Cass Railfan Weekend 2010

The moan of a train whistle and the screech of the wheels on the rails…the smell of the coal-fired boiler…the grays and blacks of a surging plume of smoke from a train funnel…these are music and beauty to a railfan. During a weekend in May, the town of Cass, West Virginia, becomes the destination for railroad pilgrims from not only West Virginia and neighboring states, but from all over the U.S., Canada and England. Their language is different, with names and words like Shay, Heisler, Climax, firebox, switchback, and trucks. There is no longer left or right, but the Fireman's side and the Engineer's side. Enjoy these photos, and keep your eyes open, as you may see some of them elsewhere.