It's fun to be a tourist in your own state, and what better way to enjoy the history, some picturesque scenery, and a lovely day than with an open-air train ride through the mountains? You don't need to be a rail fan to appreciate all that this 22-mile journey on the rails has to offer, either. Up in the mountains of West Virginia lies Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, a place where visitors can take a step back in time aboard a restored, steam-powered locomotive.

Originally built to transport logs to a West Virginia lumber mill, the Cass Scenic Railroad has been transformed into one of the most scenic, historic, and interesting passenger trains in the country. Trips depart from the town of Cass and take visitors to Whittaker Station (a two-hour ride) or all the way to Bald Knob (a four-and-a-half-hour adventure). We're partial to this excursion; featuring a unique ecosystem that's more similar to what you might expect to find in Canada than West Virginia, Bald Knob rises high above all but one of West Virginia's myriad mountain peaks. The train climbs an impressive 2,290 feet from the Cass Depot to the top of Bald Knob, and is easily one of the best scenic train rides in West Virginia - and the entire country! As you'll see from these Cass Scenic Railroad State Park photos, it's a lovely journey.

Firstly, there are several train rides you can take from Cass, West Virginia. So if you're buying tickets for this one, it's called the Cass Scenic Bald Knob Trip.

This 4.5-hour train ride is powered by a historic Shay steam locomotive, precisely like the ones that first pulled the trains on this same railroad to the logging operation on the mountain in the early 1900s. (For rail fans, Cass has the largest collection of working Shay locomotives in the world.)

The open-air cars on this ride were once used to haul the logs up the mountain.

Now it carries entire families up to Bald Knob for a journey filled with memories to last a lifetime. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Mountain State on this 4.5-hour round-trip journey that includes a hobo lunch for everyone once you reach the top of the Bald Knob.

From the top of Bald Knob, you'll have a picturesque view of two states, and the rolling hills in the valley immediately below. The train also makes a stop at Whittaker Station, where you'll get off to explore and stretch your legs for a bit.

There are many rides to choose from at Cass Scenic Railroad; however, the Bald Knob trip is only offered seasonally from May through the last week in October.

How long has it been since you took a ride at Cass? Maybe it's time to rekindle the magic.

The train leaves from the historic Cass Depot in Cass, WV.

Looking for even more travel inspiration? Check out this beautiful drone footage:

Please note: the above excursion is a seasonal offering that you can check out between May and November. So put it on your radar as a fun thing to do during those warmer months!

The Cass Depot is located at 242 Main St., Cass, West Virginia, 24927. To see a full schedule of dates and times, refer to the official Cass Scenic Railroad tickets website. Rates vary by age of passenger, day of the week, and season.

Have you been on the Cass Railroad? What was your favorite part about it? Let us know in the comments! You may want to arrive early enough to enjoy a stroll through this historic community and then have a late breakfast or an early lunch at The Last Run Restaurant. Check out some unique places to stay in Cass, West Virginia while you're at it!