What is the best way to go (for lodging) for a few guys to spend 3-4 days in or around Cass Scenic RR?

Are the restored Cass company houses a good idea or is there something else better?

Thanks,
Ray


rldewley@juno.com

> What is the best way to go (for lodging) for
> a few guys to spend 3-4 days in or around
> Cass Scenic RR?

> Are the restored Cass company houses a good
> idea or is there something else better?

It depends what time of year you go, in part.

As I recall the company houses are nice, but not cost-effective unless you're housing a group of four or more.

The Boyer Motel over on 28 and 92 is probably the most cost-effective (and railfan-friendly) lodging in the area. The Hermitage Motel is a couple miles further north. (And a Google search will tell you more.) If you're looking for actual luxury (including a hot tub to soak in after a long day), there's the Inn at Snowshoe, a ski resort up the mountains from Cass that has decent off-snow-season rates for what you get. Cass can no doubt suggest other local places as well.
If those places fill up, there are also a couple places in Marlinton, a further drive. Again, a wise Internet search will tell all.



lner4472@bcpl.net

Yes there is a catch: bring your bibs!

If your intersted MSR&LHA provides free room and board to any one who comes to help out in the restoration shop! Work weekends are every other weekend check http://www.msrlha.org/work_weekends.htm
For more info.

but if you really want to pay........

Cloest is of course the cottages, find more on them at the link at the bottom......
if you want the feel of living in a company town they are the best bet, but with only about 12 of them better plan ahead

Inn at Snowshoe would be your best bet right off,
plenty of room (although I don't know about this time of year) and always seems to get rave reviews

Boyer- Never have had a problem with the resturant, but every now and then we get a complaint about the rooms (it's rare though)
occasionally this was filled over the summer

The Inn At Hermitage- Another great restraunt, as far as the rooms I don't know much other than they have then.

Also there is a bed and breakfast at Green Bank, but I've never heard from any one staying there
(yes this is the place that advertises a vegan menu)

For more information call the depot (304) 456 4300 they have a brochure with accomodations and driving distances.

Ben


http://www.cassrailroad.com/
btrue@vt.edu

I seem to recall that a college professor and his wife had a B&B on a farm about half way up the hill. Can't remember his name, but I thought he had written a couple of the local history books. Any recall who he is (George Diecke?or something like that) and if he still has the B&B?

Steve Zuiderveen

> What is the best way to go (for lodging) for
> a few guys to spend 3-4 days in or around
> Cass Scenic RR?

> Are the restored Cass company houses a good
> idea or is there something else better?

> Thanks,
> Ray


SZuidervee@aol.com

The cabins are the best... but be advised you'll do your own cooking. It gives you the chance to GET OFF THE ROAD and just walk around.

My second choice is the Hermitage at Bartow--good place, cheap, beautiful location, good restaurant.

I don't recommend Snowshoe--the highway between there and Cass is a brake burner. Stay off of it.

Wrinnbo@aol.com

> I don't recommend Snowshoe--the highway
> between there and Cass is a brake burner.
> Stay off of it.

As if he avoids burning his brakes any other way? Hell, the times I went to Cass by US 250, I got into the habit of stopping at the top of EVERY summit to turn up the retainers--until I realized that Dodges and Saturns don't have retainer valves. Last time I went, I counted no less than seven summits marked with signs.

There IS a flatter way to get to Cass via Judy Gap and Rt. 33 that basically avoids the mountain summits. But the last time I went that way, a party in a New Jersey car pulled in at the gas station I stopped at, and a woman from the car asked "Excuse me--can you tell me how to get back to civilization?" True story.


lner4472@bcpl.net

Which way do you go - 33 west to 28 south to 66 west into Cass? I plan to come down I-81 in VA.

> Which way do you go - 33 west to 28 south to
> 66 west into Cass? I plan to come down I-81
> in VA.

You got it. Take 33 over to Judy Gap, then state rt. 28 south/SW to Rt 66 west to Cass. There's a short lap where US 250 joins you. This is the scenic route; 250 is the mountain-view route. Optional detour north on 28 to Moorefield/Romney and the South Branch Valley shops if you're really interested.

And don't forget Durbin and the Climax. <:-)

Note: No matter WHICH way you go, you CANNOT make high speeds. 33/28 is curvy 2-lane, 250 is hilly 2-lane. Assume 35 mph average speed once off of I-81.


lner4472@bcpl.net

Thanks for the details.

Yes, we are planning to going to Durbin. The three of us planning to go all worked on that Cimax here in CT.

> Thanks for the details.

> Yes, we are planning to going to Durbin. The
> three of us planning to go all worked on
> that Cimax here in CT.

Climax in Durbin? I thought there was one in Elkins, is this a different one?

Re-Cass. We stayed at Snowshoe, and I found it rather sterile, since its a ski resort. Great for the snow bunnies and guys I guess in the winter, but thought it was overpriced and not that great. You are stuck with their food also. Just my thoughts. Colors were great the time we rode to Bald Knob, back about 1985! I never shot any video, only some slides. I guess I am due for a trip back soon, eh!

Greg Scholl


sales@gregschollvideo.com

> Climax in Durbin? I thought there was one in
> Elkins, is this a different one?

This is the Moore-Keppel Climax #3 that was at the CT Trolley Museum. It now operates at the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley RR (Durbin end of the washed out river line from Cass). I believe they were looking for a working steam engine a couple of years ago. They have a website, but I don't have the link here.

Ray

> I don't recommend Snowshoe--the highway
> between there and Cass is a brake burner.
> Stay off of it.

Brake Burner?? haha well you just got to learn how to drive them Jim.
(lean in to the curves!)

At the begging of last summer I think I scared my partner in crime half out of his mind a few time, there where the "Ah man do you mind slowing down?" but by the end of the summer we where both holding on to each others dash boards!

If you really want to get to Cass, I recommend I-81 to Staunton, the way I drove all summer is

US 250 to 220 south 3 miles to vanderpool, then west on 84 to frost and then north on 28/92
it saves alot on time and the ride is prettier in my opion and easier on the car.

US RT 250 all the way, the only road I know universally hated by West Virginians and Virginians alike

Ben



http://www.cassrailroad.com/
btrue@vt.edu

If you come down I-81, a viable and pretty fast alternate route is to take Rt. 50 west from Winchester to Romney and then straight south on 28. It's a very scenic trip but over many fewer summits.

K4s1361@hotmail.com

About 10 miles W. of Winchester just off U.S. 250 is Gore, home of the Winchester & Western. Not too hard to find. Cross W&W a couple of times along the way.


hcastle@rcn.com

> Climax in Durbin? I thought there was one in
> Elkins, is this a different one?

> Re-Cass. We stayed at Snowshoe, and I found
> it rather sterile, since its a ski resort.
> Great for the snow bunnies and guys I guess
> in the winter, but thought it was overpriced
> and not that great. You are stuck with their
> food also. Just my thoughts. Colors were
> great the time we rode to Bald Knob, back
> about 1985! I never shot any video, only
> some slides. I guess I am due for a trip
> back soon, eh!

> Greg Scholl

too add to what Ray said....the Climax is in Durbin operating south on what was the Cass to Durbin line. Durbin is curently isolated by rail, but the West Virginia Central runs both the Durbin opeations and the Elkins trips (currently operating from Belington to Elkins to High Falls to Cheat Bridge to Spruce/Big Cut).

Kevin

k_gilliam@bellsouth.net