GSMRTuckasegee

The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Tuckasegee River Excursion PLUS Smoky Mountain Train Museum

This 4-hour, 32-mile round trip travels along the scenic Tuckasegee River, with narration about interesting and historic spots along the trip. Tuckasegee (or "daksi-yi" in Cherokee) means The Place of Turtles.

The Fugitive Movie Set

A highlight along the ride are the remains of a train engine, railcars and a bus used in the 1997 Harrison Ford movie "The Fugitive" (a special side rail track was built for the train crash scene, with the film believed to be the only movie ever featuring an actual train crash not using models).

The railroad was built by convicts working under the gun. One of the most chilling accidents during construction drowned 19 inmates in the Tuckasegee River at the mouth of the historic tunnel. Crossing the river to work, the raft carrying the iron-shackled convicts capsized and those aboard, except for guard Fleet Foster and convict Anderson Drake, died in the waters. Those who died were buried in unmarked graves on top of a small hill near the mouth of the tunnel.

At the end of the trip you arrive in the quaint village of Dillsboro for a 1 ½-hour layover for shopping and dining. This is a walking town, composed of several dozen specialty country shops, restaurants, hotels and bed and breakfasts, all located a few blocks from the train station and river.

Upgrades:

Crown Class Seating:
Relax in restored coaches dating from 1925, featuring larger windows for better viewing and climate controlled for passenger comfort. Crown Class passengers receive their own souvenir tumbler to pick up and fill with a fountain soda in the Conductor's Cafe Car.

or

First Class Seating
Champion, MacNeil, Harper & Silver Meteor Cars
Travel in comfort and style in 1940s-era bar, lounge and dining cars that feature seating at well-appointed tables and lounge/restaurant style chairs.

First Class passengers receive an all inclusive, delicious lunch served by the car's private attendant, a souvenir tumbler with a fountain soda and an exclusive souvenir gift from GSMR. These First Class Cars are climate controlled with restrooms available. Age 21 and over only.

On your return to Bryson City, spend time at the Smoky Mountain Train Museum, with its collection of 7,000 Lionel™ engines, cars and accessories, impressive operating layout, children’s activity center, and gift/toy shop. The vast collection dates back to 1918 and features such classics as the 1934 Blue Comet Passenger set and the more recent Joshua Lionel Cowen Challenger steam locomotives. The kid in you - and the kids - can push buttons and operate the trains and over 20 accessory items.

Have you ever dreamed of playing with toy trains on a huge layout with many trains running at the same time, people playing and working, a waterfall taller than you, loud whistles, flashing lights, dark tunnels and big bridges? Well, now is your chance!!

Come see the museum at Smoky Mountain Trains – you will find..

- A train layout almost as big as a basketball half court
- A scavenger hunt challenging you to find over 30 items and scenes on the layout
- Over 2,500 Lionel ™ trains on display, many older than your parents
- A store with all of your favorite train toys, books and videos

Check out also the Nantahala Gorge Excursions