After going through two switchbacks, the train stopped at Whitaker Station for a short break then headed back up the mountain.
We stopped at Bald Knob for about a half hour and took in the scenic views of the surrounding mountains, then the train headed back down.
It was a very enjoyable train ride with wonderful views.
The weather was fantastic and I think we had the perfect weekend for this trip.
My only complaint about the train ride is the coal smoke. The steam engines are originals from when Cass was a mill town, and the coal-powered engines produced a lot of smoke.
The engine pushes the train uphill, so the smoke was downwind of the train going up, but the opposite going down, so there was a lot of smoke and embers, particularly on the way down. My eyes are still a little red and I've been coughing up ash since I've been back. If I rode the train again, I think I would try to get a seat in the last car, furthest away from the engines.
No comments:
Post a Comment