Reservations
2008 GSMR Excursions
Fontana Trestle | Gourmet Beer Train | Gourmet Dinner Trains | Mystery Theatre Dinner Train | Nantahala Gorge | Peanuts™ - The Great Pumpkin Patch Expess | The Little Engine That Could™ I Think I Can!™ Rail Tour | The Polar Express™ | The Polar Express™ Dinner Train | Tuckasegee River | Whittier Sundown | Day Out With Thomas™ | Gourmet Wine Train | Peanuts™ Easter Beagle | Raft n' Rail™ with Wildwater Ltd. | Rapid Transit™ with the Nantahala Outdoor Center |
We're excited about our 2008 excursions and we hope you are too! Simply click on the links above to learn more about the various trips available and to make secure online reservation requests.
Please note that a credit card is required to reserve online -- we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Cancellation and change fees are $6 per seat and no refunds are available within 24 hours of departure on regular excursions and 72 hours for our dining trains. Restrooms are available at depots or on board. Limited disability access - Please call for details. Smoking is prohibited on board. Schedule and equipment subject to change.
To see a 2008 schedule overview before going on to the individual trips, click here (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Internet Reservations
*Online reservations must be made 7 or more days in advance. You may always call and make reservations over the phone at any time by calling 1-800-872-4681.
**If you encounter a problem with our internet reservation system or if you enter incorrect information, please call the Resevations Office directly at 1-800-872-4681 ext. 7031. Please do not email changes or to report an error in entering data. Thank you!
***If you are a member of AAA, please call the ticket office at 1-800-872-4681 to obtain a special discount. Discount available on upgraded seating only.
Fontana Trestle
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Depart Bryson City at 7:35 pm. 2 hour round trip (no layover). For a detailed schedule and information, click here. Travel to the Fontana Lake Trestle spanning 780 feet and standing 100 feet above the water. View the magnificent sunset on the lake. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum in Bryson City. You may enjoy the museum before your trip or return another day! |
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Gourmet Beer Train
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June 14th & October 4th, diesel, $83 per person (plus tax & gratuity), departs Dillsboro. 21 & over only. For a detailed schedule and information, click here. June 14th - Evening features a special menu paired with four local premium beers from the Carolina Beer Company. 7:30pm departure. October 4th - Evening features a special German menu paired with four local premium beers from Heinzelmannchen Brewery (8:00 PM departure). Authentic Oktoberfest themed Gourmet Dinner Train with an Umpa band and beer reception on the depot deck followed by an evening filled with their finest ales and Chef Paul’s German Cuisine. Heinzelmannchen owners, Dieter and wife Sheryl Kuhn will be onboard to describe and answer questions about their fine ales. For more information call 1-800-872-4681 |
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Gourmet Dinner Trains
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February - mid-November, diesel, $73 per person (plus tax & gratuity), departs Dillsboro. Dressy casual/Cocktail Attire dress code enforced. Age 21 & over. For a detailed schedule and information, click here. First class seating. Four-course gourmet meal with cocktails, beer and wine available. Most Gourmet Dinner Trains depart at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evenings. Select GDT depart at 8:00 pm. Polar Express™ Dining Trains are available mid-November through December 23rd. See The Polar Express™ listing for more details. *Cancellations require 72 hr. notice. Adults age 21 and up only. Dressy casual/Cocktail attire dress code enforced. This means no jeans, t-shirts, shorts, flip flops, tennis shoes or baseball caps and everyone dress in good taste. Dress Code is enforced. For specially themed Gourmet Dinner Trains, check out our special events page. |
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Mystery Theatre Dinner Train
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Summer and Fall, $94 per person (plus tax & gratuity), departs Dillsboro. Dressy Casual/Cocktail Attire dress code enforced. Age 21 & over. For a detailed schedule and information, click here. NIGHTSHADE MYSTERY THEATRE offers a fun and exciting collection of mysteries in the 2008 Mystery Theatre Dinner Train series on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Comic tales of intrigue unfold between the courses of a delightful dinner. Your skills as a sleuth will be needed to solve the ultimate mystery. The three-hour Mystery Dinner Theatre Train pulls out of the Dillsboro Depot at 7:30 PM (Certain Trains depart at 8:00). Dressy Casual/Cocktail Attire dress code enforced. This means no jeans, t-shirts, shorts, flip flops, tennis shoes or baseball caps and everyone dress in good taste. Dress Code is enforced. Age 21 & over. Call 1-800-872-4681 for reservations and additional information. |
