 feet from the Cass Depot to the top of Bald Knob, and is easily one of the best scenic train rides in West Virginia – and the entire country! As you’ll see from these Cass Scenic Railroad State Park photos, it’s a lovely journey.
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Looking for even more travel inspiration? Check out this beautiful drone footage:
Please note: the above excursion is a seasonal offering that you can check out between May and November. So put it on your radar as a fun thing to do during those warmer months!
The Cass Depot is located at 242 Main St., Cass, West Virginia, 24927. To see a full schedule of dates and times, refer to the official Cass Scenic Railroad tickets website. Rates vary by age of passenger, day of the week, and season.
Have you been on the Cass Railroad? What was your favorite part about it? Let us know in the comments! You may want to arrive early enough to enjoy a stroll through this historic community and then have a late breakfast or an early lunch at The Last Run Restaurant. Check out some unique places to stay in Cass, West Virginia while you’re at it!
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More to Explore
Train Rides In West Virginia
What are some other train rides in West Virginia?
Some other train rides in West Virginia include:
- New River Train Excursions
- Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad
- Amtrak
There are some beautiful train rides through the Mountain State. West Virginia boasts such attractions as the Cass Scenic Railroad, New River Train Excursions, and the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. And that’s not all! There's also Amtrak. Amtrak trains crisscross the entire United States, including the state of West Virginia.
What's the most scenic place in West Virginia?
Some of the most scenic places in WV include:
- Dolly Sods Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest
- Seneca Rocks, Pendleton County
- New River Gorge
- Palace of Gold, Moundsville
Hands down, the most scenic place in West Virginia is Harpers Ferry. This idyllic West Virginia town is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains and is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Interestingly enough, the most photographed view of Harpers Ferry is actually in Maryland; you'll access Overlook Cliff from the Maryland Heights Trail.
What are some fun day trips in West Virginia?
Some fun day trips in West Virginia include:
- Fayetteville
- Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
- Williamson
- Lambert's Winery in Weston
Let's continue with our trains theme, shall we? If you’ve searched online for day trips near me in West Virginia, you may or may not have come across train excursions which are the perfect way to see the state. The Mountain State was built around railroads, but as automobiles became more popular, rail travel declined. However, there are still some great locations in West Virginia that you can reach by passenger trains today.