2009 Calendar
Information on upcoming events with the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Please contact our Reservations Office for more information regarding these events at 1-800-872-4681.
Tar Heel Ticket
01/17/2009 - 03/31/2009
Nantahala Gorge Excursions scheduled January 17th through March 31st!GSMR offers a special discount to North Carolina residents on tickets reserved in advance (Must present photo ID at depot). $5.00 off adult/$2.00 off child. All trains depart Bryson City Depot for the Nantahala Gorge Excursion at 11 am.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Winter Schedule
01/17/2009 - 03/31/2009
Winter is an amazing time in the mountains. Watch for wildlife, view rock formations or find a secret waterfall! Join us starting in January and enjoy discounted rates through March 31st. Nantahala Gorge Excursions are offered every Saturday departing at 11 am 1/17/09 thru 3/31/09. The Nantahala Gorge will also be departing on Fridays 3/13 & 3/20 before starting daily departures 3/21 - 3/31.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown Brunch!
02/14/2009 - 02/14/2009
Upgrade your Nantahala Gorge Excursion into our dining car for a character greeting & brunch. Menu: Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo, Salad with fresh baby greens served with tangerine balsamic vinaigrette, and red velvet cake for adults. Child friendly food option for kids! $19 upgrade for adult and $12 upgrade for child. Standard Coach Rate applies on train portion.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Peanut's Easter Beagle
04/10/2009 - 04/11/2009
Nantahala Gorge Excursion departs at 10:30 am from Bryson City to the Nantahala Outdoor Center where refreshments are served. During the layover, children seek out bunnies carrying brightly colored eggs. Photo opportunities with Snoopy, the Easter Beagle will be available!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Home School Day
04/17/2009 - 04/17/2009
Nantahala Gorge Excursion. Special school rates available to home-schooled children. Train departs at 10:30am.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Boy Scouts of America Freedom Train
05/2/2009 - 05/2/2009
Get on board and celebrate our precious freedom. A portion of all ticket sales benefit the Daniel Boone Council Boy Scouts of America. Nantahala Gorge Excursion departing Bryson City at 10:30 am.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Mother's Day Brunch
05/10/2009 - 05/10/2009
Pre-book a brunch option available for passengers riding the Nantahala Gorge Excursion departing at 10:30 am. Menu: French Toast with Orange Zest, Escalloped Ham & Potatoes, Fresh Fruit Tart, Coffee, Hot Tea, and Mimosas. Child friendly food option for kids! Cost: $22.00 adult and 12.00 child. Standard Coach Rate applies on train portion.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
The Lone Ranger
05/23/2009 - 05/31/2009
New for 2009! Two 2-Day Weekends in May! May 23rd - 24th & 30th - 31st. This exciting event will feature a train robbery and gun fight. Activities and entertainment will be around the Bryson City depot. Departure times will be 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm. Passengers will be on board the train for a one hour and 20 minute adventure. The Lone Ranger and Tonto will ride the train on the return trip passing out silver bullets to children. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Father's Day Brunch
06/21/2009 - 06/21/2009
Upgraded brunch option available for passengers riding the Nantahala Gorge excursion departing at 10:30 am. Menu: Sirloin Omelets, Cheese Grits, Fresh Fruit, Coffee, Hot Tea and Irish Coffee. Child friendly food option for kids! $22 upgrade for adult and $12 upgrade for child. Standard Coach Rate applies on train portion.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Day Out With Thomas
07/24/2009 - 08/2/2009
For nine, fun-filled days, Thomas fans will meet Sir Topham Hatt and ride a train pulled by Thomas the Tank Steam Engine. The event, anchored in the town of Bryson City, includes a 25-minute train ride pulled by an authentic steam powered Thomas the Tank Engine. The ticket price also includes: Live entertainment, petting zoo, story telling, video viewing, interactive play center (The Imagination Station) and much more. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum! Please Note: DOWT will not be available Wednesday, July 29th.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681 or www.thomasandfriends.com
The Lone Ranger
08/22/2009 - 08/30/2009
New for 2009! Two 2-Day Weekends in August! August 22nd - 23rd & 29th - 30th. This exciting event will feature a train robbery and gun fight. Activities and entertainment will be around the Bryson City depot. Departure times will be 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm. Passengers will be on board the train for a one hour and 20 minute adventure. The Lone Ranger and Tonto will ride the train on the return trip passing out silver bullets to children. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
2009 Railfest
09/18/2009 - 09/20/2009
Three days of railroad fun! Railroad enthusiasts and history buffs alike gather for three days of railroad fun! Enjoy visiting equipment, motor car displays and muscial performances.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
7th Annual Mountain Craft Fair
09/19/2009 - 09/20/2009
A festival celebrating authentic handmade arts and crafts of the Western North Carolina Mountains. Held in Bryson City in conjunction with Railfest 2009 and Bryson City's 28th Firemen's Day!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
2009 Photo Special
09/20/2009 - 09/20/2009
Traverse the famous Red Marble Gap by rail and enjoy an eight-Hour, 71 mile roundtrip excursion from Bryson City to Andrews. Two photo run-bys and layover in Andrews. Picnic lunch provided. Departs at 9:00am.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
October Leaf Season
10/1/2009 - 10/31/2009
Western North Carolina mountains are ablaze with brilliant fall foliage. Nantahala Gorge excursions will be departing daily from the Bryson City Depot at 9:00am and 2:00pm during October 1 - 31. Tuckasegee excursions will depart from Bryson City at 12:00 noon on October 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-22 & 26-31. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Peanuts - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express
10/2/2009 - 10/25/2009
Meet Charlie Brown, Lucy & Snoopy and select your own pumpkin. Enjoy hayrides, live musical entertainment, story telling, hay bale maze, bouncy house, apple cider, peanuts gift shop, temporary tattoo center, petting zoo and trick or treating! And kids, don't forget to wear your costumes! Daily departure times are 3:00 pm on Fridays and 11:30 am & 3:00 pm on Saturdays & Sundays.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
19th Annual Chili Cook-Off
10/17/2009 - 10/17/2009
Held at the Bryson City Depot. Benefits the Swain County Chamber of Commerce.
Bryson City Chamber of Commerce - 1-800-867-9246
The Polar Express
11/6/2009 - 12/23/2009
The Polar Express comes to life when the train departs Bryson city for a journey to our North pole. Read along with the magical story and meet Santa. Enjoy holiday caroling, hot cocoa, a special treat and a memento for the children. Daily departure times vary. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Western Carolina Pottery Festival
11/7/2009 - 11/7/2009
The work of more than 25 highly skilled southern potters will be featured at the Western Carolina Pottery Festival rain or shine in the historic town of Dillsboro, NC.
Dillsboro Merchants Association - www.visitdillsboro.org
Veteran's Day Train
11/11/2009 - 11/11/2009
Join GSMR as we honor veterans of all eras.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
The Polar Express - Home School Day
12/3/2009 - 12/3/2009
Special Student rates available to home-schooled children
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Dillsboro Luminary Festival
12/4/2009 - 12/12/2009
Journey back to the days of yesteryear as Dillsboro presents its annual Festival of Lights and Luminaries. Experience magical evenings as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song. Live music, refreshments, and shops open late.(First and Second Friday & Saturday each December)
Dillsboro Merchants Association - www.visitdillsboro.org
New Year's Eve Gala
12/31/2009 - 01/1/2010
Celebrate the New Year uniquely onboard our New Year's Eve Gala! A festive, fun-filled evening. The train boards at 8:45 pm and returns at approximately 12:30 am. This train features an evening of dining, dancing and live entertainment. Welcome in the New Year railroad style!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
