Tuckasegee River Excursion
Join us for a relaxing ride through the quiet countryside on your way to small-town life in Western North Carolina. Departing from Bryson City, this four-hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back again. Experience a ride through the 836-foot-long Cowee Tunnel and pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford! The trip includes a one-hour and twenty-minute layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than fifty shops, restaurants, a brewery, and country inns. There is time to enjoy a beer, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.
About This Trip
The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion follows the GSMR line east from Bryson City, crossing the river and passing through the small mountain communities of Whittier and Wilmot. Guests then traverse the legendary (and supposedly haunted) Cowee Tunnel before crossing the river a final time and entering the charming town of Dillsboro. Onboard dining is available in First Class by selecting from our First Class Menu and Crown, Coach, and Gondola guests can pre-purchase a lunch option from our Box Lunch Menu to make this a unique dining experience. To make the most of your layover, please refer to the map below for a layout of Dillsboro.
Things To Do
- Innovation Station – Experience one of Western Carolina’s finest breweries at Innovation Station. Have a craft beer while sitting alongside the Tuckasegee River or grab a bite from one of the rotating food truck vendors. See the entire brewing process and chat with the Brewmaster for more insight into this timeless tradition!
- Forager’s Canteen – Stop by Forager’s Canteen for Chef Kevin Faini’s take on Farm to Table cuisine with an eclectic mix of Southern heritage dishes mixed with world cuisines. LOCALS TIP: Order Piggy Planks to-go and take them next door to Innovation for a best-of-both-worlds experience!
- Haywood Smokehouse – Eat Authentic Texas-style BBQ at Haywood Smokehouse. With three locations across Western North Carolina, this is a local favorite. Featuring Briskets smoked for 20 hours, their BBQ is cooked to perfection. Come Hungry!
- Dogwood Crafters – A craft cooperative since 1976, Dogwood showcases the handmade treasures created by regional artisans who continue the old-time Appalachian craft traditions. You’ll also find modern translations of these arts and crafts in unique gifts, jewelry, Christmas ornaments, paintings, home decor, and more.
- Quirky Birds Treehouse Bistro & Front Street Takeout – Quirky Birds Treehouse & Bistro offers live music, indoor and outdoor dining, and a quirky, cozy atmosphere with soulful fare. Sharing their kitchen with Front Street Takeout, visitors can enjoy your Front Street favorites with your favorite Spirits!
- Front Porch General Store Antiques & Vintage Home Goods – This general store is chock full of vintage goods and antiques with some dating as far back as the 1800s. They have something for every budget and every taste! Find the perfect gift or souvenir to mark your visit to Dillsboro and Western NC.
- Nancy Tut’s Christmas Shop – Swing by Nancy Tut’s and their nine rooms full of Christmas ornaments, decor, and souvenirs to get you ready for everything Christmas and commemorate your time with us.
- Tunnel Mountain Crafts – This shop offers the works of over 60 artisans and every item in the shops is handmade by a local artist. Visitors can find a wide range of work including woodwork, oil painting, watercolors, acrylics, pottery, ironwork, painted gourds, fabric items, crocheted and knitted scarves, greeting cards, postcards, and children’s books.
- Horse Feathers Boutique – Horse Feathers is a wonderfully eclectic storefront featuring clothing, jewelry, home decor, and furniture. Every piece is heavily curated and hand-selected. They also feature Heart Coffee Company inside so you can grab a cup of joe or a craft latte while you shop!
- Dillsboro Chocolate Factory – In business since 1999, this family-owned and operated establishment serves some of the best chocolate this side of the Smokies! From their many flavors and styles of fudge to hand-dipped chocolate or cocktail infusion shooters, there is something for every sweets lover!
Itinerary
Below is an outline of this train’s excursion. Please refer to this train’s schedule for exact departure times. Given the nature of railroading, durations are approximate and subject to change without notice.
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Time from Departure
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Activity
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60m before departure
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Please arrive and park at at 45 Mitchell St.
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30m before departure
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Boarding begins at Bryson City Depot
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See schedule for departure time
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Depart Bryson City, NC
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1h 30m
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Arrive at Dillsboro, NC
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1h 30m—2h 50m
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Layover
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2h 50m
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Depart Dillsboro, NC
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4h 00m
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Arrive at Bryson City Depot
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Diesel or Steam
Diesel Powered
True locomotive power is on display with our diesel workhorse engines! Our fleet of GP9, GP7, GP30, and GP38-3 locomotives are the backbone of our railroad. Each engine has the power to pull our full passenger trains through these beautiful mountains, arriving right on time! Enjoy one of our scenic excursions with one of these bad boys leading the way!
Steam Powered
Steam is alive and well in the Great Smoky Mountains, offering year-round passenger excursions with the thrill of rolling through Western North Carolina’s hills and valleys behind a piece of history. Locomotive 1702 dates back to 1942, when the engine was constructed for use by the U.S. Army Transportation Corps during Word War II. Before departure, 1702 will be available for photo opportunities! Take this time to enjoy an up close and personal view of the fully restored engine. On select days, stick around for a live turntable demonstration, where volunteers will be called upon to assist our crew in turning the 353,540-pound engine and tender.
