Today, as the West Virginia Rail Authority voted to accept a lease agreement of the railroad assets of the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park from the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, many have questioned the future sustainability and involvement of Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association and how it will be integrated into the operations of the new railroad operator.
As a board member for the Association, executives from the foundation appointed a Transition Committee that has and will continue communication with officials representing the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, the West Virginia Rail Authority, and its contracted operator, the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad to ensure that preservation projects and public events and rail trips will continue.
Currently, the MSR&LHA is in the process of conducting a complete mechanical restoration of the 1919 built Moore-Keppe Company Climax No. 1551. The West Virginia timber and coal-hauling Climax was retired in 1960 and was in severe disrepair when preliminary restoration began in 2002. Once restored, the Climax will join the fleet of Cass Shay locomotives and Heisler No. 6 in operation along the mountain, pulling special event trips and in regular operation. Progress on the locomotive’s extensive overhaul is expected to continue uninterrupted throughout the transition with full cooperation from personnel representing the new operator.
Another significant annual project held annually is the Association’s Cass Railfan Weekend, a three-day steam festival along the former logging route of the Cass Scenic Railroad. The event provides photographers the opportunity to photograph logging trains, learn about ongoing preservation projects, and become involved in the Association and its restoration efforts. The event represents one of the fundamental sources of revenue for Association in providing funds for interpretative on-train services, conducting repairs to assets, and funding preservation projects such as the ongoing improvements to Whittaker Camp One, the Climax, and more.
“We are very confident our Climax restoration project will continue unchanged, along with our annual trip, the Cass Railfan Weekend,” said MSR&LHA President, Paul Rujak. “We see this changing of the guard as a new opportunity to expand on existing preservation projects, while working with the D&GVRR on innovative ways to strengthen our involvement with the railroad.”
The Association’s Transition Committee will continue communication with key personnel at the D&GVRR and West Virginia Rail Authority through this operational transition, reporting on new developments and events as they are finalized. For the most up to date information on the organization and its projects, please visit their website online at www.msrlha.org
Cass Heisler No. 6 leads two other Shay locomotives during a triple headed runby during the 2014 Cass Railfan Weekend.
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