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Nantahala Gorge
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Departing Bryson City (4 1/2 hours, 44 mile round trip) For a detailed schedule and information, click here. Depart Bryson City and travel to the Nantahala Outdoor Center and return. This magnificent trip offers highlights like the Horseshoe Curve, Fontana Lake Trestle, Little Tennessee River and the Nantahala River Gorge. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum in Bryson City. You may enjoy the museum before or after the excursion. |
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Peanuts™ - The Great Pumpkin Patch Expess
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Peanuts™ - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express departs Dillsboro Depot October 10th - 26th. For a detailed schedule and information, click here. Meet Snoopy, Charlie Brown & Lucy, and select your own pumpkin. Enjoy hayrides, live musical entertainment, story telling, hay bale maze, bouncy house, apple cider, peanuts gift shop, face painting and trick or treating! And kids don't forget to wear your costumes. There will also be a petting zoo! |
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The Little Engine That Could™ I Think I Can!™ Rail Tour
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Bryson City. May 16, 17, 18 & 23, 24, 25.
Fridays & Sundays: 12:15, 1:00, 1:45, 2:45 & 3:30. Saturdays: 10:45, 11:30, 12:15, 1:00, 1:45, 2:45, 3:30. For a detailed schedule and information, click here. A full-size replica engine of the famous character created in the original book by Watty Piper is coming to the GSMR in Bryson City for a wonderful family adventure. $18.00 per person. Age twenty four months & under is complimentary. No refunds or exchanges. This price includes train ride, admission to the event site, and also admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum. © 2004 Penguin Group (USA) Inc. The Little Engine That Could, engine design, and I Think I Can: TM & © Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All rights Reserved. |
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The Polar Express™
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Departing Bryson City November 7-9, 13-16, 20-23 25,26 & 28-30 and December 2-7, 9-23. For a detailed schedule and information, click here. The Polar Express comes to life when the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey to our "North Pole". Guests on board will enjoy hot chocolate and treats while listening and reading along with the magical story. Experience the joy of watching the children's faces when the train arrives at our "North Pole," where Santa Claus will be waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express where he will greet each child and present them with a special memento. Holiday carols will be sung on the return trip to Bryson City. Families will want to make this a holiday tradition! $38.00 per person for adults and teens 13 and older. $26.00 per child over 24 months of age. Children 24 months and younger are complimentary. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum in Bryson City. Please note: During the online reservation process, you must select a date and time for each reservation. If a time is not available for selection, that time is sold-out and no longer available. Thank you. |
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The Polar Express™ Dinner Train
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Nov. 14-16, 20-23, 25-26 & 28-30. Dec. 1-7 & 9-23. Departure times of 4:15 pm and 7:15 pm will vary depending on date. All Polar Express Dining Trains departure from Dillsboro. For a detailed schedule and information, click here. The Polar Express comes to life when the train departs the Dillsboro Depot for a journey to our "North Pole". Guests on board will enjoy a three course meal in addition to hot chocolate and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Experience the joy of watching the children's faces when the train arrives at our "North Pole," where Santa Claus will be waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express where he will greet each child and present them with a special memento. Holiday carols will be sung on the return trip to Dillsboro. Families will want to make this a holiday tradition! $61 per adult and children 13 and older, $36 per child. Tax & gratuity added at time of reservation. $13 per child 24 months and under(no meal). Departs Dillsboro depot and includes 3-course meal onboard. Beer & Wine by the glass available for purchase by credit card. |
