2012 Cass Railfan Weekend Cass Railfan Weekend banner Three Days of Mountain Railroading in Cass, West Virginia Return of the Freight Train Multiple Locomotives Under Steam Great Runby Locations Friday Evening Presentation by Steve Barry: A Tribute Legendary Railfan & Photographer Jim Boyd Friday, May 18: Spruce . . . -- Multiple locomotive runbys in Cass in the morning. -- Freight and passenger trains to Spruce. -- Visit the Cass shop in the evening for food, shop tours, and MSR&LHA Annual Meeting. -- Special program by Steve Barry featuring the photography of Jim Boyd. -- Night photo session at the water tank conducted by Steve Barry. Saturday, May 19: Bald Knob . . . -- Log train and passenger train go to Bald Knob. -- Multiple runbys throughout the day. -- Operations include Oats Run and the wye. -- Evening activities: Whistle blow, tours, and night photo session at the Cass depot. Sunday, May 20: Whittaker Station and Camp One . . . -- Triple locomotive race in the morning light. -- Trains to Whittaker with multiple photo runbys. -- Return to Cass at 2:30 pm. Be part of this great weekend, make your reservations now! Call 304-456-4300 or toll-free 1-800-225-5982 (Ask for Railfan Weekend) Friday, May 18 Railfan Weekend photoBeginning at 8:00 am, participants will be treated to a flurry of train activity to experience and photograph, including switching and multiple locomotive line-ups between the Cass depot and the water tank. By 9:30 am, we will be aboard the passenger train and depart for the old ghost town site of Spruce. You will be given a box lunch to be eaten at your leisure during the trip; soda and water will be available on all the cars. A brief stop will be made to use the restroom and to oil the locomotives at Whittaker Station. As we resume our journey up Cheat Mountain, you will experience the breathtaking vistas of the scenic overlooks and wondrous forests, as we wind our way to Spruce. Once at Spruce, passengers will disembark and the authentic steam-powered freight train will perform a number of runbys for us at the “S” curve. This spectacular location features a long, sweeping “S” curve with the Shaver’s Fork of the Cheat River running in the background that has proven to be a fan favorite photo location. At noon, after taking on water, we will board the train and head back to Old Spruce for photo runbys with the freight train. Once we finish at Old Spruce we will reboard and head back to Cass. For those who would rather not ride the train on Friday, there will be a number of activities available in town, free of charge. The Cass Showcase, Company Store and the Lumbering Museum will be open all day. In addition, there will be locomotive shop and company town tours available. A swap meet is also planned in the newly renovated Cass Community Center. The passenger train will arrive back in Cass around 3:00 pm. Since no further train activities are planned after our return (until 6:00 pm), you will have ample time to visit the railroad shop complex for tours and to take photos. Friday Evening: Planned activities begin at 6:00 pm. There will be the annual Greenacre Photo Contest. At 7:00 pm the Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association annual membership meeting will be held. Preliminary plans for the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park’s 50th Anniversary in 2013 will be discussed, and the winners of the 2012 Greenacre Photo Contest and the MSR&LHA election will be announced. Food and refreshments will be available at the shop from a local school group (this is not included in your ticket price). Participants will then be treated to a presentation by Railfan & Railroad magazine editor Steve Barry. He will be showcasing the photography of the late railfan photographer (and founding editor of Railfan & Railroad), Jim Boyd. Friday Night Photo Session: At 8:15 pm we will make the short walk to the water tank where our first night photo session of the weekend will be held, coordinated by photographer, Steve Barry. Those who wish to remain at the shop and enjoy this historic place are free to do so. The night scene will be lighted like a movie set so you will be able to move around to create different scenes. The locomotives, water tank, mill and surrounding trees will be lighted. The use of high powered lights allows for great photos by videographers and digital photographers, as well as the traditional 35mm cameras. The night photo session will conclude at 10:00 pm. Saturday, May 19 We will leave Cass at 8:00 am and start our ascent of Cass Hill, through the double switch backs, and on past Whittaker Camp One. We will continue our climb up to Old Spruce Junction and then head down toward the former townsite of Spruce. At the old ghost town we will take on water and have photo opportunities on the new siding track that was installed by the Cass track crew in 2010. Railfan Weekend photo We