Christmas at Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia

The Cass Scenic Railroad is charming destination that transforms into a festive ‘Polar Express’ experience during the month of December. We were headed to West Virginia and it was the #1 recommended event when I mentioned we were traveling with young kids. I attempted to do a bit of research before booking tickets and came up a bit empty handed, other than a few generic TripAdvisor Reviews about the railroad, so I hope that you find this post helpful if you are planning to check it out.

Before I get into the details, it may be helpful to know there were 8 total in our party: 3 kids (ages 4, 2 and 4 months) and 5 adults.

Important to Note

• Roads to Cass are steep, curvy and can get icy
• The train runs rain, snow or shine
• No cell reception – download Google Maps beforehand

What to Expect

As a planner, I like to know what to expect—especially when traveling with young kids. We chose a 4:00 PM departure on a Saturday and selected seats on both sides of the train. The booking process was smooth, and I received both a confirmation email and a reminder email a few days before. These included my receipt and mentioned that refunds could be issued up to 48 hours before the event.

We arrived a little early, unsure of what the town offered, and I’m so glad we did.

Arrival and First Stops
Our first stop was the Information Center, a building on the hill above the train. A friendly staff member provided maps and advised us to watch for deer on our return trip, as they’re active this time of year. Snow from a few days earlier had left the roads a bit icy, so her tip was appreciated.

Next, we visited the restaurant for restrooms (with a baby changing table!) and grabbed a bite to eat at Shay’s Restaurant, followed by stops at the Country Store and the Cass Railroad Museum.

Shay’s Restaurant
Located between the Country Store and the Railroad Museum, Shay’s Restaurant offered a basic but satisfying menu of burgers and fried dishes. The Christmas decorations gave it a cozy, festive vibe.
I recommend asking your server about house-made items—our favorites were the beer-battered mozzarella sticks and fried pickles. I had the baked potato with BBQ (with Whizz cheese), which was tasty, while my husband ordered a burger, and the girls enjoyed hotdogs and fries. My dad’s fried chicken sandwich was clearly a frozen patty, but overall, the food filled us up and kept us warm before boarding.

Country Store
Don’t skip the Country Store! We headed to the candy section and filled a bag with nostalgic treats, which delighted both the kids and us adults. Pricing was so inexpensive – we were able to fill a bag full for $4. The store also had a variety of souvenirs and local goods worth checking out. Santa was in the store for a photo op, but I’d recommend skipping this as a different Santa was on the train.

Cass Railroad Museum
The museum, though small, housed relics from the early 1900s when the railroad town thrived, including tools, clothing, and photos. While not particularly large or elaborate, it provided an educational way to pass the time. A theater nearby played historical documentaries at set times (11 AM and 5 PM), though we didn’t catch a showing. A Park Ranger was also available to answer questions about the site, which is part of the West Virginia State Park system.

Boarding the Train
Around 3:30 PM, we checked in at the ticketing office. Though I’d saved our tickets in my Apple Wallet, all they needed was my name and number to print our boarding passes. The passes were simple—a piece of paper with handwritten notes about our car and table numbers. Each child also received a small bag with a train whistle, which we hid until we got home.

Outside, we had time to take photos by the train, watch the steam rise, and browse a small art store. Elves wandered around, engaging with kids, and at 3:45 PM, the conductor called out the classic, “All Aboard!”

The Train Ride
The train cabins were heated—just enough that we could comfortably remove our jackets—and featured standard tables and chairs that could be moved around. Each cabin (except the caboose) had its own restroom, which was a great convenience. No changing table onboard.

The ride began promptly at 4:00 PM. A friendly lady “Granny” welcomed us aboard, while an elf in each cabin entertained the kids. We were served a pre-packaged cookie and apple juice box as Christmas songs played over the speakers, as well as a coloring sheet/letter to Santa and crayons. The staff encouraged kids to dance in the aisles, which was silly but fun for the little ones. Santa walked down the aisle of the train at one point for photos and to talk to the kids. (A large man with a fake beard)

The views along the half-frozen river and leaf-strewn mountainside were beautiful. When the train reached its turnaround point, it backed up to return to the station. This emphasizes that your view will remain the same throughout the ride. At this point, “Granny” and the elf initiated a snowball fight with soft cotton balls. While the kids loved it, the game lasted nearly 30 minutes, which became a bit overwhelming for the adults (especially with snowballs landing on my infant and me repeatedly).

Return to the Station
We arrived back at the station with a loud train whistle, took a few sunset photos, and made our way to the car to head back to our hotel.

My Recommendations

• Book Early: Tickets sell out quickly, especially for favorable dates and times. Secure yours as soon as they go on sale!
• Select the Right Seats: Opt for seats at the odd-numbered tables facing the river for the best views of the scenery during the ride.
• Timing Matters: Choose a 2 PM or 4 PM departure to enjoy daylight views. Later departures might leave you staring out at the dark, missing the scenic beauty.
• Ideal for Kids: This experience is perfect for children aged 10 and under.
• Explore the Town: Be sure to visit Shay’s Restaurant, the Country Store, and the Cass Railroad Museum—they’re all open and add to the experience.
• Proximity to Snowshoe Ski Resort: Cass is just a few miles from Snowshoe Mountain. If you’re planning to ski, snowboard, or go snow tubing, this makes for a fantastic stop on your trip.

Historical and Nostalgic Touch

1. Logging Roots: The Cass Scenic Railroad was originally built in 1901 to haul lumber to the mill in Cass, West Virginia. It primarily transported red spruce trees from Cheat Mountain.
2. Company Town: Cass was once a bustling company town, housing loggers and their families. Many of the historic company houses are now vacation rentals for visitors.
3. Preserved Steam Engines: Cass Scenic Railroad is home to one of the largest collections of Shay locomotives, a type of steam engine specifically designed for hauling heavy loads on steep grades.
4. State Park Designation: The railroad became a West Virginia state park in 1963, preserving its rich history and unique railway for generations to enjoy.

Other Fun Facts

1. Steep Grades: The railroad features some of the steepest standard-gauge grades in North America, showcasing the Shay locomotives’ incredible power.
2. Longest Ride: The journey to Bald Knob, the railroad’s highest point, takes visitors to an elevation of 4,842 feet, offering stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains.
3. Movies and TV: The Cass Scenic Railroad has been featured in movies and television shows, including the PBS series Tracks Ahead.
4. Ghost Town Nearby: The town of Spruce, a former logging town near Cass, is now a ghost town and can be seen on some train rides.
5. Year-Round Appeal: While Christmas is a magical time to visit, Cass also offers train rides in other seasons, including fall foliage tours, which are especially popular.

Book Your Ride

Christmas at Cass is offered Thursday through Sunday during the month of December & offer several different time slots.