As the Cass Scenic Railroad train neared the Bald Knob station Friday, two passenger cars came off the track, halting the trip.
Trainmaster Fred Bartels said the incident was a small hiccup and didnﾒt cause any damage or injuries.

ﾓThe back wheels of one car and front wheels of the second were pulled off the track, but because the train goes eight miles an hour, nobody was hurt,ﾔ he said. ﾓThe conductor stopped the train almost instantly after the derailment.ﾔ

Bartels said the train stopped at Whittaker Station, where he talked to the passengers, and then returned to the depot safely.

ﾓEveryone was very understanding and complimentary of the crew and how they handled the situation,ﾔ he said.

The 177 passengers were refunded their money and given complimentary passes to return for a train ride.

Bartels said a derailment is very uncommon, but that anything can happen.

ﾓWe inspected the track and equipment and everything is fine,ﾔ he said. ﾓThe runs on Saturday and Sunday went fine.ﾔ

In the history of Cass train runs, Bartels could only recall two other derailments.

ﾓBack when there were tracks to Marlinton, we took the train down for Pioneer Days,ﾔ he recalled. ﾓOne year, the train was coming back and a car came off the track. That was back in the late 1970s or early 1980s. There was one other time when a car came off the track near the Cass shop.ﾔ