ALL ABOARD!
HIWASSEE LOOP TRAIN RIDE THROUGH TENNESSEE'S HIWASSEE RIVER GORGE
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
A 50-MILE, 4.5-HOUR SCENIC RAIL
EXPERIENCE DEPARTING FROM DELANO, TN (ETOWAH, TN)
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
CLICK TO PURCHASE!
Experience one of the most scenic train rides in the Southeast on the Hiwassee Loop, a 4.5-hour, 50-mile round-trip rail journey through the breathtaking Hiwassee River Gorge in southeastern Tennessee. This unforgettable excursion features sweeping river views, forested mountain slopes, historic bridges, and the famous Hiwassee Loop—an impressive railroad engineering achievement where the track spirals and crosses over itself near Farner, Tennessee. Departing from Delano, this relaxed daytime train ride offers comfortable, climate-controlled vintage railcars, engaging onboard narration, and ever-changing scenery that makes it a favorite for nature lovers, photographers, railfans, and guests seeking a memorable, unhurried adventure by rail.
Departing at 12:01 p.m., this continuous excursion is designed for guests who want to relax, settle in, and fully enjoy the scenery without a layover. As the train gradually climbs and descends through the gorge, you’ll experience sweeping river views, forested mountain slopes, and changing perspectives throughout the ride—many guests say the views feel different on every stretch of track.
The route follows the historic rails of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad's Atlanta Division, once connecting Etowah, Tennessee, to Marietta, Georgia. Today, this well-paced, immersive experience is known for its combination of dramatic scenery, knowledgeable onboard narration, and the chance to truly unwind while the landscape unfolds outside your window.
Midway Seating Rotation
At the midpoint of the ride, guests switch sides from the mountain side to the river side (and vice versa). This allows everyone the opportunity to enjoy all scenic views along the route.
These trips are handicap accessible. Please note special needs on order form.
PLEASE CLICK TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER
TICKETS
All classes offer seating in vintage, restored passenger cars. There are restrooms throughout the train (handicap accessible). Tickets may be ordered online only!
[IMPORTANT NOTE: THOSE ORDERING TICKETS SEPARATELY, BUT WISHING TO BE SEATED TOGETHER, MUST SPECIFY THIS ON THE ORDER FORM]
CLASSES OF SERVICE
Observation Car
Ticket price is $127 (Adults only)
Located on the ground level, the Observation Car features a rounded end with large windows designed for sightseeing.
- Seats approximately 12 guests
- Not recommended for guests with mobility limitations
- Snack box available
Observation cars were once common at the rear of passenger trains but became rare after the 1950s, making this a unique viewing experience.
Crown Class
Ticket price is $105 - Adult
$90 - Child (2-12 years)
Crown Class seating is located on the ground level of the dome car.
- Offers comfort without the need to climb stairs
- Snack box available
Coach Class
Ticket price is $95 - Adult
$75 - Child (2-12 years)
General Deluxe Coach seating is offered on this excursion, providing passengers with comfortable cushioned seats with large windows. Historic 1950's-era diesel locomotives will pull the vintage enclosed climate-controlled coaches with rest rooms in each car of the passing scenery. Experience the "glory days" of rail travel in the United States.
Your excursion train will travel through the Narrows, where the Hiwassee River flows through rock channels, and the Bald Mountain, or "Hiwassee Loop". The track actually passes over itself on a high trestle during a corkscrew climb up the mountain near Farner. Tracks along this route parallel the river for most of its length, providing views of the lower gorge. The trip is approximately 4.5 hours long.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Questions about the trip?
Please email wataugavalley@gmail.com for quicker answers if you have questions concerning this trip.
DISCLAIMER
NO REFUNDS OR VOUCHERS ISSUED ON TICKET PURCHASES. TICKETS CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER PARTY IF WE ARE NOTIFIED.
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 Delano. 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.