Tuckasegee River Excursion | Beautiful Countryside + Fun Family Activities = The Best Rail Vacation

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!

Ride this excursion via Steam or Diesel locomotive power!

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

Map of Downtown Dillsboro
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Itinerary

Here’s what we plan on doing. Refer to this train’s schedule for departures times.

Time from Departure	Activity
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

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

Classes of Service

First Class

Locomotive	Adult (21+ Only)	Under 21
Diesel	$98.00	Not Permitted
Steam	$110.00	Not Permitted

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Only available November, December, January, February, and March, First Class features assigned seating at a dining table in a climate controlled car with large picture windows, and are served 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

Locomotive	Adult (13+)	Child (2-12)	Infant (0-23 Months)
Diesel	$98.00	$56.00	$20.00
Steam	$110.00	$63.00	$22.00

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Only available December 26 through December 31, 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 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

Locomotive	Adult (13+)	Child (2-12)	Infant (0-23 Months)
Diesel	$68.00 ($71.00 October)	$38.00	$10.00
Steam	$81.00 ($85.00 October)	$43.00	$12.00

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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.

Coach Class

Locomotive	Adult (13+)	Child (2-12)	Infant (0-23 Months)
Diesel	$51.00 ($55.00 October)	$29.00 ($31.00 October)	Complimentary
Steam	$58.00 ($62.00 October)	$34.00	Complimentary

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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.

Open Air Gondola

Locomotive	Adult (13+)	Child (2-12)	Infant (0-23 Months)
Diesel	$51.00 ($55.00 October)	$29.00 ($31.00 October)	Complimentary
Steam	$58.00 ($62.00 October)	$34.00	Complimentary

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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.

Class Comparison

Amenity	First Class	Family First Class	Crown Class	Coach Class	Open Air Gondola
Meal Included
Lunch Available
Restrooms Available
Heat
Air Conditioning
Assigned Seating
Souvenir Travel Mug
Large Picture Windows
Souvenir Tote Bag
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, they’ll be waiting at will call.

Or, you can purchase your tickets the day of in the Bryson City Depot.

Ticket prices start at $51 for Adults (13 years old and up), $29 for Children (2-12 years) and complimentary for Infants (23 months and under). See Classes of Service for the various class descriptions and pricing.