I like to take vintage train rides when I get a chance and my sister said she took a nice train ride while visiting Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. I’ve searched but the only one I can locate is actually part of Dollywood. Known as the Dollywood Express, an authentic 110 ton coal fired steam engine travels 5 miles through the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains.
The other train ride I found That actually ventures into the Great Smokey Mountains is a North Carolina train. The Great Smokey Mountain Railroad chugs out of Bryson City, NC. There are several trains but the one that caught my eye is the Nantahala River Gorge Excursion. ” Take a ride along side the beautiful Nantahala River on our Nantahala Gorge Excursion! Departing from Bryson City, this four-and-a-half hour excursion carries you 44 miles to the Nantahala Gorge and back again arriving at our Bryson City depot. “
Too bad I won’t be in North Carolina this trip.
I checked out Chattanooga too. It’s about 2- 2 1/2 hours from Gatlinburg but even though it’s famous for the Chattanooga Choo Choo there’s no train ride here. Train history is preserved and you can arrange to stay overnight in a real vintage sleeping car but sadly, no click clack train ride.
So unless someone knows of another scenic/ vintage train ride in the Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg area of the Great Smokey Mountains I think I’ll be limited to the 5 mile adventure on the Dollywood Express.
Any thoughts? Suggestions?