Sunset Tuckasegee River Train

777 on trestle

About This Trip

Enjoy a beautiful North Carolina sunset and brilliant fall colors as you travel by rail through the quiet countryside and along the Tuckasegee River to the quaint Town of Dillsboro. You’ll even get a chance to pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford! The journey is 32 miles round trip for a full 3-hour train ride. Please note, there is no layover on Sunset trains. Be sure to bring a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings after the sun goes down. These 4:45pm departures are available on select weekend dates during October.

Itinerary

30m before departure Boarding begins at Bryson City Depot
See schedule for departure time Depart Bryson City, NC
1h 25m Reach top of the line
1h 35m Begin return
3h Arrive at Bryson City Depot
Time from Departure Activity

Given the nature of railroading, durations are approximate and subject to change without notice.

Classes of Service

Crown Class

Diesel $84 $54 $12
Steam $94 $64 $13
Locomotive Adult (13+) Child (2-12) Infant (0-23 Months)
Crown Class features assigned seating in a climate controlled car with large picture windows. Everyone over the age of 2 years old receives a souvenir tumbler with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day! When we reach the end of the line, we will invite all guests in this class to switch sides with their neighbors so that everyone will have the opportunity to take pictures from a new perspective on the opposite side of the train. Preorder your boxed lunch to enjoy onboard dining! Beer and wine available.

Coach Class

Diesel $63 $38 Complimentary
Steam $73 $48 Complimentary
Locomotive Adult (13+) Child (2-12) Infant (0-23 Months)
Coach Class features open seating in an enclosed car, windows that can be opened for fresh air and taking photos, and are heated and have ceiling fans. When we reach the end of the line, we will invite all guests in this class to switch sides with their neighbors so that everyone will have the opportunity to take pictures from a new perspective on the opposite side of the train. Preorder your boxed lunch to enjoy onboard dining! Beer, wine, nonalcoholic beverages, and snacks available onboard.

Open Air Gondola

Diesel $68 $43 Complimentary
Steam $78 $53 Complimentary
Locomotive Adult (13+) Child (2-12) Infant (0-23 Months)
Open Air Gondolas feature open seating in a car with unobstructed views, half-height walls, and a roof above to protect passengers from the elements. When we reach the end of the line, we will invite all guests in this class to switch sides with their neighbors so that everyone will have the opportunity to take pictures from a new perspective on the opposite side of the train. Pre-order your boxed lunch to enjoy onboard dining! Beer, wine, nonalcoholic beverages, and snacks available onboard.

Class Comparison

Classes of Service Table
Amenities First Class Premium Open Air Gondola Crown Class Coach Plus Coach Class Open Air Gondola
Meal Included
Lunch Available
Restrooms Available
Heat
Air Conditioning
Assigned Seating
Souvenir Travel Mug
Large Picture Windows
Windows Open/Close
Ceiling Fans
Ideal for Photography
Outward Facing Seats
Padded Seats

How to Purchase

You can purchase your tickets online or call our reservations department at (800) 872-4681. No matter how you purchase tickets, your boarding passes will be emailed. Or, you can purchase your tickets the day of in the Bryson City Depot. See Classes of Service for the various class descriptions and pricing.

Where to Go

All departures are from the Bryson City Depot in Bryson City, NC. Entrance to the parking lot is located at:

45 Mitchell Street Bryson City, NC 28713

Plan on being here by 1 hour before your departure.

Schedule

Schedule is subject to change at any time. Other excursions/events may be available; see full schedule for more.

Ticket fares subject to 7% Historic Preservation Fee. Schedules, fares, motive power, equipment, seat selection, and meals are subject to change without notice. We guarantee the class of service you select. You will be notified if a change in schedule or motive power affects your reservation. Payment in full at booking by major credit card is required to finalize a reservation. You may cancel your reservation in full or in part and receive a refund less a $14.00 fee per adult ticket and $6.00 fee per child ticket as late as 5 days before departure with the exception of The Polar Express Train Ride; The Polar Express Train Ride is as late as 60 days before departure. Within 5 days of the departure, or 60 days in the case of the Polar Express Train Ride, the reservation becomes nonrefundable. You may reschedule any time prior to your originally scheduled departure with a $7.00 fee per ticket for another date within the same calendar year. You may not reschedule a reservation after the scheduled departure.

You agree that GSMR General Excursions and Events for which you purchased tickets and/or attended is a public event, that your appearance and actions inside and outside the venue where the Excursion/Event occurs are public in nature, and that you have no expectation of privacy with regard to your actions or conduct at the Event. You hereby irrevocably grant permission to the host railroad, licensor, sponsor(s) and/or their assigns to use, copy, display, distribute, exhibit and utilize your name, image, digital image, likeness, acts, poses, voice, appearance, movements and statements in any live or recorded audio, video or photographic display or other transmission, exhibition, publication or reproduction of same, including at the Excursion/ Event (regardless of whether before, during or after the Excursion/ Event) for any purpose, in any manner, in any medium or context now known or hereafter developed without further authorization from or any compensation to you or anyone acting or entitled to act on your Behalf.

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