CASS, W.Va — Cass Scenic Railroad operator Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad has announced two special events — a night photo session, and an excursion, both featuring Climax No. 9 — to be held Labor Day weekend.
On Sunday, Sept. 3, the railroad will host a night photo session at the Cass depot, set to run from 7:30 p.m. to approximately 9:30 p.m., featuring Climax No. 9 and another locomotive. The event will benefit the Pocahontas County Artisan Cooperative, which was formed to advance awareness of the county’s vibrant arts and crafts heritage. The cooperative supports more than 40 juried artists and craftspersons working in two dozen mediums, and operates two galleries, in Cass and Marlinton. Price per person is $60.00, all of which goes to the Cooperative except booking fees.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Mountain Rails website and click on the “Buy Cass Night Photo Session Tickets Now” button.
On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4, Climax No. 9 will pull excursions along the Greenbrier River for the first time. The locomotive will pull three cabooses on a round trip from Cass to a location on the river known as Pine Flats. These will be the first excursions for this rare locomotive since the Cass shop returned it to operation in 2019. The 1-hour rides will depart Cass at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for ages 12-64, $38 for ages 65 and older; $36 for military veterans with valid ID, and $20 for children ages 4-11. Infants 3 and under are free, but tickets are required.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Mountain Rails website and click on the “Buy Cass Labor Day Special Climax Ride Tickets Now” button.
A Climax locomotive is a type of geared steam locomotive built by the Climax Manufacturing Company (later renamed to the Climax Locomotive Works), of Corry, Pennsylvania. These had two steam cylinders attached to a transmission located under the center of the boiler, which sent power to driveshafts running to the front and rear trucks. Some 1000-1100 were built in three classes – A, B, and C – between 1888 and 1928.
Approximately 17 Climax locomotives survive in North America, of which about five are operational.
The Climax locomotive No. 9 at the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in West Virginia is operational, used alongside the Shays to power the regular excursions up Cheat Mountain from May to November.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün