This week’s Saturday Infrared photo is of Cass Scenic Railway Shay locomotive number 11, (C-90-3) as it backs through the forest during the Rail Heritage Photography Weekend photo shoot at Cass, West Virginia on November 5th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: Cass Scenic Railroad, is an 11-mile (18 km) long heritage railway owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority and operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The park also includes the former company town of Cass and a portion of the summit of Bald Knob, the highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain. Founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company (now WestRock), Cass was built as a company town to serve the needs of the men who worked in the nearby mountains cutting spruce and hemlock for the West Virginia Spruce Lumber Company, a subsidiary of WVP&P. At one time, the sawmill at Cass was the largest double-band sawmill in the world. It processed an estimated 1.25 billion board feet (104,000,000 cu ft; 2,950,000 m3) of lumber during its lifetime. In 1901 work started on the 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge railroad, which climbs Back Allegheny Mountain. The railroad eventually reached a meadow area, now known as Whittaker Station, where a logging camp was established for the immigrants who were building the railroad. The railroad soon reached the top of Gobblers Knob, and then a location on top of the mountain known as 'Spruce'. The railroad built a small town at that location, complete with a company store, houses, a hotel, and a doctor's office. Work soon commenced on logging the red spruce trees, which grew in the higher elevations. Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @ 24mm, f/4.5, 1/180, ISO 2000. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #infraredtrainphotography #infraredphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer#cassscenicrailway #steamtrains

This week’s Saturday Infrared photo is of Cass Scenic Railway Shay locomotive number 11…

This week’s Saturday Infrared photo is of Cass Scenic Railway Shay locomotive number 11, (C-90-3) as it backs through the forest during the Rail Heritage Photography Weekend photo shoot at Cass, West Virginia on November 5th, 2022.

According to Wikipedia: Cass Scenic Railroad, is an 11-mile (18 km) long heritage railway owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority and operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The park also includes the former company town of Cass and a portion of the summit of Bald Knob, the highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain.

Founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company (now WestRock), Cass was built as a company town to serve the needs of the men who worked in the nearby mountains cutting spruce and hemlock for the West Virginia Spruce Lumber Company, a subsidiary of WVP&P. At one time, the sawmill at Cass was the largest double-band sawmill in the world. It processed an estimated 1.25 billion board feet (104,000,000 cu ft; 2,950,000 m3) of lumber during its lifetime. In 1901 work started on the 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge railroad, which climbs Back Allegheny Mountain.

The railroad eventually reached a meadow area, now known as Whittaker Station, where a logging camp was established for the immigrants who were building the railroad. The railroad soon reached the top of Gobblers Knob, and then a location on top of the mountain known as ‘Spruce’. The railroad built a small town at that location, complete with a company store, houses, a hotel, and a doctor’s office. Work soon commenced on logging the red spruce trees, which grew in the higher elevations.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @ 24mm, f/4.5, 1/180, ISO 2000.

November 4-6th, 2022 – Cass Scenic Railroads’ Rail Heritage Weekend at Durbin and Cass, WV

This week’s edited video is from my trip to Cass Scenic Railroad’s Rail Heritage Weekend, which was a photo charter at Durbin and Cass, West Virginia.

I participated in the Rail Heritage Weekend, with about 50 other railfans, including friends Bryan Burton and Dave Higdon, Jr. This video covers the the steam operations during the weekend.

I just received my new iPhone 14 Pro before this trip and used it for all my video work you see here. The image stabilization is so awesome on this thing, not to mention the image quality from the camera, from a phone! #jimpearsonphotography Thanks for watching!

Don’t forget to Subscribe and Ring the Notification Bell so you won’t miss any of my future videos! Have a blessed day everyone!!

Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6, backs down to the wye at Durban, West Virginia, to pick up a set of freight cars, during the Mountain Rail WV, Rail Heritage Photography Weekend. The event was held at the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Durbin, WV, and Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass, WV, from November 4-6th, 2022. Heisler No. 6 was built in 1929 and is a Class C-90 locomotive with 3 trucks. According to Wikipedia: The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad (reporting mark DGVR) is a heritage and freight railroad in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia. It operates the West Virginia State Rail Authority-owned Durbin Railroad and West Virginia Central Railroad (reporting mark WVC), as well as the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in Virginia. Beginning in 2015, DGVR began operating the historic geared steam-powered Cass Scenic Railroad, which was previously operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as part of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 270mm, f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 2800. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #cassscenicrailway #durbinandgreenbriervalleyrr #trainsfromtheair #steamtrains

Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6 at Durbin, WV

Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6, backs down to the wye at Durbin, West Virginia, to pick up a set of freight cars, during the Mountain Rail WV, Rail Heritage Photography Weekend. The event was held at the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Durbin, WV, and Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass, WV, from November 4-6th, 2022. Heisler No. 6 was built in 1929 and is a Class C-90 locomotive with 3 trucks.

According to Wikipedia: The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad (reporting mark DGVR) is a heritage and freight railroad in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia. It operates the West Virginia State Rail Authority-owned Durbin Railroad and West Virginia Central Railroad (reporting mark WVC), as well as the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in Virginia.

Beginning in 2015, DGVR began operating the historic geared steam-powered Cass Scenic Railroad, which was previously operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as part of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 270mm, f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 2800.

Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6, leads a freight train past an old barn at Hosterman, West Virginia during the Mountain Rail WV, Rail Heritage Photography Weekend on November 4th, 2022. The event was held at the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Durbin, WV, and Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass, WV, from November 4-6th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad (reporting mark DGVR) is a heritage and freight railroad in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia. It operates the West Virginia State Rail Authority-owned Durbin Railroad and West Virginia Central Railroad (reporting mark WVC), as well as the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in Virginia. Beginning in 2015, DGVR began operating the historic geared steam-powered Cass Scenic Railroad, which was previously operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as part of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 200. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #cassscenicrailway #durbinandgreenbriervalleyrr #trainsfromtheair #steamtrains

Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6 at Hosterman, West Virginia

Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6, leads a freight train past an old barn at Hosterman, West Virginia during the Mountain Rail WV, Rail Heritage Photography Weekend on November 4th, 2022. The event was held at the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Durbin, WV, and Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass, WV, from November 4-6th, 2022.

According to Wikipedia: The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad (reporting mark DGVR) is a heritage and freight railroad in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia. It operates the West Virginia State Rail Authority-owned Durbin Railroad and West Virginia Central Railroad (reporting mark WVC), as well as the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in Virginia.

Beginning in 2015, DGVR began operating the historic geared steam-powered Cass Scenic Railroad, which was previously operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as part of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 200.

Cass Scenic Railway Shay locomotive number 11, (C-90-3) sits outside the engine house during the Rail Heritage Photography Weekend night photo shoot at Cass, West Virginia on November 5th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: Cass Scenic Railroad, is an 11-mile (18 km) long heritage railway owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority and operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The park also includes the former company town of Cass and a portion of the summit of Bald Knob, the highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain. Founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company (now WestRock), Cass was built as a company town to serve the needs of the men who worked in the nearby mountains cutting spruce and hemlock for the West Virginia Spruce Lumber Company, a subsidiary of WVP&P. At one time, the sawmill at Cass was the largest double-band sawmill in the world. It processed an estimated 1.25 billion board feet (104,000,000 cu ft; 2,950,000 m3) of lumber during its lifetime. In 1901 work started on the 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge railroad, which climbs Back Allegheny Mountain. The railroad eventually reached a meadow area, now known as Whittaker Station, where a logging camp was established for the immigrants who were building the railroad. The railroad soon reached the top of Gobblers Knob, and then a location on top of the mountain known as 'Spruce'. The railroad built a small town at that location, complete with a company store, houses, a hotel, and a doctor's office. Work soon commenced on logging the red spruce trees, which grew in the higher elevations. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 3sec exposure, +0.3 stops, ISO 200. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #cassscenicrailway #trainsfromtheair #steamtrains

Cass Scenic Railway Shay locomotive number 11 night shot at Cass, WV

Cass Scenic Railway Shay locomotive number 11, (C-90-3) sits outside the engine house during the Rail Heritage Photography Weekend night photo shoot at Cass, West Virginia on November 5th, 2022.

According to Wikipedia: Cass Scenic Railroad, is an 11-mile (18 km) long heritage railway owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority and operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The park also includes the former company town of Cass and a portion of the summit of Bald Knob, the highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain.

Founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company (now WestRock), Cass was built as a company town to serve the needs of the men who worked in the nearby mountains cutting spruce and hemlock for the West Virginia Spruce Lumber Company, a subsidiary of WVP&P. At one time, the sawmill at Cass was the largest double-band sawmill in the world. It processed an estimated 1.25 billion board feet (104,000,000 cu ft; 2,950,000 m3) of lumber during its lifetime. In 1901 work started on the 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge railroad, which climbs Back Allegheny Mountain.

The railroad eventually reached a meadow area, now known as Whittaker Station, where a logging camp was established for the immigrants who were building the railroad. The railroad soon reached the top of Gobblers Knob, and then a location on top of the mountain known as ‘Spruce’. The railroad built a small town at that location, complete with a company store, houses, a hotel, and a doctor’s office. Work soon commenced on logging the red spruce trees, which grew in the higher elevations.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 3sec exposure, +0.3 stops, ISO 200.

CSXT 813 pulls past the old C&O Depot at Thurmond, West Virginia as it heads east with loaded coal train C206 on the New River Subdivision on November 3rd, 2022. According to Wikipedia: Thurmond is a town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States, on the New River. The population was five at the 2020 census. During the heyday of coal mining in the New River Gorge, Thurmond was a prosperous town with several businesses and facilities for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. The C&O passenger railway depot in town was renovated in 1995 and Amtrak stops there 3 times a week. The entire town is a designated historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of Thurmond is owned by the National Park Service for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Thurmond is the least-populous municipality in West Virginia. During the June 14, 2005, city elections six of the city's seven residents sought elected office. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSXT 813 pulls past the old C&O Depot at Thurmond, West Virginia

CSXT 813 pulls past the old C&O Depot at Thurmond, West Virginia as it heads east with loaded coal train C206 on the New River Subdivision on November 3rd, 2022.

According to Wikipedia: Thurmond is a town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States, on the New River. The population was five at the 2020 census. During the heyday of coal mining in the New River Gorge, Thurmond was a prosperous town with several businesses and facilities for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.

The C&O passenger railway depot in town was renovated in 1995 and Amtrak stops there 3 times a week. The entire town is a designated historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

Most of Thurmond is owned by the National Park Service for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Thurmond is the least-populous municipality in West Virginia. During the June 14, 2005, city elections six of the city’s seven residents sought elected office.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 130.

For this week’s Saturday Infrared photo, we find Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6, leading a freight train at Hosterman, West Virginia during the Mountain Rail WV, Rail Heritage Photography Weekend on November 4th, 2022. The event was held at the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Durbin, WV, and Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass, WV, from November 4-6th, 2022. Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park According to Wikipedia: The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad (reporting mark DGVR) is a heritage and freight railroad in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia. It operates the West Virginia State Rail Authority-owned Durbin Railroad and West Virginia Central Railroad (reporting mark WVC), as well as the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in Virginia. Beginning in 2015, DGVR began operating the historic geared steam-powered Cass Scenic Railroad, which was previously operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as part of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @ 10mm, f/4.5, 1/250, ISO 400. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #infraredtrainphotography #infraredphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #cassscenicrailway #durbinandgreenbriervalleyrr #steamtrains

Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6 at Hosterman, West Virginia

For this week’s Saturday Infrared photo, we find Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6, leading a freight train at Hosterman, West Virginia during the Mountain Rail WV, Rail Heritage Photography Weekend on November 4th, 2022.

The event was held at the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Durbin, WV, and Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass, WV, from November 4-6th, 2022. Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park


According to Wikipedia: The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad (reporting mark DGVR) is a heritage and freight railroad in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia. It operates the West Virginia State Rail Authority-owned Durbin Railroad and West Virginia Central Railroad (reporting mark WVC), as well as the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in Virginia.

Beginning in 2015, DGVR began operating the historic geared steam-powered Cass Scenic Railroad, which was previously operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as part of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @ 10mm, f/4.5, 1/250, ISO 400.

Nov. 3 & 7, 2022, CSX action on the Kanawha & New River subdivisions from Huntington & Thurmond, WV.

November 12th, 2022 – This week in this edited video we catch November 3rd and 7th, 2022, in this edited video we catch CSX action on the Kanawha and New River subdivisions between Huntington & Thurmond, WV as I made my way to and from Cass, West Virginia.

I was headed out to participate in their Rail Heritage Weekend, with about 50 other railfans, including friends Bryan Burton and Dave Higdon, Jr. We all had a great time, and you’ll see a video of the steam operations during the weekend in my edited video on November 19th, 2022, so stay tuned and be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss it! #jimpearsonphotography

Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6, leads a freight train past a wetlands area at Hosterman, West Virginia during the Mountain Rail WV, Rail Heritage Photography Weekend. The event was held at the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Durbin, WV, and Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass, WV, from November 4-6th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad (reporting mark DGVR) is a heritage and freight railroad in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia. It operates the West Virginia State Rail Authority-owned Durbin Railroad and West Virginia Central Railroad (reporting mark WVC), as well as the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in Virginia. Beginning in 2015, DGVR began operating the historic geared steam-powered Cass Scenic Railroad, which was previously operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as part of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #cassscenicrailway #durbinandgreenbriervalleyrr #trainsfromtheair #steamtrains

Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6, leads a freight train at Hosterman, WV

Meadow River Lumber Company steam locomotive, Heisler No. 6, leads a freight train past a wetlands area at Hosterman, West Virginia during the Mountain Rail WV, Rail Heritage Photography Weekend. The event was held at the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Durbin, WV, and Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass, WV, from November 4-6th, 2022.

According to Wikipedia: The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad (reporting mark DGVR) is a heritage and freight railroad in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia. It operates the West Virginia State Rail Authority-owned Durbin Railroad and West Virginia Central Railroad (reporting mark WVC), as well as the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in Virginia.

Beginning in 2015, DGVR began operating the historic geared steam-powered Cass Scenic Railroad, which was previously operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as part of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.

WEB-05.24.19 Cass Shay #11 taking on water at Cass, WV

Gary Cassell, the engineer on Cass Scenic Railroad…

May 24, 2019 – Gary Cassell, the engineer on Cass Scenic Railroad Shay #11 waits patiently as his son Andy who is the fireman, fills the tank with water, as they prepare for their day of operation at Cass, West Virginia.

WEB-05.27.19 CSX V752 heads west with CP 8867 Leading at Thurmond, WV

Canadian Pacific 8867 pulls CSX V752-26…

May 27, 2019 – Canadian Pacific 8867 pulls CSX V752-26 empty grain train westbound away from the Depot on the New River Subdivision at Thurmond, West Virginia. The line off to the right across the bridge is the RJ Corman West Virginia Line.

According to Wikipedia, Thurmond is a town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States, on the New River. The population was five at the 2010 census. During the heyday of coal mining in the New River Gorge, Thurmond was a prosperous town with a number of businesses and facilities for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. The town was the filming location for John Sayles’ 1987 movie Matewan since it still possesses many of the characteristics of a 1920s Appalachian coal town.

Today, much of Thurmond is owned by the National Park Service for the New River Gorge National River. The C&O passenger railway depot in town was renovated in 1995 and now functions as a Park Service visitor center. The entire town is a designated historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

WEB-05.25.19 NS 217 heads West out of Roanoke, VA

A late westbound Norfolk Southern 217…

May 25, 2019 – A late westbound Norfolk Southern 217 heads west out of Roanoke, Virginia on the Christiansburg District, through the North Yard, as it passes a large string of NS locomotives. The units are being stored as part of precision scheduled railroading, being sold to short lines or other railroads although some are for rebuilds, which are mainly the standard cab SD70’s. The rest are probably destined for the scrap yard.

