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Operating 53 miles of scenic and freight railroad not far from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The GSMR operates excursion trains through the mountains of Western North Carolina between Bryson City, Nantahala, and Dillsboro. The railroad was excited to again operate steam-powered excursions in 2016 with the refurbishment of former US Army 2-8-0 #1702 (Baldwin 1942). Additionally, the railroad runs freight operations, interchanging cars with the Big Ridge Southern Railroad.

Videographer Jacob Riley Productions was on hand to capture and share the scene on September 10, 2016, as the GSMR celebrated “Steam’s Great Return To The Smokies”, which is our Railfan Video of the Day.



The videographer writes,

On September 10, 2016, JRP ventured out to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR) to chase their 2-8-0 number 1702 on a Photo Special. 1702 is a ex-US Army engine and has spent time on quite a few railroads around the United States. The locomotive of a USATC S160 design was coupled onto 4 passenger cars and set off for the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) at Wesser, NC. About halfway to the NOC 1702 made a whistle stop at Bryson City, NC before continuing on. After arriving at the NOC, one of GSMR’s geeps was coupled to the rear and pulled the train back to Bryson. While at Bryson 1702 was turned on the railroad’s only turntable so it could lead the rest of the trip back to Dillsboro. And the diesel came along for the ride also. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Steam on the former Southern Railway Murphy Branch!”

We couldn’t agree more. Enjoy this wonderful video from Jacob Riley Productions.



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