Durbin & Greenbriar RR "Castaway caboose". Definately a "must do" for a railfan

[Anonymous]

I dont post much at all and mostly lurk but I wanted to pass on something I did this past week that was pretty fun/relaxing not to mention a nice little get away into the woods even if it was only for a day (I could have stayed longer but Mrs myclone absolutely hates camping).

Anyways I stumbled across the D&G site while doing some searching of things on the web about the area I grew up in as a kid. After looking their site over I called them up and asked about the "Castaway caboose" since it sounded kind of fun to me and Mrs myclone might put up with it since the caboose is pretty well equipped with most of the needed home amenities.

To hit the high spots..... You rent a former Wabash caboose for whatever amount of time you like, your caboose is coupled to the front end of the "Durbin Rocket", and you take a nice leasurely ~5mph train ride (in your private caboose) about an hour into the woods of Pocahontas county WV. At the end of the track they uncouple you and your caboose, hook up the water supply (fresh spring water thats filtered), and leave you at a nicely done up spot along the Greenbriar river. Make no mistake that youre in the middle of no where since there is no cel phone service, no tv stations to be picked up, and needless to say no interweb that Al Gore invented. You are over two miles from the nearest road access (I use the term road loosely too) with nothing to bother you other than the occassional bear, deer, raccoon, or other critters that may wander by. You fisherman definately should bring a spinning rod or fly pole and some waders....I caught two or three really nice native trout as well as a couple rainbow trout with my old fly rod. Excellent fishing if you like fly fishing or even spin casting for small mouth bass. I released all of my catch since I dont keep them and most were under the legal limit for keepers anyways so dont expect to break any world records for whatever you catch but the fishing was fun/relaxing none the less.

As for the caboose itself it is equipped with a shower, stove (gas), toilet, fridge, pots, pans, cups, utensiles, coffee, coffee maker, 13" tv w/VCR, couple dozen movies (decent ones too!!), blankets, pillows, and most anything else you would need for a not so roughing it camping trip. They even supply you with a propane grille (small one), fire wood, kerosene lanterns, flash lights, folding chairs, and other stuff you dont think about at first. Basically the only thing you will need is food and any personal items you need like tooth brush, soap, and other "necessities". If it gets a little too cold for you (it was 59 deg during the night I was there) either pile on some blankets or fire up the propane wall heater and youll be toasty in no time.

So, IMO you owe it to yourself to do the rent a caboose thing even if you only have a single cell that has railfan DNA in it.

Check it out here (you'll have to scroll down a bit)....\/
http://www.mountainrail.com/durbin_rocket.html

PS. If I put this post in the wrong forum feel free to move it and I appologize in advance since Im still a noob [:D] .

[joseph2]

Sounds like fun .I didn't know about the D&G until I drove past it on the way to Cass a couple weeks ago.I camped at Whitaker next to the tracks near Cass,then a park employee said the park allows people to stay overnight at an old railroad yard halfway up the montain.Wish I would have done that instead.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joseph2

Sounds like fun .I didn't know about the D&G until I drove past it on the way to Cass a couple weeks ago.I camped at Whitaker next to the tracks near Cass,then a park employee said the park allows people to stay overnight at an old railroad yard halfway up the montain.Wish I would have done that instead.

It was fun as well as relaxing. Since it was our first time we only stayed one night (kind of a dry run type thing) but next time we'll stay 2 or 3 nights instead.

I havent been to cass in several years since I lived on the other side of the moutain from it as a kid so it became less of an interesting thing to do. I prolly should get back up there and do the spruce knob run though this fall to check out the foilage when it changes and refresh my memory of what its like getting some cinders in my eyes[:)] (I dont mind really).

Like I said though...if you get the chance to visit the D&G and do the castaway caboose I think you'll enjoy it.

Oh, I almost forgot. Be sure to call them up and check their schedule since according to the lady I spoke with at the depot the available slots are almost full for the rest of this year and filling up fast for next year so dont procrastinate if youre thinking about it.

[cnw4001]

Indeed seems like it would be an interesting experience.

Don't know if CN (Algoma Central) still offers a similar experience in the canyon but it would also be a great way to "camp" for a night or two. On that one you might even see a train or two (freight) pass by during the time you were there.