Tuckasegee River Excursion
*Currently Not Operating*
Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!
Please note, this excursion is currently not operating. Please find details about our Nantahala Gorge Excursion here!
- About This Trip
- Things To Do
- Itinerary
- Classes of Service and Pricing
- Class Comparison
- How to Purchase
- Schedule
About This Trip
The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.
Things To Do


Itinerary
Here’s what we plan on doing. Refer to this train’s schedule for departures times.
30m before departure | Boarding begins at Bryson City Depot |
See schedule for departure time | Depart Bryson City, NC |
1h 15m | Arrive at Dillsboro, NC |
1h 15m—2h 45m | Layover |
2h 45m | Depart Dillsboro, NC |
4h 00m | Arrive at Bryson City Depot |
Time from Departure | Activity |
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Given the nature of railroading, durations are approximate and subject to change without notice.
Classes of Service
First Class
Diesel | N/A | Not Permitted |
Steam | N/A | Not Permitted |
Locomotive | Adult (21+ Only) | Under 21 |
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Only November, and December. First Class features assigned seating at a dining table in a climate controlled car with large picture windows, and are served a boxed lunch by the car's attendant. Each couple receives a souvenir tote bag (1 per couple),and everyone receives a souvenir travel mug with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day.
Limited bar service available.
Family First Class
Diesel | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Steam | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Locomotive | Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
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Family First Class features assigned seating at a dining table in a climate controlled car with large picture windows. Adults (13+) and children (2-12) are served a boxed lunch by the car's attendant. Each adult couple receives a souvenir tote bag (1 per couple). Everyone aged 2 years old on up receives a souvenir travel mug with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day.
Limited bar service available.
Crown Class
Diesel | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Steam | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Locomotive | Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
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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! Beer and wine available. 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.
Beer and wine available.
Don't forget to preorder your boxed lunch!
Coach Class
Diesel | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Steam | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Locomotive | Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
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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.
Don't forget to preorder your boxed lunch!
Open Air Gondola
Diesel | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Steam | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Locomotive | Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
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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.
Add an official Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Sweatshirt Blanket to your reservation for just $29.99! At 54" x 84" it's the perfect size for two to keep warm during our cool mornings.
Don't forget to preorder your boxed lunch!
Class Comparison
Amenity | First Class | Family First Class | Crown Class | Coach Class | Open Air Gondola |
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Meal Included | ![]() |
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Lunch Available | ![]() |
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Restrooms Available | ![]() |
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Heat | ![]() |
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Air Conditioning | ![]() |
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Assigned Seating | ![]() |
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Souvenir Travel Mug | ![]() |
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Large Picture Windows | ![]() |
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Souvenir Tote Bag | ![]() |
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Windows Open/Close | ![]() |
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Ceiling Fans | ![]() |
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Ideal for Photography | ![]() |
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Outward Facing Seats | ![]() |
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Padded Seats | ![]() |
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How to Purchase
You can purchase your for other excursions online or call our reservations department at (800) 872-4681. No matter how you purchase tickets, they’ll be waiting at will call. Or, you can purchase your tickets the day of in the Bryson City Depot. Check out our complete train schedule to see all our options.
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 48 hours before departure. Within 48 hours of the departure 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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