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We invite you to join us for a an action packed week of charter photo trains in May 2008 which includes two different tours offered within a few days of each other. This is a hardcore railfans event with a long list of spectacular charter trains for the photographer in Maryland and West Virginia . We have arranged to operate eight charters using steam and classic diesel with several different consists on eight railroads. These three different tours allow the railfan to travel by private car between the starting points on his own schedule.
| CASS SCENIC RAILRAOD | DURBIN & GREENBRIER VALLEY RAILROAD |
| WEST VIRGINIA CENTRAL RAILROAD | WESTERN MARYLAND SCENIC RAILROAD |
MONDAY MAY 12: (L) Estimated 7:30AM departure from Cumberland, Maryland for a full day charter on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad with a steam photo freight out of Cumberland, Maryland with photo run-bys. Steam locomotive 734, a 2-8-0 will be used. Starts and ends in Cumberland, Maryland
Photos below taken by Christopher Muller from Railserve.com
TUESDAY MAY 13: This is a travel day for our clients to drive from Cumberland to Cass, West Virginia.
WEDNESDAY MAY 14: (L-D) Our charter train will depart from Cass, West Virginia at 8:30AM sharp. Be sure and be at the station early. Today we will present to you operating Shays, Heslers, Climaxs, BL2, and F units on three different charter trains. Early departure on our charter steam excursion on the Cass Scenic Railroad in Cass, West Virginia. The Cass will have several of their steam locomotives fired up and in operation for us. We will spend the morning hours on our charter from Cass to Bald Knob and then come part way down the mountain to Old Spruce Junction. Here we switch off onto the line running to Spruce, West Virginia. According to railroad management we will be the first railfan photo excursion train to run from Old Spruce Junction to Spruce. This is a very remote area of West Virginia with almost no hiway access. Many photo run-bys will be made on this run.
As our steam pulled train arrives in Spruce we will now have a classic Cass Log train with another steam locomotive waiting for our arrival. On top of that the West Virginia Central charter pulled by historic Western Maryland RailRoad power will be also waiting at Spruce. We will have all three trains in the yard for photos at the sametime. Again, according to railroad management this has never been done before. We are the first. Photo run-bys and many photo opportunities will be available for all three trains. After we are completed playing with all three trains we will transfer to the West Virginia Central Railroad charter and head north for the 39 mile run to Cheat Junction. This railroad has a fleet of former Western Maryland classic diesels painted in the famous WM Speedball lettering including a BL-2, FA, and F units. Wow, what a collection of historic diesel power!
At Spruce Junction we connect with the West Virginia Central Railroad who will take over our charter for the 22 mile run on to Elkins, West Virginia. Again, many photo run-bys will be made in scenic and remote locations. At Elkins we transfer to the near-by Holiday Inn Express for check-in which is included in your tour package. After cleaning up a bit we will have a railroad sponsored dinner followed by a special historical railroad slide show featuring operations of the local West Virginia railroads over the years.
Above photos of the Cass Scenic Railroad
Above photos taken by Matt Reese of the West Virginia Central Railroad
Below photos taken on the Durban & Greenbrier Valley and West Virginia Central Railroads
THURSDAY MAY 15: (B-L) Today we reboard our charter train in Elkins for the return run of 62 miles over the West Virginia Central Railroad to Spruce. At Spruce the Cass Scenic Railroad will be waiting for us to arrive were we will transfer to their steam pulled train for the run up to Old Spruce Junction and on down to Cass. We arrive back in Cass late afternoon where everyone has left their autos. Again, many photo run-bys will be made with both diesel and steam.
Above photos taken by Matt Reese of the West Virginia Central Railroad
FRIDAY MAY 16: (L) We board our charter steam photo freight this morning schedule to depart from Durbin, West Virginia at 8:00AM which is only a 30 minute drive from Cass. The consist will be Climax #3, two C&O 50 ton hoppers, a 1931 FGE (Fruit Growers Express ) refrigerator car, flat car with tank, and a 1921 B&O caboose. The group will ride in a 1910 clerestory open side car pulled by a 45 ton side rod Plymouth diesel running ahead of the photo freight. We will pack in as many photo run-bys as possible during the morning hours. We will arrive back in Durbin shortly after 12 Noon. A box lunch will be given out to all tour members at the Durbin depot upon our arrival.
PRICES PRICES ARE PER PERSON
OPTION 1 MAY 12-16 (Full tour-8 charter trains-6 meals & one nights lodging)
DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY.........................$935
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT........................$ 55
OPTION 2 MAY 12 (Western Maryland steam charter only)
TICKET PRICE FOR THE DAY......................$199
OPTION 3 MAY 14-16 (Cass-Durbin & Greenbrier Valley-West Virginia Central-6 charter trains)
DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY.........................$736
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT........................$ 55
FINAL PAYMENT FOR ALL OPTIONS DUE BY FEBRUARY 1, 2008
FULL TOUR INCLUDES
*SIX MEALS
*FULLY ESCORTED
*NIGHT PHOTO SESSIONS
*PHOTO RUN-BYS EACH DAY
*ONE NIGHTS LODGINGS IN ELKINS
*UP TO FIVE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES IN OPERATION
*EIGHT CHARTER TRAINS-STEAM-DIESEL-RAILCAR
*CLASSIC DIESEL POWER INCLUDE FA's, Funits and a BL-2 IN OPERATION
LODGING NOTICE: Lodging is included the night of May 14 in Elkins, West Virginia only.
All other nights tour members can choose their own lodging at a budget that meet their
needs. We will send out a suggested list of hotels and motels in a future tour bulletin.
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