will leave Cass at 8:00 am and start our ascent of Cass Hill, through the double switchbacks to Whittaker Station. After a short restroom stop we will proceed to Old Spruce, where we will have our first photo runbys of the day with the freight train. Next, we will head to Oats Run, where the locomotives take on water and the freight consist will perform multiple runbys around the photogenic sharp curve. Runbys are also planned high on the mountain at the Emergency Water Tank. We will then make our way up to the Bald Knob Summit, the third highest point in the State at 4,842 feet, traversing the 11.5% grade, the steepest on the railroad. While the engines are hot we will do multiple runbys with both trains. The Bald Knob right-of-way has been cleared back to its original tree line, making it possible for you to get great photos as the locomotives tackle this amazing grade – true Titans of the Mountain. We will serve lunch at Bald Knob, weather permitting; if inclement, we will do it at a lower elevation. After lunch we will make our way back down to the wye for runbys at this rarely used site. We will start our descent of the mountain to arrive at Cass at 5:00 pm, with the possibility of additional runbys at Whittaker Station. Saturday Evening Activities After the train returns to Cass and you have dinner, the evening will feature many activities throughout the town: Whistle Blow: If you own a whistle, or can borrow one, or simply wish to blow one, then this event is for you. Ear protection is provided and required. The whistle blow is open to any Railfan Weekend participant. The event will begin at 5:00 pm, lasting until 8:00 pm. Town Tour: Meet at 7:00 pm in front of the Company Store for a guided walking tour of the historic company town. Cass Showcase: There will be multiple showings of this video history of Cass and highly detailed model railroad representing Cass in heyday as a lumber mill town. Kyle J. “Catty” Neighbors Memorial Lumbering Museum: The museum will be open all evening. Restoration Shop Tours: See the significant progress that MSR&LHA volunteers have made in restoring the Climax locomotive at the Restoration Shop. Saturday Night Photo Session: Night photos have been a part of the Cass Railfan Weekend for many years. We will use 25,000 watts of high powered lighting to provide spectacular photo opportunities this evening. Coordinated again by Steve Barry, the session will start at about 8:30 pm at the depot. Bring your camera, tripod, and a cable release if appropriate. We will supply the lights and suggestions for exposure settings. The use of high powered lights allows great photos by videographers and digital photographers, as well as the traditional 35mm cameras. Sunday, May 20 Railfan Weekend photoAt 8:00 am we will start our photo runbys with opportuni­ties to capture the always spectacular, triple locomotive runby. After loading the passenger train at this location, we will proceed up Leatherbark Creek to do multiple runbys. Then, the trains will back down to the water tank at Cass and fill their tenders before we climb Cass Hill to Gum Field for more runbys. After that, we will proceed through the two switchbacks for a quick photo stop at the “S” curve, followed by our arrival at Whittaker Station for lunch and an opportunity to tour Camp One, the recreated 1940’s logging camp. After lunch, we will return to Cass at 2:30 pm to permit those who need to leave early to depart for a safe trip home. Friday Breakfast: On Friday morning, the Last Run Res­taurant, located in the former Company Store, will be open at 6:30 am to serve a breakfast buffet. This meal is included in the ticket price, FRIDAY MORNING ONLY. No reservations are required. Saturday & Sunday Breakfast: The 8th grade class at the Green Bank Middle School will serve breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning at the Cass Fire House, about 1/2 mile west of the Cass depot on Route 66. The cost is $6 each day; the menus are shown on the ticket order form. Advance reservations are required and tickets may be ordered along with your Railfan Weekend tick­ets. Friday Dinner: The Green Bank school will provide a din­ner of pork BBQ, coleslaw, chips, dessert, and a drink at the Cass shop. The cost is $8.00 and reservations are required (see the ticket order form). Saturday Dinner: A local school group will be offering the traditional all-you-can-eat Logger’s Dinner at the Cass Com­munity Center when the train returns to Cass on Saturday evening; includes ham, fried apples, green beans, corn, drink, dessert, and salad, served in a family style setting. The cost is $12.00 and tickets must be ordered in advance (see the ticket order form). Photo Contest: The annual Greenacre Photo Contest has a $100 cash prize for the best photograph taken at the previous Railfan Weekend or other MSR&LHA sponsored 2011 event. Check our Web site, www.msrlha.org/greenacre.html, or contact the contest co­ordinator, Chase Gunnoe, 514 5th Street, Nitro, WV 25143; E-mail Chase55671@hotmail.com; Phone 304-553-9409 for full information and rules. Tickets & Information: Tickets and reservations are obtained through the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, PO Box 130, Green Bank WV, 24944. Or, call toll-free 1-800-225-5982; ask for Cass Scenic Railroad. