ALL ABOARD!
Autumn Train Excursion through
the Great Smoky Mountains!
Saturday, September 26, 2026
ENJOY A TRAIN RIDE THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL SMOKY MOUNTAINS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FALL SEASON!
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
CLICK TO PURCHASE!
On Saturday, September 26, 2026, the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum will sponsor a Fall Season Train Excursion – a seasonal ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad through the majestic mountains and beautiful countryside of western North Carolina from Bryson City, NC, to the Nantahala Gorge, NC, and back to Bryson City.
The track follows the route of the former Southern Railway's "Murphy Branch Line" from Bryson City, NC, to the Nantahala Outdoor Recreation Center. The line was established in 1891, with a maximum 5.8 percent grade and many bridges. Much of the route hugs the banks of the Little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers and crosses Fontana Lake on a trestle standing 100 feet above the lake with a span of 780 feet.
Located 10 miles from the famous Cherokee Indian Reservation, Bryson City is a laid-back, non-touristy, easily stroll-able town of 1,300 with many shops, a surprising variety of restaurants, and more stop signs than stoplights. There are local bookstores and arts and crafts galleries with working artisans, a bike shop, two fly fishing shops, a historical museum, a fly-fishing museum, an aquarium, a scenic train, and two breweries. All excursion ticket holders receive complimentary admission to the Smoky Mountain Lionel Train Museum, which boasts a collection of 7,000 Lionel engines, cars and accessories, an impressive operating layout, and a children's activity center.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad has become a favorite of film producers over the years. The railroad was used in the filming of the 1996 comedy, My Fellow Americans, starring Jack Lemmon and James Garner, when they stumble onto a charter train full of UNC-Chapel Hill fans headed for the NCAA Final Four. Train scenes in the 1998 movie, Forces of Nature, starring Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock, also were filmed on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.
Our scenic rail excursion covers a lot of the current operating trackage of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The track follows the route of the former Southern Railway's "Murphy Branch Line". The line was established in 1891, with a maximum 5.8 percent grade and many bridges. From Bryson City we rise to Fontana Lake as we follow the Little Tennessee River and cross the Fontana Lake Trestle. We pass the Nantahala Outdoor Center, and enter the breathtaking Nantahala Gorge, following the shoreline of the exciting Nantahala River. At the end of the gorge, we trace the tracks back to Bryson City, stopping for a short break at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
Patrons have two options for getting to the train station: drive directly to Bryson City, NC, or ride a motor coach from Johnson City, TN, to Bryson City for an additional $25 per passenger. Depending on your location, driving to Bryson City may be more convenient and economical. Please make your selection on the order form when purchasing your tickets.
Lodging information, pick-up instructions, and parking locations for both options will be included with your confirmation form. Parking is free.
Click Below to Watch Sample Footage of Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum Excursions
These trips are handicap accessible.
Please note special needs on the order form.
PLEASE CLICK TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER
TICKETS
Tickets and pre-purchased meals may be ordered online only.
There is no charge for children under 2 years of age who do not require a seat.
All classes offer seating in vintage, restored passenger cars. There are restrooms located throughout the train.
[IMPORTANT NOTE: PASSENGERS ORDERING TICKETS SEPARATELY, BUT WHO WISH TO BE SEATED TOGETHER, MUST SPECIFY THIS ON EACH ORDER FORM]
FIRST CLASS
Ticket price is $165/adult [ADULTS 21 AND OVER ONLY]
FIRST CLASS passengers will enjoy club car (lounge car) seating in climate-controlled comfort, where large windows provide wonderful viewing [windows do not open]. A FIRST CLASS ticket includes a meal with drink and dessert.
FIRST CLASS ENTREE OPTIONS: [make selection on Order Form]
Roast Beef Lunch – Slow-cooked top sirloin placed on top of red-skinned garlic mashed potatoes and covered in red wine gravy. Includes a vegetable medley of green beans and carrots, a dinner roll, and butter. Can be gluten-free without gravy and roll. Gravy contains soybean products.
Grilled Chicken Lunch – 6 oz. grilled chicken breast served with red-skinned garlic mashed potatoes and topped with a roasted chicken demi-glace. Includes a vegetable medley of green beans and carrots, a dinner roll, and butter. Meal is gluten-free without roll. Chicken contains soybean oil.
Southern Style Pork Loin Lunch – Slow-cooked pork loin layered over red-skinned garlic mashed potatoes and drizzled with a sweet and savory southern house-made barbecue sauce. Includes a vegetable medley of green beans and carrots, a dinner roll, and butter. Meal is gluten-free without roll and does not contain soybean products.
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad – 6 oz. grilled chicken breast atop crisp romaine lettuce, shaved Parmesan cheese, and garlic croutons. Served with dressing, roll, and butter on the side. Can be gluten-free without croutons. Chicken and dressing contain soybean products.
