Durbin and Cass Railroad Connection is Complete
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on February 10, 2023
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The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad Facebook page announces completion of a 15-mile-long section of railroad between Cass and Durbin, WV following a multi-year restoration. On Wed., Feb. 1, the official steam locomotive of West Virginia, 118-year-old Shay No. 5, made the first complete trip over the line since 1985.
Departing Cass at 9 a.m. pulling a caboose full of crew members, Shay No. 5 began the journey to Durbin where it retrieved Heisler No. 6 for its much-anticipated return to Cass.
The monumental undertaking to restore the piece of railroad, which was decimated by historic flooding in 1985, included the repair of over five miles of washed-out roadbed, track and the construction of a new bridge.
Beginning this spring the Greenbrier Express will depart the restored, historically important town of Cass and closely follow the free-flowing Greenbrier River to the small mountain village of Durbin. The ride upriver to Durbin passes through secluded wilderness featuring beautiful scenes of forested mountains at each turn of the river. Sightings of Deer, River Otters, and Black Bear along with a wide variety of Eagles, Hawks, Ospreys are common.
Please follow social media channels and www.mountainrail.com for updates, including schedule and reservation information which will be announced soon.
Photos are courtesy of the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad Facebook page.
