Daryl Powell's men have been the surprise package for many this season and will face Leeds Rhinos for the trophy at Wembley on Saturday.
Castleford - also on course to reach the Super League play-offs for the first time since 2009 - have seen off the likes of Wigan Warriors and Widnes Vikings on their way to this weekend's showpiece fixture, disposing of the latter with a convincing 22-6 semi-final triumph a fortnight ago,
And Bob Beardmore, who picked up the Lance Todd Trophy for his man-of-the-match performance when Castleford last won the Challenge Cup in 1986, revealed how players from the club's past have played their part in the club's progression to the final.
"We went down before the Widnes game, some of us ex-players, and we had a good talk about what it's like to get to Wembley and to win the semi-final and what it means to the Castleford public," he told Perform.
"Daryl's done his homework. He got myself, my brother Kevin, John Joyner, Tony Marchant, Barry Johnson all from the '86 winning team, and then he had Alan Hardisty, Ian Stenton and Mick Redfearn from the '69 and '70 teams.
"The whole squad was there and we all said our bit about what it means to get the Challenge Cup final and win it, and I don't think some of the lads realised how big it is.
"Basically, if you win at Wembley, you'll never get forgotten.
"You become legends in the town because it's a small close-knit unit, a family town, and all everybody talks about is rugby league.
"They came out of the meeting and the adrenaline was absolutely buzzing, which I think showed in the Widnes game.
"They controlled the game and were always going to win it."
For all their success in recent years, Leeds have not won the Challenge Cup since 1999, and Beardmore believes the Rhinos will be desperately seeking to end a run of six final defeats this weekend.
"Leeds have got some brilliant players and they'll be going all out to win on Saturday," he said. "Whether it's a psychological thing, I don't know."
However, Beardmore is hopeful Castleford can come away with the victory on Saturday and warned that runners-up are rarely remembered, highlighting the case of the 1992 side who lost to Wigan at Wembley.
"I'd like to think Castleford are going to win," he added. "I think it will be a close game, because I don't think one team will run away with it.
"Nobody remembers losing teams. Unfortunately, Castleford got beat in 1992 after I left and nobody ever mentions that.
"They always mention the 1986, '69 and '70 finals. Hopefully in 2014 we've got a winning team and these guys will be remembered forever."