[MSCW list] MSCW 2025 Destination Drive - Train to Heaven - May 17, 2025

[Timothy Metzinger]

People who enjoy sports cars tend to enjoy all forms of transportation, and our group has its share of trainiacs and plane-iacs and boatswains, so we always try to include trips related to railroads, aviation, or boating (in spite of the fact that my USCG background convinced me to never buy anything aquatic more complicated than a canoe).

In Cass, WV, the Cass Scenic Railroad operates several tours.  This year we'll enjoy the fun drive down to Cass, and ride a Shay steam train up to Bald Knob on Back Allegheny Mountain (https://mountainrailwv.com/train-rides/cass-scenic-bald-knob-trip/) We'll get going from The Linden Park and Ride lot (I-66 exit 16) near an Exxon and the Apple House restaurant, and get on I-66W to I-81S to US48W and then join US220W to WV28 which will take us down past Seneca Rocks, a fuel/bathroom break in Circleville (at the two hour mark) and pass the Green Bank Radio Observatory as we reach Cass.  Once we get to Cass (around 11:15), we'll try and group the cars and take pictures, and we'll begin boarding the train around 11:40 for a noon departure.  The train will climb up the tracks used for logging in the previous century, and we'll see the foliage change as we climb, and I believe we stop for water (for the locomotive) along the way.   At the top there is an overlook with great views!   The train ride is 22 miles and takes about four and a half hours (including the stop, so we should be back to our cars by 4:45 PM.  We'll leave Cass around 5 PM, heading south on WV28 to WV92 to WV84 which will bring us to US220 east, and we'll take that to Moorefield for another gas/bathroom break (2 hours) and then we'll have dinner at Mullin's 1847 restaurant (mullins1847.com) - try the meatloaf!  From there, we get back on US48 to I-81-to I-66, where everyone will be on their own to get home.  This is not a trip for toddlers, though bringing tweens and teenagers can work (if they can put down their electronics - the area around the observatory is a quiet zone and we may need to turn off our gadgets (including our GMRS radios) at one point.

Logistics:
Assembly - We'll assemble at the Linden Park and Ride lot (near the Exxon off I-66W exit 16) at 7:30 AM on Saturday, May 17th  Gas and food are available nearby, and perhaps we'll get some donuts at the Apple House
Departure - We'll depart the Linden lot at 7:50 AM
Time/Distance - About six hours of driving, 300 miles, with four and a half hours on the train (including lunch at Bald Knob).  This is an ALL-DAY trip, and folks in the DC metro area will likely not be home before 11 PM.
Fees - The train ride (including a cold cut lunch) is around $80, with reductions for children, seniors, and military/veterans.  Buy tickets in advance on the web site, and try to get in Car B (two cars behind the engine to minimize cinders while still enjoying the sounds of the engine).
Food - Cold cut lunch on the train, with a dinner stop in Moorefield at Mullin's 1847.  Bring canteens or camelbaks and snacks if you wish.
Car limits - sixteen (16 cars) initially, though more slots can be added.
Weather - If the weather is poor, we will postpone the ride until May 24th.  We will cancel in time (likely May 14th) so you can reschedule your ticket with Cass and not lose any money.
Technology-  I will bring nine extra Midland GMRS radios.  If you want to bring your own GMRS radio, we will be using Channel 30 on Midland Radios, or 462.7000 MHz frequency and CTCSS 17 (118.8 Hz) for the privacy code.  In Glympse, we'll use the !mscw_cruise tag to keep track of each other.

RSVP via signup genius at https://rebrand.ly/mscw2025-dd-03, AFTER you have your ticket(s) for the Cass Railroad trip.  Don't use Facebook to indicate you're going.
Visit www.midatlanticscenicdrives.com<http://www.midatlanticscenicdrives.com> for maps and GPS files.

Drive safely and HAVE FUN,
Timothy (Tim) Metzinger
Scenic Drive Coordinator - Mazda Sport Cars of Washington, DC
tim.metzinger at outlook.com
703.963.3015