Ride the Rails of Cass Scenic Railroad
Cass , WV
Touring Hollywood ’ s Take on a Historic Tragedy
Photo by White Star Tours .
Photo by Huntington Area CVB .
Take an all-day excursion aboard a vintage steam locomotive . The Cass Scenic Railroad will take visitors climbing the Allegheny Mountain to Bald Knob for a spectacular view of the valley below . The trip includes an evening of entertainment , beautiful views of the cascading Blackwater Falls and an expedition deep into the Seneca Caverns to complete this unique stay in the Appalachian Mountains .
Oglebay Park ’ s Festival of Lights
Wheeling , WV
The “ We Are Marshall ” motor coach tour is an opportunity to experience a historic tragedy and Hollywood ’ s take on the story that shaped a city and university .
In 1970 , the majority of the Marshall University football team , along with coaches and supporters , lost their lives in a horrific plane crash . The story of how the school and community rebuilt themselves was told in the movie “ We Are Marshall ,” released in 2006 .
“ The tour is offered through the Huntington Area Convention & Visitor ’ s Bureau ( CVB ). There is a complimentary step-on guide who boards the motor coach with the visiting group and takes them on the tour . We encourage the group to watch the movie on their way to Huntington , but it is not mandatory ,” says Anna Adkins , sales manager of the Huntington Area CVB .
The tour begins when the guide is picked up from the visitor ’ s center and tells the group a little bit about the city of Huntington , as the motor coach heads toward Marshall University .
Photo by White Star Tours .
One of the nation ’ s largest holiday light shows , Oglebay Park shines brightly with over 500,000 lights and more than 300 acres of displays . The festival includes a laser light show , model train exhibit , gingerbread houses and miniature holiday village . After the tour , a dinner show with great food and a lot of holiday music are sure to get you in the Christmas spirit .
“ The group is dropped off at the Memorial Student Center to see the fountain and hear about the crash , the movie and the community ,” Adkins says . “ They are given the chance to shop in the Marshall University bookstore for memorabilia if they are interested . Once back on the motor coach , we take them past the Joan C . Edwards Stadium and the Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex since Marshall won the NCAA National Championship in 2020 . If time permits , we continue to the Spring Hill Cemetery Memorial where the six unidentified players are laid to rest , then return to the visitor ' s center .”
To see where the movie was filmed , visit pertinent locations and honor those lost at the Memorial Fountain , learn more at visithuntingtonwv . org / company / we-are-marshall-tour-3 /.
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