The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
is offering another opportunity to ride rails through the beautiful
Hiwassee River Gorge. For only the second time in 10 years, the "Old Line" of the former Louisville & Nashville is open to passenger rail excursions during weekends in October and early November.
It will include a 22-mile, approximate 2-hour roundtrip rail excursion along the Hiwassee River to near TVA's Apalachia powerhouse and back (please note that the Hiwassee
Loop portion of the railroad is not included in this trip.)
Steve Freer of the railroad museum said, "Tracks along this route parallel the Hiwassee River for its full length providing breathtaking views of the lower gorge. Passengers will not detrain at the turnaround point."
Tickets are by reservation for specific trains only. Each train is open seating and features reclining coach seats with large windows so that passengers may fully enjoy the experience. Vintage enclosed climate-controlled coaches will be pulled by a 1950's era diesel locomotive.
All seats are $33 for everyone (age 3 and up). Shuttle buses will depart from the L&N Depot in downtown Etowah and deliver passengers to the train boarding location and then return patrons to the depot following the trip.
A portion of the proceeds of this series will go toward further stabilization of this scenic and historic rail line, it was stated.
This trip is being offered for Oct. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 and Nov. 6, 7, 13 & 14.
Departure times are 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on each day.
Reservations are now being taken. Download and complete an order form found at
www.tvrail.com. Return via mail or fax, or call 423-894-8028 during weekday business hours.
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is a 501(c)3, non-profit, Tennessee
educational corporation with a mission to preserve, restore, and operate historic railway equipment.