Spring train excursion along Hiwassee River set for April 1

The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum has scheduled its Spring 2017 Rail Excursion through the Hiwassee River Gorge in East Tennessee for Saturday, April 1. The excursion winds through a beautiful river gorge and along the Hiwassee River. The rail trip is a 50-mile, 3-1/2-hour round-trip excursion along the river to the "Hiwassee Loop."

The special attraction of the trip is traveling through the Narrows, where the Hiwassee River flows through rock channels and the Bald Mountain Loop. The track actually passes over itself on a high trestle during a corkscrew climb up the mountain near Farner, Tenn. Tracks along this route parallel the river for most of its length, providing views of the lower gorge.

The railroad was originally built to haul ore from the copper basin in Copper Hill, Tenn. Regularly scheduled passenger trains operated over this line until 1968; the last freight train traveled the "Old Line" in 2001. The Tennessee Overhill Association took over ownership of the rail line in 2004.

General Deluxe Coach seating is offered on this excursion, providing passengers with cushioned seats with large windows. Historic 1950's-era diesel locomotives will pull the vintage climate-controlled coaches. The luxury car "Algonquin Park" offers two seating options: high-level Dome and comfortable Observation Lounge seating. Dome seating allows passengers a panoramic view of the passing scenery from high above the car. Observation Lounge seating gives passengers a view of the railroad over which we pass from the end of the car at the rear of the train. Each option includes complimentary snack service.

Passengers will be asked to move from one side of the aisle to the other before the return trip to ensure that every passenger can view all the scenery in secluded areas along the line.

The trip begins in Johnson City at 7:15 am on April 1 where passengers will board a motor coach to Etowah, Tenn. Passengers also will be picked up in Greeneville at 7:45 a.m., in Morristown at 8:15 a.m. and in Knoxville at 9:15 a.m. Ticketholders will board the train in Etowah at 12:45 p.m. for a 1 p.m. departure. The train will arrive in Farner at 3:30 p.m. for a short layover, leaving Farner at 3:45 p.m. Upon arrival back at Etowah, passengers will board their motor coach for the return trip home; anticipated arrival at Knoxville is 6:45 p.m., Morristown at 7:15 p.m., Greeneville at 7:45 p.m. and Johnson City at 8:15 p.m.

Deluxe Coach Seating cost is $92 per adult and $82 per child (ages 2-12), Observation Lounge seating cost is $130 per adult and $120 per child, and Dome seating cost is $160 per adult and $150 per child. To order tickets, send a check or money order (sorry, cash or credit cards not accepted) along with the number of tickets you're purchasing to Spring 2017 Rail Excursion, Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum, P. O. Box 432, Johnson City, TN, 37605-0432. A printable order form is available online at www.wataugavalleynrhs.org. Please be sure to indicate where you're boarding the motor coach.

For more information email wataugavalley@embarqmail.com or call 423-753-5797 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday - Saturday.