Dollywood To Convert Steam Locomotives From Coal To Oil

Published: February 26, 2026

Dollywood’s most recognizable moving landmark—the Dollywood Express—will soon look and feel a little different. During the park’s 2026 season ramp-up, Dollywood confirmed it is converting its operating steam locomotives from coal-burning to oil-burning, a change the park says will help the trains run more consistently while reducing several operational headaches that have become harder to manage in modern conditions.

For generations of visitors, the Dollywood Express has been as much “atmosphere” as attraction: a deep-throated whistle echoing through the foothills, the rhythmic bark of exhaust, and—most memorably for riders—the unmistakable scent of coal smoke. But coal also comes with downsides in a theme-park setting, especially one perched in the dry, windy conditions that can develop in the Smokies. In this regard, oil-fired locomotives can reduce the wildfire risk associated with drifting embers on dry, high-risk days, and may allow the train to operate more often when conditions previously forced shutdowns.

Dollywood 2-8-2 #70, named the "Cinderella", is seen here between train rides in August, 2007. Jeremy Thompson photo.

While Dollywood has not framed the conversion as a reinvention of the ride itself—this will remain a live-steam, narrow-gauge train experience—oil firing addresses several pressure points at once:

Fewer cinders and a cleaner guest experience. Coal-fired locomotives can emit embers that drift back into open-air coaches, a long-running “authenticity vs. comfort” tradeoff that has become less acceptable over time.
Safer operation during dry or windy periods. In the broader region, wildfire awareness has increased, and the idea of operating ember-producing equipment near vegetation—especially on dry, gusty days—adds risk and scrutiny.
Operational reliability and maintenance. Oil firing can simplify firing practices, reduce ash handling, and generally lower some of the labor-intensive maintenance burdens associated with coal—key factors for a daily, high-cycle attraction.

The park has also highlighted environmental considerations—lower visible emissions and reduced particulate fallout—though Dollywood’s headline emphasis appears to be reliability and the ability to keep the train open more consistently.

The Dollywood Express: the ride that predates Dollywood

The railroad experience at the property, the "Dollywood Express," dates back to 1961, when the site opened as Rebel Railroad, long before Dolly Parton’s ownership era and decades before the park adopted the Dollywood name. Today, these excursions via a 3-foot, narrow-gauge railroad, remain a staple: a roughly 20-minute excursion that carries riders on a scenic loop through the foothills at the park’s edge, offering a “step back in time” experience that’s intentionally calmer and more panoramic than the thrill rides that now surround it. The roughly five-mile journey features pastoral scenery and mountain views—an attraction designed to be accessible to families, railfans, and first-time steam riders alike.

Locomotive Fleet

Dollywood’s operating power is famously distinctive because it’s not “theme-park replicas.” The park’s headline locomotives are authentic, narrow-gauge steam engines with real railroad pedigrees—both tied to the storied White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR) of Alaska and the Yukon.

No. 70 (“Cinderella”)

Built by Baldwin in 1938, No. 70 is a 2-8-2 narrow-gauge Mikado that worked on the White Pass & Yukon Route before beginning its second life in the Smokies.

No. 192 (“Klondike Katie”)

No. 192, also a Baldwin-built 2-8-2, traces its origins to World War II-era needs; it is widely documented as a U.S. Army Transportation Corps S118 class locomotive later associated with WP&YR operations and preservation.

A railroad with a “two lives” story: from the Klondike to the Smokies

Part of what makes Dollywood’s railroad attraction unusual is that it’s rooted in real North American railroad history, not just amusement-park storytelling.

The White Pass & Yukon Route—famous for its steep grades, dramatic scenery, and Klondike-era legacy—helped define the locomotives’ early working careers. Those Alaskan/Yukon roots remain a favorite talking point for Dollywood fans and a key reason rail enthusiasts regard the Dollywood Express as more than a simple park train.

In the theme-park world, the railroad’s timeline mirrors the property’s evolution: Rebel Railroad (1961), later rebranded as Gold Rush Junction, then Silver Dollar City Tennessee, and finally Dollywood after Dolly Parton became involved in 1986. Across those transitions, the train remained the constant.

What changes for riders—and what doesn’t

For guests, the conversion is likely to be most noticeable in what’s missing: less coal smoke, fewer soot particles, and—if Dollywood’s stated goals hold—fewer days where the attraction is closed due to conditions or maintenance constraints. What should remain intact is the core appeal: a live-steam locomotive pulling open-air coaches through a wooded, scenic loop—still whistle-and-steam, still a signature “Smokies” experience, and still one of the park’s most photographed attractions.

For purists, coal firing carries romance: the sensory authenticity of a traditional fire, the smell, and the visual character of a hard-working steam engine. But in 2026, Dollywood is betting that most visitors will prefer a cleaner, more comfortable ride—especially one that’s open more often—while keeping the unmistakable presence of a real steam locomotive at the heart of the park. To learn more about these train rides please click here to visit the park's website.

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Dollywood To Convert Steam Locomotives From Coal To Oil

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The Dollywood Express: the ride that predates Dollywood

Locomotive Fleet

A railroad with a “two lives” story: from the Klondike to the Smokies

What changes for riders—and what doesn’t