There’s something about eating a meal in a place where time moves differently. At Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, tucked into the mountain heart of West Virginia, that feeling is impossible to miss — and Shays Restaurant is right at the center of it.
Where History Meets Hospitality
Named after the iconic Shay steam locomotives that have been hauling passengers into the deep forests since 1905, Shays Restaurant is the natural start and end point of any visit to Cass. Before your train pulls away in a cloud of black coal smoke and a long, clear whistle, you can sit down to a proper meal and take in the atmosphere of a place that hasn’t forgotten where it came from.
And when you return from the mountains — whether from Whittaker Station or all the way up to the summit of Bald Knob — there’s no better way to close the day than settling back in over food and good company.
The Experience
Step off the main road and into the park, and the ordinary world starts to recede. The air smells different here. The sounds are different. Youth who have never laid eyes on a working steam locomotive literally stop in their tracks. Adults find themselves slipping into memory, reminded of an era of American railroading that feels both distant and, here, remarkably alive.
Shays Restaurant fits naturally into that mood. It’s not a destination trying to impress you with flourish. It’s a gathering place — warm, unhurried, and genuinely tied to the landscape around it.
Hours of Operation — Summer 2025
Plan your visit around these operating hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Wednesday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
It’s always worth calling ahead, especially if you’re visiting outside peak season, as hours can change.
Before You Go
A few things to keep in mind when planning your visit:
Arrive early on busy weekends. The restaurant fills up around train departure times, particularly in summer. If you want a relaxed meal before boarding, give yourself plenty of time.
Pair the meal with a train excursion. The ride into the mountains is the main event, and eating at Shays before or after makes the whole day feel complete. It’s one of those experiences that stays with you.
Cass is a small, remote mountain community, so stock up on anything you need before heading further into the backcountry.