Hitchin' a ride. A lone Mower Lumber Company "woodhick" hitches a ride up Cass Hill on a consist of empty log bunks headed for the logging camp at Spruce, just over a mile ahead. The power today is Mower Lumber Company Shay #4, a 70-ton, 3-Trucker, built in 1922 by the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, OH, for the Birch Valley Lumber Company in Tioga, WV as their #5. Like a lot of logging engines, she changed hands during her career and was acquired by the Mower Lumber Company of Cass, WV, where she was given the number 4 that she carries today. When Cass shut down as a logging operation in the 1960s, the line to Bald Knob and the remaining fleet of locomotives was acquired by the State of West Virginia and was developed as a State Park and tourist operation. Today, #4 is operational at what is now the Cass Scenic Railroad, although at 70-tons, she's a bit light for anything but an early season train. She's used primarily as a helper engine on the Bald Knob runs, when demand is such that double-heading is necessary. Of course, her arched cab windows and small size also make her a favorite with photographers, and she is a frequent performer on photo excursions, such as this May, 2021 Lerro Photography event.
For aficianados of geared steam engines, it's "almost heaven." Here are some scenes from the park's annual Railfan Weekends, as well as some private charters.
