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Being originally from West Virginia the couple of references to the Cass Scenic Railroad brought back pleasant memories. My wife's roommate in college was the daughter of the last manager for West Virginia Pulp and Paper in Cass before the mill and railroad were shut down. Having visited Cass during its operating days was a great experience. The railroad ascends the mountain on a series of switchbacks with a grade of 11% (yes-eleven percent). From the tourist car it does look steep and is. Shays were the motive power of choice for the line. <br /> <br />As a kid growing up in the northern panhandle of WVa I observed a lot of mighty power on the Pennsylvania. I remember counting one coal drag (loaded) with 125 cars. Unfortunately I do not remember the motive power being used, however, it was steam. <br /> <br />I remember hearing a steam train starting upt with the slow frequency of "chuffs" which often would rapidly momentary go into fast chuffs. Wheel slip. I also remember the steam engine backing up to remove slack before starting forward. You would hear a repeated series of bangs as the slack was removed from each car. The crew in the caboose had quite a ride as the caboose would go from stopped to 8-10 mph in less than a second. I have heard of desks and pot bellied stoves being torn from their mountings when the slack was pulled out in such a manner. The crew had to really hold on or they would have been launched. This might be a good location for a back surgeon to practice.
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