Grilled Portobellos and Eggplant Lunch – Grilled portobello and eggplant over a blend of quinoa, garbanzo, and edamame grains. Includes a vegetable medley of green beans and carrots, a dinner roll, and butter. Can be gluten-free without roll and vegan without butter. Grains contain soybean products.
Grilled Chicken Lunch
Southern Style Pork Loin Lunch
Roast Beef Lunch
Grilled Portobellos and Eggplant Lunch
Your Choice Included with First Class Ticket Purchase!
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
PREMIUM OPEN AIR
Ticket price is $165
PREMIUM OPEN AIR GONDOLA features dining seating with unobstructed views, half-height walls, and a roof above to protect passengers from the elements. Each PREMIUM OPEN AIR ticket includes a meal.
PREMIUM OPEN AIR MEAL OPTIONS: [make selection on Order Form]
Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich
Hy-Rail Vegetarian Wrap
CROWN CLASS
Ticket price is $120/adult and $87/child [2 -12]
CROWN CLASS cars offer climate control for passenger comfort and large windows for great viewing [windows do not open].
COACH-PLUS CLASS
Ticket price is $105/adult and $76/child [2-12]
COACH-PLUS CLASS cars feature ceiling fans and windows that open and close for fresh-air viewing.
OPEN AIR COACH CLASS
Ticket price is $105/adult and $76/child [2-12]
OPEN COACH CLASS is great for taking pictures and seeing the beautiful scenery.
Boxed Lunches - $16.00
Packaged picnic-style, boxed, and ready to enjoy on the train. Pick up your boxed lunches on the deck at the depot before the train departs. NOTE: Boxed lunches must be pre-purchased.
BOX LUNCH OPTIONS: [make selection on Order Form]
Ham Sandwich. Thinly sliced smoked ham with cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato on brioche bread. Includes sea salt kettle chips, a chocolate chip cookie, mustard and mayo packets, a napkin, and a 16.9 oz. bottle of water. Does not contain soybean products. Can be gluten-free with a tortilla substitution.
Turkey Sandwich. Roasted turkey breast with cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato on brioche bread. Includes sea salt kettle chips, a chocolate chip cookie, mustard and mayo packets, a napkin, and a 16.9 oz. bottle of water. Does not contain soybean products. Can be gluten-free with a tortilla substitution.
Vegetarian Wrap. Sun-dried tomato tortilla filled with black bean hummus, spring mix, carrots, broccoli, tomato, and red onion. Includes sea salt kettle chips, a chocolate chip cookie, a napkin, and a 16.9 oz. bottle of water. Does not contain soybean products. A gluten-free tortilla may be requested.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. Strawberry-flavored Smucker's Uncrustables® served with sea salt kettle chips, a chocolate chip cookie, and a 16.9 oz. bottle of water. Peanut allergy warning.
Ham Sandwich
Turkey Sandwich
Boxed lunch presentation
Vegetarian Wrap
Available for
Pre-Purchase
$16.00
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
CONCESSIONS CAR – sandwiches, drinks, chips, etc., will be available for purchase on the train.
A small cooler is acceptable if you wish to bring food with you on the train.
For more information, please email wataugavalley@gmail.com.
DISCLAIMER
NO REFUNDS ON TICKET PURCHASES
FOR YOUR SAFETY:
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, in accordance with federal, state, and local government guidelines is safely operating all Passenger Scenic Rail Excursions departing from Bryson City.
Some Safety Rules:
Our train is a SMOKING/VAPOR-FREE train, which means, nowhere on the train, at all, is there a place to smoke/vapor. Once you board the train, you will not be able to smoke again to the end of the train trip back in Bryson City. Please do NOT wear any high heel, or open-toe shoes on board the train. When the train moves, high heel shoes may cause someone to lose their balance and open-toe shoes are unsafe to wear on the train due to gaps between railroad cars. Appropriate clothing is strongly suggested. Safety is our number-one concern.
Disclaimer:
**This trip will be handicap accessible. On-board restrooms may not accommodate all passengers. We will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate differently abled passengers who desire to ride this train. Please email us with your request if needed.
The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and its representatives act only as agents for the passengers with respect to rail transportation, food service, and other services offered, and as such hold themselves free of any liability for any injury, delay, loss, equipment failure, substitution, or damage from any cause whatsoever. This includes schedule changes due to weather problems or any other factor. Railroad equipment may be substituted at anytime for some unforeseen reason.
The sponsoring organization is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and is operating the train trip to help fund restoration of railroad equipment, maintain its museum, and associated railroad historical projects. No part of the ticket cost is tax deductible. No refunds are allowed, but we will attempt to connect you with someone on the waiting list wanting to purchase tickets.