Along the Nantahala Gorge

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The objective today was to ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The line operates an excursion train through the mountains along the Nantahala River. To get to Bryson City, where we would board the train, we followed US 19 west from Asheville. This route took us through Maggie Valley, a center for winter sports, and then directly through the Cherokee Reservation. The highway through the reservation is mountainous, with roadside billboards whose messages about health care and other tribal concerns gives the visitor an insight into contemporary Cherokee life. A large casino greets visitors in Cherokee at the intersection of US 19 and 441 in the heart of the reservation.

At Bryson City, North Carolina, we found the blue railway station and picked up our excursion tickets and lunch coupons. Presently, the train arrived and we were off to see a bit of the Western North Carolina backcountry. The line follows the mountain terrain and there are numerous tight curves where the full length of the train can be seen.

The train crossed Lake Fontana, formed in 1944 when the Nantahala River was dammed to provide hydroelectric power for the region. At the upper end of the lake is Wesser Creek Falls. The falls are not naturally occurring, but were formed as a result of the lake and dam construction. At this point, the train began to parallel the Nantahala River through the deep Nantahala Gorge. The rapids along here are a popular spot for whitewater rafting.

At Hewitt's Gap, a quarry siding and a passing freight train were reminders that there is also commerce along this line. The rail line was formerly the Murphy Branch of Norfolk Southern. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad now operates both passenger excursions and freight trains on the line.

The train excursion goes as far as Nantahala, 31 miles (50 km) from Bryson City. Here, the locomotive runs around the train on a siding and couples to the opposite end to take it back to Bryson City. On the return, the train made a 30 minute stop at Wesser. This was our lunch stop, with box lunches consisting of ham or turkey sandwiches. Passengers could also get off, look around a bit, and go down to the river. The community of Wesser is home to Nantahala Outdoor Center, a staging point for kayakers and whitewater rafters on the Nantahala River and backcountry hikers. The Appalachian Trail passes near here and it is a spot for day hikes along the Trail.

Back on the train, a fiddler came through the coach with her violin to play some tunes. She asked if anyone played. Our son, Drew, replied that he did, and so she invited him to play as rolled through mountains back to Bryson City.

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Photos

Bryson City Station
Former Southern Railway depot at Bryson City, North Carolina. Built about 1890 on the Murphy Branch. The station is at mile post 65 on the Southern Railway's former Murphy Branch. Now used by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for excursion train service and the gift shop. NC033p1

Great Smoky Mountains Excursion Train
Arriving at Bryson City. NC037p1

Great Smoky Mountains Excursion Train
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Crossing Lake Fontana
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Wesser Falls
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Quarry at Hewitt's Gap
A quarry siding at Hewitt's Gap serves an industry on the GSMRR. NC056

Passing a GSMRR Freight Train
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Almond Station
Almond Depot. The station is at mile post 85 on the Southern Railway's former Murphy Branch. Adaptive reuse as a residence. View forma Great Smoky Mountains Railroad excursion. NC067p1

Along the Nantahala River
Along the Nantahala River in Western North Carolina. Nantahala Gorge excursion on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. NC060p1

Nantahala River Rapids
Along the Nantahala River rapids in Western North Carolina. Nantahala Gorge excursion on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. NC061p1

Nantahala River Rapids
Along the Nantahala River rapids in Western North Carolina. Nantahala Gorge excursion on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. NC062p1

Lunch Stop at Wesser
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The Conductor Calls Everyone Back on Board
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Excursion Locomotive
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