David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in North Carolina

In 2010 I made a road trip to a TimeShare unit in South Carolina. During my week there I drove to Bryson City, North Carolina to ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. On the return trip the train stopped at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, a hub of water sports activity.

In Bryson City

DSC_6349 by David Casteel, on Flickr (the Train Depot)

DSC_6141 by David Casteel, on Flickr (view of train forward)


DSC_6140 by David Casteel, on Flickr (boarding process)

On the train
DSC_6146 by David Casteel, on Flickr (the car I rode in)


DSC_6155 by David Casteel, on Flickr (my assigned table)


DSC_6153 by David Casteel, on Flickr (now under way)


DSC_6156 by David Casteel, on Flickr (first view of the Nantahala River)


DSC_6162 by David Casteel, on Flickr (houseboat on the river)


DSC_6184 by David Casteel, on Flickr (rough water)


DSC_6188 by David Casteel, on Flickr (old rock mine)


DSC_6197 by David Casteel, on Flickr (rafters in rough water)

Nantahala Outdoor Center

DSC_6233 by David Casteel, on Flickr (general view)


DSC_6259 by David Casteel, on Flickr (kids playing on the rocks)


DSC_6256 by David Casteel, on Flickr (lots to do here)

Back on the train

DSC_6291 by David Casteel, on Flickr (NC-28 crossing Fontana Lake)


DSC_6208 by David Casteel, on Flickr (train and river)


DSC_6301 by David Casteel, on Flickr (old truck covered by ivy)

Back at the Station

DSC_6304 by David Casteel, on Flickr (my red car)


DSC_6305 by David Casteel, on Flickr (caboose on side track)

Triple G

That looks like a very fun trip.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

It was! I like trains, and was looking for things to do in that part of the country, not too far from the TimeShare. If you like model trains, there is a pretty good sized layout in an adjacent building to the train depot in Bryson City.

Triple G

We’re in East TN so it’s close by. We have a friend who works on a similar set up in the San Francisco area. This would be a great treat to do with them when traveling again.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I recommend it. There are more photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/collections/72157624656829306/

Triple G

Thx

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Welcome.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

If you liked that one, you'll go ape**** over the Durango and Silverton out of Durango, CO. Lots of looking over the side of the cars and seeing no support under you. Great scenery.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

That looks like a trip I’d like to take.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Nice shots David!

angler Loc: StHelens England

Good set David.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

Interesting set. Did you get to spend any time at the BACK of the train?

bbrowner Loc: Chapel Hill, NC

We took, that trip last year. And while we enjoyed it… we were, at the same time, somewhat disappointed. Too much of the time we felt like we were going through a tunnel of trees, rocks and other vegetation and not seeing great vistas. Oh… there were some very nice things to see. But not nearly as good as we expected.

Going out and coming back, you were o/n the same side of the train, seeing the same stuff both ways. Was it worth 4 hours from Chapel Hil?l… well we got away from the house for a few days.

Of five train trips … in Alaska, Britain’s Yorkshires, Proctor in Vermont… and a couple of others… I’d rate it #5.

Barry

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

Nice set David.....you got a lot done in short order.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I've done that one, too, 1 1/2 times (winter and summer).