CASS, W.Va. — A Pocahontas County tourist attraction is being recognized by USA Today.
The Cass Scenic Railroad is among 20 favorite train and rail tourist attractions across the nation honored in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards.
Among the 20 nationwide entries, the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad-operated Cass Scenic Railroad is the sole tourist railroad representing the state of West Virginia.
“Whether we get to number one or if we are featured in the top 10, we consider that a great honor and blessing for Cass and our railroad in general,” said Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad Group Sales Manager Matt Scott.
The Cass Scenic Railroad offers visitors the unique experience of taking a trip on the same line built in 1901 to haul lumber to the mill in Cass. The locomotives that are now used to haul passengers are some of the same Shay locomotives that were used in Cass and in the rainforests of British Columbia for more than 50 years, according to the West Virginia State Parks site.
Many of the current passenger cars once previously served as logging flat cars. Since being refurbished, the former logging flat cars now allow visitors the opportunity to travel to Whittaker Station, which is a two-hour round trip ride, or to Bald Knob, which is approximately a four-hour and 30-minute round trip.
“When the contest first started, we were actually ranked seventh out of 20, and since the voting started, we are now in the third spot,” Scott said.
To vote for the Cass Scenic Railroad as the “Best Train Ride,” visit www.10best.com. Those who wish can cast their vote once per day until noon on July 18. At noon on July 22 the winner will be announced.
“We’re hoping it continues to bring in more and more tourists to our region and benefit the state as a whole,” Scott said.