Classes of Service
First Class
Available seasonally. Please check schedule for full details. First Class features assigned seating at a dining table in a climate controlled car with large picture windows. Includes a meal served by a designated car attendant. Everyone receives a souvenir travel mug with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day. Limited bar service available. Seating varies by car. View seating charts during booking for full details.
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First Class Fares
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Diesel
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Steam
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Reg
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Oct
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Reg
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Oct
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Peak
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Adult (21+ Only)
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$114
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$121
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$124
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$131
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$135
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Under 21
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Not Permitted
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Crown Class
Crown Class features assigned seating in a climate controlled car with large picture windows. Everyone over two years old receives a souvenir tumbler with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day. Beer and wine available. Don’t forget to preorder your boxed lunch during booking!
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Crown Class Fares
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Diesel
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Steam
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Reg
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Oct
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Reg
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Oct
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Peak
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Adult (13 + yrs)
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$87
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$94
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$97
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$104
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$108
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Child (2-12 years)
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$72
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$79
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$82
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$89
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$93
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Infant (0-23 mos)
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$19
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$19
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$19
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$19
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$19
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Coach Class
Coach Class features open seating in a historic enclosed car, windows that can be opened for fresh air and photos, and heating or ceiling fans as needed. Don’t forget to preorder your boxed lunch during booking!
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Coach Class Fares
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Diesel
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Steam
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Reg
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Oct
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Reg
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Oct
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Peak
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Adult (13 + yrs)
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$59
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$66
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$69
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$76
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$80
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Child (2-12 years)
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$35
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$40
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$45
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$50
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$55
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Infant (0-23 mos)
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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Coach Plus
Coach Plus features classic train décor with natural wood and sliding windows at every seat. Every section has table and booth style seating allowing four people at a table. This is perfect for families or groups traveling together!
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Coach Plus Fares
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Diesel
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Steam
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Reg
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Oct
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Reg
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Oct
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Peak
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Adult (13 + yrs)
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$69
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$76
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$79
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$86
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$90
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Child (2-12 years)
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$45
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$50
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$55
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$60
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$65
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Infant (0-23 mos)
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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Open Air Gondola
Open Air Gondolas feature open seating in a car with unobstructed views, half-height walls, and a roof above to protect from the elements. Don’t forget to preorder a GSMR fleece blanket for cool mornings and your boxed lunch during booking!
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Open Air Gon Fares
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Diesel
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Steam
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Reg
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Oct
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Reg
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Oct
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Peak
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Adult (13 + yrs)
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$64
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$71
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$74
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$81
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$85
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Child (2-12 years)
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$40
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$45
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$50
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$55
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$60
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Infant (0-23 mos)
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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Class Comparison
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Amenities
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First Class
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Premium Open Air Gondola
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Crown Class
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Coach Plus
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Coach Class
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Open Air Gondola
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Meal Included
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Lunch Available
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Restrooms Available
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Heat
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Air Conditioning
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Assigned Seating
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Souvenir Travel Mug
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Large Picture Windows
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Windows Open/Close
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Ceiling Fans
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Ideal for Photography
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Outward Facing Seats
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Padded Seats
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Tuckasegee Schedule
Booking Policies
Ticket fares subject to 7% Historic Preservation Fee. Schedules, fares, motive power, equipment, seat selection, and meals are subject to change without notice. We guarantee the class of service you select. You will be notified if a change in schedule or motive power affects your reservation. Payment in full at booking by major credit card is required to finalize a reservation. You may cancel your reservation in full or in part and receive a refund less a $14.00 fee per adult ticket and $7.00 fee per child ticket as late as 5 days before departure, except for The Polar Express Train Ride; The Polar Express Train Ride is as late as 60 days before departure. Within 5 days of the departure, or 60 days in the case of the Polar Express Train Ride, the reservation becomes nonrefundable. You may reschedule any time prior to your originally scheduled departure with a $7.00 fee per ticket for another date within the same calendar year. You may not reschedule a reservation after the scheduled departure.
You agree that GSMR General Excursions and Events for which you purchased tickets and/or attended is a public event, that your appearance and actions inside and outside the venue where the Excursion/Event occurs are public in nature, and that you have no expectation of privacy with regard to your actions or conduct at the Event. You hereby irrevocably grant permission to the host railroad, licensor, sponsor(s) and/or their assigns to use, copy, display, distribute, exhibit and utilize your name, image, digital image, likeness, acts, poses, voice, appearance, movements and statements in any live or recorded audio, video or photographic display or other transmission, exhibition, publication or reproduction of same, including at the Excursion/ Event (regardless of whether before, during or after the Excursion/ Event) for any purpose, in any manner, in any medium or context now known or hereafter developed without further authorization from or any compensation to you or anyone acting or entitled to act on your behalf.
