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North Carolina Train Rides And Excursion Trains

North Carolina train rides have a lot to offer even though it seems that the state is sometimes forgotten or not known for its tourist railroads. Two of the country's more popular such operations are located in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, to the state's west, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and Tweetsie Railroad. Both own or operate steam locomotives and part of their popularity is due to their mountainous location. If you enjoy steam you can also catch it in action at the North Carolina Transportation Museum and the New Hope Valley Railway located in the state's Piedmont region. Finally, there is the Charlotte Trolley, which operates historic trolley cars for visitors and tourists (you can also catch the city's new "Lynx" light rail transit system). If you might be interested in visiting one of the state's railroad museums please click here.

The Tar Heel State has a history with trains that dates back to the 1830s and during the industry's heyday featured everything from coal branch operations in the mountains (notably the Clinchfield Railroad) to coastal operations to the east between Elizabeth City and the port city of Wilmington. While all of North Carolina's excursion trains are worth seeing if there was one tourist railroad in particular you should visit it would be the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad (GMSR). The railroad not only offer great scenery but guests also have the option of choosing between several different excursions and packages, all in climate-controlled and matching cars (their equipment is painted in a beautiful dark maroon and yellow/orange livery. In any event, to learn about all North Carolina train rides please read the information below highlighting each operation.

Finally, if you may be looking for a place to stay in Charlotte, NC (such as if you are planning a visit to the Charlotte Trolley or North Carolina Transportation Museum) please visit the aforementioned link, which will take to you HotelTravel.com a leading discount hotel accommodation website.

North Carolina Train Rides And Excursion Trains

Charlotte Trolley

The Charlotte Trolley looks to preserve the history of Charlotte's former interurban operations. The trolley operates on the weekend, Saturday and Sunday, and current has two cars operational. For information about visiting the trolley please click here.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad based in Bryson City has been in operation since 1988 and uses tracks once owned by the venerable Southern Railway, which the company called its Murphy Branch. You can a train throughout the year although they also offer special events and trains as well, such as Thomas The Train and holiday festivities. The railroad is covered in more detail at the site . Also, for information about visiting the railroad please click here.

New Hope Valley Railway

The New Hope Valley Railway based in New Hill, North Carolina operates on trackage originally built by the New Hope Valley Railroad, later part of the Seaboard Air Line system. They currently have a multitude of various diesel locomotive switchers they use to power their trains along with one operable 0-4-0T steam locomotive. For information about visiting the railroad please click here.

North Carolina Transportation Museum

The North Carolina Transportation Museum, located in Spencer, NC, is situated on the former Southern Railway’s largest steam locomotive repair shops. Today the museum sees tens of thousands annually and is housed in three of the former shop buildings (currently); the Bob Julian Roundhouse, the Flue Shop, and the Master Mechanics Shop. As part of the museum they operate excursion trains on the museum grounds and is one of just two locations in the United States to feature the live steam locomotive version of Thomas the tank engine. For information about visiting the railroad please click here.

Tweetsie Railroad

The Tweetsie Railroad, based in Blowing Rock, North Carolina has been operating since 1957 and uses tracks once owned by the historic East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad. Today, they use three miles of narrow-gauge most often employing their, 4-6-0 "Ten wheeler", #12 to pull excursions. A further history of the railroad can be found here at the site. Also, for information about visiting the railroad please click here.

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Tourist Railroads Section

To read more about a general history of North Carolina railroads please click here. Also, for more information about North Carolina train rides you might want to consider the book Tourist Trains Guidebook, which is put together by the editors of Kalmbach Publishing's Trains magazine. The guide below is the latest, released in just April, 2011 that now includes more than 470 museums and tourist trains (it also lists all of Alabama's rail museums). In any event, if you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit the link below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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