The leaves are peaking now and should hold on for a week or more for excursionists to enjoy a remote area of Eastern Tennessee through the Hiwassee River Gorge. Trains travel from near Etowah, through Reliance, around the spiraling "Loop", and turn back in Farner where the locomotive switches from one end of the train to the other.
As the leaves "fall" from trees, it will open up views of the river, gorge, and surrounding vistas as tracks climb up and over the Loop near TVA's Apalachia Dam which can be seen from the train across the North Carolina border.
The 50-mile, 3½-hour round-trip rail excursion parallels the Hiwassee River for most of its length providing views of the lower gorge. At the top, passengers will pass over a bridge 62 feet above the tracks on which they have just traveled as the rails negotiate a corkscrew formation. This track configuration is one of only two in the United States which can be ridden across on a passenger train.
Each train is general seating and features comfortable cushioned seats with large windows. The enclosed, climate-controlled coaches are pulled by historic 1950's era diesel locomotives.
Tickets for "Loop" trips are $36 for adults and $26 for children age 3-12. A senior rate of $28 will be
available beginning Nov. 12 and the other rates listed drop slightly as well. Even lower group rates are available for parties of 25 persons or more. Trips for the 2008 season will resume in late March.
Autumn schedule of "Hiwassee Loop" rides for the balance of November is as follows:
Monday, Nov 5. - 1:30 departure
Tuesday, Nov 6. - 1:30 departure
Wednesday, Nov. 7 - 1:30 departure
Thursday, Nov 8. - 1:30 departure
Friday, Nov. 9 - 9:30 and 1:30 departures
Saturday, Nov. 10 - 9:30 and 1:30 departures
Sunday, Nov. 11 - 1:30 departure
Friday, Nov. 16 - 9:30 and 1:30 departure
Saturday, Nov 17 - SOLD OUT
Sunday, Nov. 18 - 1:30 departure
Saturday, Nov. 24 - 9:30 and 1:30 departures
Sunday, Nov. 25 - Copperhill Trip (see below)
A special, double-length trip to Copperhill will run on Sunday, Nov. 25, departing at 9:30 a.m. for the all-day excursion trip to the joint towns of Copperhill, Tn. and McCaysville, Ga. Layover allows time for
exploration of the unique dual-State city and for lunch "on your own." Tickets for the Copperhill trip are $65 for adults, $60 for seniors over age 65, and $40 for children age 3-12.
Online ordering is available 24 hours a day at www.tvrail.com. Reservations can be placed in advance online or by calling the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at 894-8028, extension zero. Reservations for these rides are strongly recommended. Check website for the most current information about trip dates. If trains are not sold out in advance, "walk up" tickets can be purchased at the Etowah L&N Depot. Call 263-7840 for "day of trip" ticket availability. Online orders placed at least a day before trip date are treated as "will call" and the Etowah Depot agent will issue actual tickets "on the spot" before trip departure. All trips begin at the Etowah L&N Depot with a short shuttle bus ride to the boarding location of the train. All train trips are roundtrip and passengers will be shuttled back to the Etowah Depot.
Hiwassee River Rail Adventure trips are made possible through the cooperation of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association. All tickets are sold as a fundraising effort to keep the vintage railway equipment preserved and the historic rail line in active service.