I found this on the TRAINS News Wire yesterday.
The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR needs to perform a 1472 day inspection and do major boiler work to Climax #3 in order to bring it into FRA compliance. They are going to truck the Climax to Cass in mid April for the repairs.
The truck will return to Durbin with Cass Heisler #6, which is nearly done with its own 1472 day inspection and will be finished by mid April.
The article stated the railroad intends to return Climax #3 to Cass in 2017 under its own power via the completed rebuild of the Greenbrier River line from Cass to Durbin.

I'd say this news rebukes some of the negative comments on the future of the Climax and Heisler seen on other forums.

I like the idea they will return it under its own power, is it a loaner while the Climax is being worked on?

The Cass shop has a LOT on their plate. In addition to finishing up the Heisler, they are working to complete Shay #2 in time for a special July membership excursion for the MSR&LHA. They have Climax #9 which was about 85% finished by the MSR&LHA before Cass took control. They also have BC&G Consolidation #4 which needs a 1472 before it can begin running on a rebuilt Cass to Durbin line. And...the latest, Climax #3 which also needs a 1472.

As for negativity concerning the Durbin & Greenbrier takeover of Cass, there is still a fair amount of that. For more information on the July special excursion and an overview of Cass from interested railfans, click on the following:
https://www.facebook.com/CassRailroadLo ... llingStock

It was my understanding (apparently mistaken) that the Lease prohibited moving the Cass locomotives elsewhere except for trips from Cass to off line locations such as Elkins, etc. and back.

A large percentage of the economy in the Mountain State relies on tourism, so I'm pretty certain the State of WV would like to see both railroads remain operational this tourist season. Another point, the two railroads are in the process of being reconnected with the ongoing rebuilding of the Greenbier River line to Cass, making the return of motive power much easier.

I've missed riding a train with the Heisler every single time I've been to Cass, including two trips which were to be Heisler special runs. On both those occasions the Heisler developed undisclosed mechanical ailments and a Shay did the honors. The wife and I will definitely make the trek to Durbin this year to ride and photograph #6.

Cass and Durbin are both in Pocohontas County, WV. It has a population of less than 9,000 individuals. The U.S. government maintains a radio astronomy site at Green Bank, but other than that tourism is the mainstay for the local economy. Coal never was a big player there but there is some small-scale lumbering that still occurs. Sniowshoe Mountain ski resort, the Cass Railroad and the Durbin Rocket appeal to the tourist dollars. For a really interesting article on Green Bank, "America's quietest town", click on the following link:
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2015/07/ ... can-story/

As a somewhat related aside, National Science Foundation has been threatening to shutter the Greenbank Telescope for the past couple years, wanting to use the dollars to fund other radio telescopes that they believe are more productive. With out Senator Byrd watching the shop, this becomes more likely every year. A shutdown of the telescope would cost the county a good number of well paying jobs. I would believe knowing this is hovering over their heads, there is more pressure to push more tourism. The telescope and very nice visitor's center has become good tourism draw all by itself.

While the radio observatory is an important reason for the radio quiet zone, there is a nearby DoD installation that relishes in the radio quiet zone as well. Lift the zone and those pretty mountains and cheap(er) land would likely start to attract some development in the form of ski resorts and summer homes as the cell towers pop up.

Bob

I can understand why this move is a bit controversial. But it makes alot of sense to me. I've never seen the Heisler operate at Cass. Once I saw it fired up on the standby track. I've always wanted to ride behind a Heisler, so this will be a great chance. On my last visit to Cass I also rode the Durbin Rocket specifically because of the Climax. The scenery of the Durbin line is very nice and the crews were very friendly. An enjoyable time.

Hi,

I lived in Charleston WV from about 1964-1966. I was about 8-10 years old. Mom and Dad took me to Cass many times. This was when the railroad only went past way up the mountain but did travel through two switchbacks. They had only had shays at the time. It was a very fun visit. My strongest memory is of the locomotive sounding like it was going 100 MPH but it was barely moving- IIRC it sounded like a lawn mower.

I also recall the radio telescope. We saw it a few time. For some odd-reason, I think there were occasional tours of the facility.

I also recall visiting the Williams River (I think that was its name). Much was ankle or shin deep and we could walk part way out on the smooth rocks (Once we took off our shoes and socks).

Thanks for the memory trigger that was from the radio telescope.

Doug vV

So is work currently underway on rebuilding the line to Durbin this spring? How is it being financed?

Rob Gardner

Does anyone know the likelihood of Heisler #6 pulling the Durbin Rocket trains again in 2017? I missed it there last year, and think I'd like to get there for a visit this year. Thanks.

I read a post on the Casshews news feed on Facebook regarding the work being done by WV Central. Climax #3 needed a good bit more work than they first thought, so the Heisler should be pulling the Durbin Rocket in 2017.

I didn't get to Durbin in 2016 and am like you, I want to ride behind the Heisler!

The Cass shop forces really have a lot on their plate, Climax #3, finishing Climax #6, the BC&G 2-8-0 and general maintenance on the Shays. The BC&G engine apparently needs a good deal more work than anticipated, which is par for the course when it comes to steam locomotive restorations.

I saw a post concerning IT project management but which also applies to steam locomotive restoration. "A poorly planned project requires 3 times the resources (budget and time) to complete then originally projected. A well-planned project only requires twice as much".