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Tuckasegee River
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Departing Dillsboro (4 hours, 34 mile round trip) For a detailed schedule and information, click here. Travel from Dillsboro to Bryson City. This relaxing train trip travels through the historic Cowee Tunnel, crisscrosses the Tuckasegee River, passes through old railroad towns and scenic meadows on the way to Bryson City's historic depot for a 1 hour and 25 minute layover before returning. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum in Bryson City. Enjoy the museum during your layover or return another day! |
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Whittier Sundown
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June, July and August. June and August excursions depart Dillsboro at 7:30 pm. 2.5 - 3 hour round trip (no layover). For a detailed schedule and information, click here. Travel to the quaint mountain town of Whittier. Enjoy the scenery as the train winds along the lazy Tuckasegee River and through the Cowee Mountain Tunnel. All seating is in Open air cars. |
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Day Out With Thomas™
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Dillsboro July 25-29 & July 31 - August 3 For a detailed schedule and information, click here. The classic storybook engine chugs into Dillsboro July 25th-August 3rd! Enjoy a 25 minute ride with Thomas, meet Sir Topham Hatt™, hear storytelling, live music and much more! Call the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad to purchase tickets or learn more. You may also reserve via the internet at wwww.ticketweb.com. |
Call 1-800-872-4681 for Reservations and More Information |
Gourmet Wine Train
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Special Gourmet Dinner Trains that feature the pairing of premium wines from select vineyards. For a detailed schedule and information, click here. $88 per person (plus tax & gratuity) |
Call 1-800-872-4681 for Reservations and More Information |
Peanuts™ Easter Beagle
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New for 2008! Depart Dillsboro at 9 am or 1:30 pm on Saturday, March 22nd on the Easter Beagle Express! Call 1-800-872-4681 for reservations. For a detailed schedule and information, click here. Departs From Dillsboro and follows the Tuckasegee River to Bryson City where refreshments are served. During the layover, children can seek out bunnies carrying brightly colored eggs. Photo opportunities with Snoopy, the Easter Beagle. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum! |
Call 1-800-872-4681 for Reservations and More Information |
Raft n' Rail™ with Wildwater Ltd.
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April - October. Raft n' Rail with Wildwater Ltd. Rafting Rates: $82 per adult and $65 per child. Departs Bryson City depot. Open air seating. For a detailed schedule and information, click here. Since 1988, this adventure combination has been a favorite for first-timers or seasoned paddlers. Travel by rail 22 miles along the foothills of the Smokies and up the Nantahala River Gorge. At the top-of-the-line join the professional team of Wildwater for a 2-hour whitewater trip down 8 miles of the Nantahala River. Picnic style lunches, complimentary hot beverages, changing rooms with hot showers and transportation back to the depot are all included. Join us for a full day of excitement experiencing two of the most popular activities in the Smokies. Fully Guided or Follow-A-Guide service is available. April – October. Children must weigh at least 60 lbs or be 7 years old. All seating is in open air cars. |
Call 1-800-872-4681 for Reservations and More Information |
Rapid Transit™ with the Nantahala Outdoor Center
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April - October. Rapid Transit with Nantahala Outdoor Center. Rafting Rates: $89 per adult and $72 per child. Departs Bryson City depot. Open air seating. For a detailed schedule and information, click here. Two great ways to see the Nantahala River! NOC's Rapid Transit package includes a fully-guided whitewater raft trip and a thirty-mile scenic train ride. Enjoy breathtaking scenery and incredible river views as your train travels from Bryson City through the Nantahala Gorge and back to NOC. Watch the river antics of rafters and kayakers while you eat a tasty lunch at Slow Joe's Riverside Café. After lunch, raft eight miles of the family - friendly Nantahala. This full day excursion includes lunch, all equipment, and transportation back to Bryson City. April through October. Children must weigh at least 60 lbs or be 7 years old. All seating is in open air cars. |
Call 1-800-872-4681 for Reservations and More Information |
