RailFest 2011

Bryson City, NC – Every year railroad enthusiasts and history buffs from around the world gather in Bryson City for the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s Railfest. This year, the 10th Annual weekend railroading event takes place September 16, 17 and 18. The fun begins Friday night with a special “Wet Your Whistle” invitational train excursion. The festival offers guests a taste of railroad food, memorabilia, storytelling, dance, music, special excursions and events that happen only once a year.

We are proud to announce that  STEAM will be returning to the Bryson City Depot for the weekend festivities! The visiting locomotive LeHigh Valley Coal Co. engine # 126 will be providing special Caboose train rides throughout the weekend. Saturday at 12:15pm & 2:30pm and Sunday at 1:45pm. You don’t want to miss the awesome opportunity to view Steam on the Murphy Branch Line once again! Adult tickets are $30 and $15 Children (2-12).

This year a special collection of Motorcars will be brought by their owner to Bryson City. These track cars were formerly used on railroads to inspect track and carry track gangs and their tools out to work zones. The cars are now privately owned and used to ride on short line railroads nationwide. Various rides on these unique motorcars will be available during Railfest.

Saturday, September 17, festivities include an authentic Mountain Craft Fair with close to 30 area crafters and artists displaying and selling their handmade crafts, pottery and artwork. Catch the Spirit of Appalachia will present local entertainment featuring singing, dancing and mountain folk music.

There will vendors, a children’s talent contest and winner’s jamboree and inflatable’s for children eight and under. The Hurley’s Bluegrass group will be returning for their second year to perform at RailFest along with The Queen Family Band special Sunday performance!

GSMR will be having an exclusive retail sidewalk sale which will feature special collectables and special event merchandise! Be sure to take advantage of this great sale!

Tim Hall the Appalachian Storyteller will be joining in this year with his special storytelling mastery. Enjoy his presentations of the Building of a Nation; The History of Railroad and learn about how Western North Carolina played an important part! Live demonstrations will be done daily Saturday and Sunday! You don’t want to miss this!

Sunday, September 18, features a Nantahala Gorge “Photo Special” Excursion. This eight-hour roundtrip excursion takes you from Bryson City to Andrews, and includes two photo run-by opportunities and a picnic lunch. Visitors to Bryson City will enjoy mountain music with various artists throughout the day. Ticket prices start at Adult ticket $94, Child (2-12years) $51 & Infant under 2 $10.

Don’t miss this spectacular railroading event, where you’ll return to a time when the railroad moved mountains and the short line railroad was a small town’s best friend.

Proud member of the American Heritage Railways family. Visit our sister railroads in southwest Colorado at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and in east Texas at the Texas State Railroad