Shortly after we arrived at Cass, this Heisler backed past the station and waited for the rest of the equipment for the Bald Knob train to come down from the shop.
Shay number 2 and the train pulled up to the station and the Heisler was coupled on, then the passengers were boarded and we were on our way to Bald Knob. This little switcher was parked near the Cass Shop.
The doubleheaded logging locomotives made for an impressive sight as they shoved the train up the mountain.
Although it was gray and foggy, the scenery was still great.
The grades on the Cass railroad average between 7 and 9 percent, with the steepest sections measuring 12 percent.
When the train arrived at Whittaker, some passengers headed for the refreshment stand while others took a closer look at the locomotives.
The state parks department keeps a speeder with emergency supplies on the spur track at Whittaker.
Black-and-white detail of the Shay crankshaft.
More scenic vistas awaited us after departure from Whittaker.
At Oats Run, several crew members got off to water the engines.
Logging locomotives have the ability to take on water through hoses from streams or other natural sources when a water tower is not available.
After nearly two and a half hours, we finally reached the summit at Bald Knob. There, the Heisler was cut off and ran back down the mountain, as it would not be needed on the train anymore.
The view from Bald Knob is said to be impressive, but the entire top of the mountain was enveloped in clouds and visibilty was limited to a few hundred feet.
On the way back down the mountain, we met the train to Whittaker at the Upper Switchback.
After the ride, we walked toward Cass Shop and found these cabooses and some diesel equipment stored on these unused tracks.
Outside the shop was Shay number 5, which celebrated its 100th birthday this summer.
All photos by Mike Farrell. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