WEB-05.27.19 Cass Shays in the yard at Night 1, Cass, WV

Cass Scenic Railroad Shays 4, 2, and 11, sit in the yard…

March 26, 2019 – Cass Scenic Railroad Shays 4, 2, and 11, sit in the yard after a day of work at Cass, West Virginia, as lighting lights the sky from an approaching storm. Only person working this late night shift is the hostler, William H Taylor, who will keep the fires and water in the engines up to speed for another day of work. Thanks Bill for all the help in getting our night shots!!

WEB-05.27.19 CSX Coal Train meet at Thurmond, WV

CSXT 169 leads a loaded coal train eastbound at Thurmond, West Virginia…

May 27, 2019 – CSXT 169 leads a loaded coal train eastbound at Thurmond, West Virginia as a empty westbound coal waits in the siding. The line off across the bridge in front of 169 is the RJ Corman.

According to Wikipedia, Thurmond is a town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States, on the New River. The population was five at the 2010 census. During the heyday of coal mining in the New River Gorge, Thurmond was a prosperous town with a number of businesses and facilities for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. The town was the filming location for John Sayles’ 1987 movie Matewan since it still possesses many of the characteristics of a 1920s Appalachian coal town.

Today, much of Thurmond is owned by the National Park Service for the New River Gorge National River. The C&O passenger railway depot in town was renovated in 1995 and now functions as a Park Service visitor center. The entire town is a designated historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

WEB-05.27.19 Cass Shay #11 in the yard at Night 1, Cass, WV

Well, after a three day whirlwind trip…

May 28, 2019 – Well, after a three day whirlwind trip with fellow railfan Ryan Scott, of IndianaRails, to Tennessee, Virgina, West Virginia and Kentucky we both got back home last night. A big shout out to all the folks that helped us out along the way, especially Daniel Alls, Walter Scriptunas II, Jul Esp, Bryan Burton, Gavin Wilkes and all the others that responded to our posts for questions and help in the different areas we visited! Without your help and input the trip would have been a lot less successful! Got a lot of pictures to work through and many posts yet to come from this 4 day trip!

According to Wikipedia: Shay #11 was built in 1923 and went originally to Hutchinson Lumber Company, Feather Falls, California. This Shay is best known as the Feather River #3 and it’s also a class C shay, #11, weighs 103-tons. It began service at Cass in 1999.

This morning’s image was shot the night of May 26th after a spring storm made its way through the Cass Scenic Railroad area and is of Shay #11 at rest in the yard after a days work at Cass, West Virginia. Shooting at night and in the rain can be challenging, but probably the hardest part is getting out the door!

My kit bag for this type of shooting is a golf umbrella and a large microfiber cloth to dry off the camera and lens with when drops make it past the umbrella! Of course a good sturdy tripod is a must as well. I typically set the camera on manual and adjust for the specific scene, with the camera controls set to a 3 second delay before the shutter is tripped. This raises the mirror and lets things settle before taking the photo. ISO and length of exposure all depend on the lighting, but they’re set manually as well. This particular shots technical details are: Nikon D800, Sigma 24-70 lens @ 26mm, ISO 1000 (full frame cameras are great) f/8 for 30 seconds in RAW.

WEB-05.24.19 Cass Shay #2 pushes uphill, Cass, WV

Cass Scenic Railroad’s #2 Shay engine…

May 26, 2019 – Cass Scenic Railroad’s #2 Shay engine pushes hard as it moves a load of passengers up the mountain to Whittaker after passing through the grade crossing on Gum Road at Cass, West Virginia. 

The Cass Scenic Railroad is Geared Steam, USA, boasting the largest collection of operating geared steam locomotives in the world. The railroad was originally part of West Virginia Pulp & Paper’s (later Mower Lumber Company) massive timber operations centered within the small community of Cass, West Virginia, situated deep within the Appalachian Mountains

Shay No. 2 — (Mayo Lumber No. 4) – 1928; Pacific Coast Class (PC-13). Shay No. 2 was reportedly the only Pacific Coast Shay ever built as a wood-burner. The locomotive was converted to oil firing before delivery new to Mayo Lumber Co., Paldi (Vancouver Island) British Columbia as No. 4. Cass Scenic Railroad