Smoky Mountain Trains Museum In North Carolina

I went there and I think it was two years ago. Nice place to visit and at that time you could rake a train ride (for a fee of course)  I would try calling them during the daytime hours and see if they are open,

It's really in a neat city, and the fall Season would be a great time to visit. It's not far from Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Great Smokey Mountains...

The O-Scale three rail layout is 25 ft, by 50 ft. It has several main lines, a Mountain, Large Trestle, and on the end by the control Panel, an AAA Turntable which is fully Operational and fun to watch...The layout is cased in Oak...Wow.

Their are Real Trains to ride to... It's a very nice place for a family Vacation.

Thanks for the topic. Leapin Larry

This is not my video, but this person just visited the layout recently.  I was there 2 years ago and it was a very nice layout and also nice collection of O'Gauge Trains.  There is admission fee to see the layout.  I did not ride the train because of limited time, but it is about 3 hour ride that takes you through parts of the Smokey Mnts.  One day I would like to go back and take the train ride. 

I have not been there in years but according to the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad website they appear to be open (hours shown):

http://www.gsmr.com/explore/sm...-museum#.U-l5NfldW6U

And, if you purchase a train ride on GSMR entry to the museum is free.

We've done the regular train rides in the past, Thomas (when our son was younger), and the "old" dinner Polar Express (which was awesome).  Not to mention I seem to recall seeing their brochure at a rest stop off 421 in northwestern NC just a couple weeks ago.  So not exactly a definitive I was there yesterday but everything still seems to point to them being open.  

When they stopped running trains from Dillsboro, NC it kind of spoiled it for myself/wife because my wife went for the shops while I was in it for the trains.  Yes, you can take the train from Bryson to Dillsboro but you only have 1 1/2 hours to shop, not enough time for my wife.  

- Jeff

The Great Smokey Mountain Railroad museum is still open. They have at least two layouts that operate, one where you press a button and operate some things the other runs continuous. I was there last Wednesday. The gift shop no longer carries any Lionel items, just some toy train items and gift shop stuff like coffee mugs. Also rode the train on Thursday morning.

Buy a train ride ticket and admission to the train museum is included, otherwise it is $7.00.

Also stopped by the railroad museum at Tullula Falls, above Athens GA on 441.

I might post some photos of my trip soon as I get the camera downloaded to a disk.

Lee Fritz

My wife and I went on the train ride with the meal. The train collection and layout was very nice. The prim rib dinner was excellent also. There was a stop where there was rafting and all kinds of activities. It's been a while so I can't remember all of it. I will say is was very enjoyable. I would do it again.

Larry

I mentioned this in another thread once, but there is a huge layout called the Misty Mountain Railroad in Blairsville, GA not far from Tallulah Gorge. It's worth a visit. Call ahead to find out about tour times. He offers tours and fires up everything when a tour comes through. Impressive layout. 

Misty Mountain Railroad is usually open on saturdays, but not all saturdays. Like Gary says "call ahead."

I went by last year on my way back from a train ride in northern Georgia not far from Delonaga GA, but missed it because I was too late and was not going to wait a week to go back.

Lee Fritz