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Office hours: Monday to Saturday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. The price of a ticket is $ 250.00 for all three days. Ticket includes Friday breakfast and box lunch, Saturday and Sunday box lunches, and both night photo sessions. There are no Saturday-only tickets. Consider the great value! Where else can you attend a three-day multiple train photo charter for just $83 per day (and 100 percent steam-powered!)? If you wish to order tickets by mail you can click here for a printable ticket order form. If the form doesn't print correctly you can click here for an order form in PDF format. Friday dinner in the Cass Shop $8 Saturday breakfast (starts at 6:15 am) $6 Sunday breakfast (starts at 6:15 am) $6 Saturday Logger's Dinner $12 Cass Lodging Information: There are two primary motels within 10 miles of Cass: Inn at Snowshoe (9 miles from Cass) 1-877-441-4386 Boyer Motel (10 miles from Cass) 304-456-4667 The Inn at Snowshoe is offering a discounted rate of $64 per night (plus tax). Ask for the “Group Code 50V9QD Railfan Weekend May 18-20” rate. The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park has restored Company Houses available. These houses are ideal for several couples, or group lodging, as this is an economical way for several folks to lodge. Each house has all of the accommodations, and a full kitchen. (Note: make your reservations early). Additional lodging information will be sent with your tick­ets, or you can contact the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-336-7009 or visit their website www.pocahontascountywv.com. Policies: Trains run rain or shine. Schedules, equipment, and photo runbys are subject to change due to equipment availability, conditions of the railroad, safety, and weather. Please allow two weeks for ticket delivery. No refunds after May 16, 2012. MSR&LHA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All proceeds go toward historic rail and logging preservation and interpretation projects. Group discounts are available; please call the Cass Park at the number above for information. No portion of ticket price is considered tax-deductible by the IRS. Photos Courtesy Chase Gunnoe. Web Page: http://www.msrlha.org SFRH&MS Temple TX The Arizona Railway Museum will operate former Santa Fe cars Vista Canyon and Diablo Canyon to the 2012 convention in Temple Texas. The trip will operate from the Port of Tucson to Temple and return. The arrival in Temple will be on Tuesday morning and departure on Sunday afternoon. The car can be your hotel room while in Temple. All meals will be provided when the train is enroute and breakfast on days the train is parked. We will provide pick up at the Tucson airport or Amtrak station for transit to the Port. BNSF and Amtrak have agreed in principle to operate the cars and make a special switch in Temple. It is expected the cars will be parked near the museum at the BNSF diesel service facility. The cost of this rare opportunity is $2995.00 per person / double occupancy. A deposit of $500.00 will reserve your bed. If you have any interest in joining this trip please contact Bart Barton via bartbarton@cox.net, to view car interiors check out www.cruisingbyrail.com. PVs to New Orleans - Last Chanc Greetings everyone. This is your last chance to book passage to New Orleans on the SILVER SPLENDOR and PALM LEAF for Feb. 17-24. We will be closing off sales after this Saturday the 14th. Please visit www.palmleafllc.com for details and trip itinerary. Price is $2995 per person and reservations may be made with Frances at 209-357-2327. Web Page: www.palmleafllc.com Ride over Tehachapi We have a few spaces left on our private car trips over Tehachapi Pass on February 1st and 4th. On January 15th, we will begin selling one way rides from Los Angeles to Oakland over Tehachapi and Altamont Pass, riding on private cars on the rear of Amtraks Coast Starlight. The trip on Wednesday, February 1st will include dome car Silver Splendor and open platform observation car TIOGA PASS. Riders on this trip will have access to both the dome and the open platform. The fare includes lunch and dinner prepared by Chef John and full complimentary beverage service and snacks all day. On January 15th, you may reserve a one way ticket at $275.00 per person, or you can purchase a complete round trip now for $495.00 per person. Please note: The fare does not include lodging at Oakland the night of February 1st. Passengers may make