We  love questions and even more, we love answers. Many people send questions on West Virginia logging history to us. And, if MSR&LHA members have some appropriate information available, they are happy to try to help. But often answers are bits and pieces from a wide range of sources requiring considerable research to tie it all together - well beyond the services MSR&LHA, a volunteer, hobby organization, can provide.  Here are a few commonly asked questions and answers.  If you still need information please feel free to contact the Association at info@msrlha.org.

How do I get more information about the Cass Scenic Railroad?
 
What magazines / books can I turn look at to get more information about Cass?

I'm looking for historical information about a West Virginia Railroad.  Can you help?
 
I'm looking for my ancestors.  Can you help?
 
Where can I get back issues of The Log Train?

Can I donate old articles, photographs, or artifacts to MSR&LHA?

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How do I get more information about the Cass Scenic Railroad?

If you require any assistance in lodging, scheduling or any other Cass Scenic Railroad State Park related question you might want to check the Park's Web site at www.cassrailroad.com or call 1-800-CALL-WVA (toll-free) and the staff will be more than happy to help you. Lodging is provided in the park, as well as close by.

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What magazines / books can I turn look at to get more information about Cass?

• The Log Train is the Association's quarterly journal.  It has been published since 1982 and contains articles relating to West Virginia's , has been publishing articles of historical interest since 1982.
• Tumult on the Mountains - the classic reference book on West Virginia logging by Roy B. Clarkson; many pictures. (McClain Printing Co., Parsons, WV, 410 pages, 1964).
• On Beyond Leatherbark - a detailed history of the lumber town of Cass, by Cass native, Roy B. Clarkson; extensive picture collection. (McClain Printing Co., Parsons, WV, 625 pages, 1990).
• West Virginia Logging Railroads - a well-illustrated history of the companies that operated into the 1950's and 1960's, by William E. Warden. (TLC Publishing, Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 108 pages, 1994).  Currently out of print.
• 100 Years Against the Mountain -- Shay No. 5 at Cass, WV - Information about Cass Railroad’s Shay 5 and its century at Cass, Gerald Futej (Greenhill Station Productions, NJ, 72 pgs, 2005).
• Essential Cass - a small booklet that is an excellent introduction to Cass, by Phil Bagdon. (Out of print, but available from the MSR&LHA Company Store, 23 pgs, 1997).
• 100 Years and Still Counting -- The Town of Cass, WV - Photos and text showing the history of the town of Cass.  (Greenhill Station Productions, 100 pgs, 2007)
• Shay Logging Locomotives at Cass - text & photos describing equipment at Cass prior to it becoming a state park, by Phil Bagdon. (TLC Publishing, Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 112 pgs, 2001).
• The Cass Roster - A very comprehensive listing of the history of all railroad equipment at Cass since it became a state park in 1962.  Produced by Phil Bagdon in 2002.  Available on this Web site: click here for locomotive information and here for other rolling stock.
• Transforming the Appalachian Countryside - A scholarly book about the political, social, and economic impact of West Virginia logging and deforestation from 1880-1920, by Ronald L. Lewis.  (University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill , NC, 348 pgs, 1998).  Not available from the MSR&LHA Company Store.

The above publications are available from the MSR&LHA Company Store except as noted.
 

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I'm looking for historical information about a West Virginia Railroad.  Can you help?

Have you tried searching the Internet?  A Google or other search will often point you to useful information.  You might try entering the name of your railroad as a quoted name to help narrow the search. For example, "West Virginia Northern Railroad" with the name in quotes will search only for those consecutive words.  A recent search returned 1.4 million hits without the quotes and only 425 with them.  (Use the "advanced" option in Google, Yahoo, or Bing for other search options).

Google has scanned many out-of-copyright books and made their text available on the Web.  Some of these books contain information about railroads in West Virginia and a Google search should return links to these references.

Other sources of material are books about the history of the counties where your railroad is located.  These may be hard to find except at libraries in the county.  Some county historical societies may have useful information in their archives.  See the link in the next FAQ for a list of West Virginia's historical societies.

The old U.S. Geologic Survey topographic maps often show the routes of rail lines that existed when the maps were produced.  Most of the 15-minute series of topo maps were produced between 1910 and 1940.  They are long out of print, but they, and other historical maps, are available on the mytopo.com Web site here.

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I'm looking for my ancestors.  Can you help?

I am afraid, that we can`t be of any help to you. You might want to check the magazines and books related to Cass listed in another FAQ here, but we do not keep a people-databank.

The West Virginia University in Morgantown has a comprehensive Regional History Collection which includes the following:
    -- a guide to genealogical research.
    -- a guide to archives and manuscripts.
    -- an exhaustive West Virginia history guide by county and subject
    -- the largest collection of historical West Virginia newspapers in existence
    -- an extensive photo archive
    -- public records (county courts)

The West Virginia Archives, located in Charleston, has an extensive collection of material for use by genealogical researchers.  More information about the Archives resources is available here.

We also recommend you contact the historical society of the specific county where your ancestors lived. A listing may be found at www.daddezio.com/society/hill/SH-WV-NDX.html.

Also, if you find information of interest, remember that submissions, even just a few paragraphs, to our journal, The Log Train, are always welcome.
  

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Where can I get copies of The Log Train?

You can order printed copies of back issues of The Log Train from the MSR&LHA Company Store. The Store page also includes a brief summary of the contents of each issue.  The Log Train is included when you become a MSR&LHA member.

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Can I donate old written material, photographs, or artifacts to MSR&LHA?

Submissions of appropriate written materials and photographs are welcome and they will be considered for publication in The Log Train.  The Association cooperates with the West Virginia Division of Culture and History in Charleston to maintain the MSR&LHA Collection of significant items of all kinds relating to West Virginia's lumbering and logging railroad history under archival conditions.  Donations to this collection are welcome.  The Association does not have its own separate facilities to store or maintain most artifacts, but we are more than happy to document appropriate donations and if necessary, to assist with transferring them into the State Archive or other appropriate repository.  If you have questions about donating items please contact us at info@msrlha.org.