West Virginia Rails - The Durbin Rocket

Durbin, West Virginia is located some 40 miles south of Elkins, and is home to one of the five different excursions operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The Durbin Rocket runs from the station in downtown, across the Greenbrier River and through some of West Virginia's scenic mountains and valleys before making a short pause at a small camp sight, where a refurbished caboose is located. Powering this excursion is one of three remaining, operational, Climax steam locomotives. The 55-ton behemoth was constructed in 1910 for the Moore-Keppel Lumber Co. in nearby Randolph County, WV. These types of locomotives use a gearing system in which the two steam cylinders are attached to a transmission located under the center of the boiler which transmits power to drive shafts running to the front and rear trucks. The 'Climax Manufacturing Company' (later renamed to the 'Climax Locomotive Works' in Corry, Pennsylvania from 1888 to 1928 built all Climax locomotives, of which roughly 1000 and 1100 were built. So sit back and enjoy the sounds of this unique locomotive working its way through some of West Virginia's best sights!

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