their own arrangements. We will leave Southbound from Jack London Square Thursday morning on train 11 via the Coast Route. And then.....On Saturday, February 4th, TIOGA PASS will make another trip over Tehachapi on the Coast Starlight to Oakland. Arriving Saturday night in Oakland, TIOGA PASS will rest Sunday at Oakland, and then head South, along the Coast Route, on Monday morning. Complete round trip passages are still available on this trip which will feature full meal and beverage service and access to the open platform for the entire trip. Theres just something about the ocean when it is enjoyed from an open platform. Reserve now your round trip at $495.00 per person, or try to catch a one-way ride after January 15th by calling Norm at 760 955 6079 or reserve on line on www.LARail.com or WWW.RideMyTrain.com. The loop awaits your passage! Web Page: WWW.RideMyTrain.com Virginia City Private Car to Re Snowflake Adventure join with the Snowflakers for a trip over the Sierra to Reno NV. we have two trips February 17-19th and March 16-18th 2012. all meals and beverages onboard the train included. Starting at $469 per person, roundtrip, hotel package at the Peppermill is also available. Rooms are limited and not available after two weeks prior to departure, sign up via PayPal Web Page: www.vcrail.com PV move to / from LA to OAK? Just learned moments ago that I may need to return to the Bay Area later this week from So Cal. Are there any PVs scheduled to roll north (or south) this week that might be looking for a day rider? A Tehachapi Weekend Amtrak has announced that they will operate the Northbound Coast Starlight, train 14, over Tehachapi Pass between February 1 and February 8th. The Southbound Coast Starlight, train 11, will operate on the regular Coast route on the same days. LA Rail will operate private cars on the detour route so that you can experience the thrill of a ride over one of the most noted rail passes in the West. On Saturday, February 4th, open-platform business car TIOGA PASS will decorate the rear of train 14 leaving Los Angeles for the trip over Tehachapi and on to Oakland! Join us for this rare mileage trip. We will arrive in Oakland late Saturday night, and spend Sunday enjoying the sights of the San Francisco Bay Area. Early Monday morning, your private car will be attached to the Southbound Coast Starlight for the return trip to LA via the Coast Route. We should arrive in LA at 900pm Monday evening. Dont miss this chance to experience Tehachapi Pass. The fare of $495.00 includes round trip travel aboard a private car, and all meals, snacks and beverages aboard the car. Accomodations at Oakland on Saturday and Sunday night are not inluded in your fare. We can recommend several hotels near the train station at Jack London square. This trip is limited to 16 passengers and should quickly be booked up. Call Norm at 760 955 6079 or reserve on line at WWW.RideMyTrain.com or LARail.com. Checks and credit cards are welcome. The open platform awaits you!! Web Page: WWW.RideMyTrain.com TEHACHAPI!! It has been confirmed! Amtrak will operate train 14, the Coast Starlight, Northbound, over Tehachapi Pass between February 1 and February 8th only. LA Rail.com, the premier private car operators in Southern California, will operate some of their private cars over this detour route. Join us as TIOGA PASS, an open-platform business car, and Silver Splendor, a dome car, run over Tehachapi Pass on train 14 Wednesday, February 1st. The dome seats and the platform will be yours to enjoy as you wish all the way to Oakland. Enjoy lunch, dinner, and full complimentary beverage service aboard the private cars as you partake of this rare rail mileage. Wednesday night will be spent in Oakland, and Thursday morning, our cars will be added to Train 11, the Southbound Coast Starlight, for the return to Los Angeles via the Coast route. (Only train 14 is detouring over Tehachapi). The round trip fare of $495.00 per person includes round trip travel on the two private cars, all meals aboard the train, full beverage service, and access to both private cars for the entire trip. Please note: Hotel accomodations at Oakland Wednesday nite, February 1, are not included in your fare, and our guests should make their own arrangments although we can recommend some accomodations near the train station. This trip is limited to 35 passengers and should sell out quickly. Make your reservations now by calling Norm at 760 955 6079 or on line at WWW.RideMyTrain.com. The open platform awaits you!! These listings are from the Trainorders.com classified ad system. Trainorders.com Inc. makes no guarantees to the validity of posted trips. Any transaction of the trips listed are to be made directly with the vendor and in no way involve Trainorders.com Inc. When you book you are booking directly with the vendor and Trainorders.com is not liable for any damages you may incur.