Climax! At a speed that is probably best described as "stately", the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley's "Durbin Rocket" rounds a sweeping curve on its northbound journey under a threatening sky. The ride today is just a little more "stately" than normal because the consist includes 3 freight cars, in addition to the rider gondola, RPO, open excursion car and caboose that normally make up the tourist train. For the annual Cass Railfan Weekend, the railroad folks added the extra rolling stock and performed several photo run-bys so that patrons could photograph this Climax Engine....the rarest type of geared steam engine....in its natural habitat. The combination of the extra cars, a distinct uphill grade, and a few scattered rain showers made getting this train moving a real challenge for the crew. Fortunately, the man at the throttle this day was no neophyte. He was none other than the legendary Earl Knoob, who knows a thing or two about dealing with heavy trains, steep grades and wet rails!
Scenes depicting steam operations on the old C&O Greenbrier Division between Cass and Durbin, WV, featuring Moore-Keppel Climax #3 and Meadow River Heisler #6.
As the years go by, more and more steam engines are being restored and operating therefore the old expression "steam is dead" is nothing but a false expression. Steam is strong and still ruling the rails.
