Train History

There is something romantic about an approaching train moving along the tracks. The sight of it and the sounds you hear will surely bring back a memory or two. The original main line was built to Murphy, North Carolina, which was reached in late 1886. The builders intended to continue until they reached Knoxville, Tennessee, but in 1887, the plans were changed as Knoxville and Blue Ridge were ultimately connected via a slightly different but much more exciting route via the Hiawassee River gorge. At Talking Rock, Georgia, the line originally made an unusual 180-degree change in direction through a very sharp horseshoe-shaped curve dubbed "the hook" by train crews. The curve was so sharp that crews claimed that if the conductor's cigar went out in the caboose, he had only to wait until the train got to the "hook", because he could merely lean out and get a light from the engineer. Railroads played a significant role in the development of this area between the 1800's and the early 1900's, in that they determined the routes of local roads, saved an ailing mining industry, contributed to the growth of small towns as resort communities, and made it possible to log the last remaining virgin timber in the area. In 1896, the Marietta & North Georgia Railroadwas purchased and renamed the Atlanta, Knoxville& Northern, and in 1902 was sold yet again, taking on the new owner's name, the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, in 1905. Name changes came fast and furious after the 1960's; "Family Lines", "Seaboard System", and finally "CSX" in the 1980's. But bythis time, passenger service had long since been terminated, with the line continuing on as a freightcarrier. In 1990, the line was put up for sale, and a group of local investors stepped in to preserve rail service into north Georgia. As a result, passenger trains are operating once again into the beautiful north Georgia mountains. Since excursion service began operating in 1998, the train has been staffed with dedicated volunteer Car Hosts from all over the surrounding area. Each host is required to attend training classes before serving. Some of our hosts spend the weekend in the mountains and others sign up on a per-trip basis. IF YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SERVING AS A CAR HOST, please call the Ticket Office (800-934-1898 or 706-632-9833) for more information,or send us an E-mail. brcrew@tds.net Rolling Stock

Locomotive #2097 Model # GP7 1,500 HP Built 1951 for Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad

Locomotive #4125 Model GP20 2,000 HP Built 1961 for Southern Pacific Railroad

Coaches 106/105 Coach 106 was one of 42 10-roomette 6 bedroom sleepers (ten-six sleepers) built by Pullman Standard and delivered to the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad September of 1949. They carried the name "Orient" until purchased by the Canadian National (CN) Railroad in 1967 when FEC cut passenger service. they were then named "Grande Riviere" and eventually converted to present long-distance coach configuration. Later CN sold them to Bangor & Aroostock Railroad where they were renamed 106 and 105. In 2001 they were acquired by BRSR to be used as first class service. Originally powered by 114 volt batteries train line to car with same voltage and was converted to AC by BRSR. These 80ft. cars seat 50 passengers each. Coach 2705 Coach 2705 was purchased from the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) when it was retired in 1999. It has its own generator for heat and air conditioning. In 1954, the LIRR ordered 25 120-seat commuter cars from Pullman-Standard. An additional 35 identical cars were ordered in June, 1055. Some cleaning was performed and modifications made to fit the consist. Several of the seats were removed to allow more leg room than was needed for a commuter. The seats were used in Coach 332 to make it more comfortable. BRSR #2929 Open-Air Car Blue Ridge Scenic Railway purchased the car earlier this year from the Long Island Railroad in New York, where it was previously used as a commuter car. Torches were used to remove the car's 24 double windows and to cut larger openings in order to widen the view. Extra support posts were welded in place as well as safety rails along the sides to fully transform it to an open-air car. Existing seats were removed and replaced with steel-framed padded benches that run lengthwise through the middle of the car. The car is also equipped with a vestibule that allows passengers to access other areas of the train, such as restrooms and the commissary car. GSM #697 Open-Air Car Purchased by Blue Ridge Scenic Railway from the Great Smoky Mountains Railway. Converted from a box car by Great Smoky Mountains Railway. CSXT #972332 Purchased by Blue Ridge Scenic Railway after being retired from service by CSX Transportation. Built late 1940's by Pullman for the Louisville & Nashville RR. Retired in the 1970's and converted to work train service as a bunk car. Utilized by CSX as a bunk car for wreck train personnel until retirement in the 1990's. Restored to coach service in 1998. NRHX #549 Purchased by Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in 1998 from Greensboro, North Carolina chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Built 1938 by Budd Mfg. for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. Operated in various passenger train assignments including the famous Santa Fe Super Chief operating between Chicago and Los Angeles until being sold to Penn Central Railroad. Last regular service was with New Jersey Transit in commuter service into New York City until being retired and sold to the Greensboro, North Carolina chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. #150 Car #150 was originally built for New Haven, Connecticut Railroad, in 1923 by Osgood Bradley Company which was taken over by Pullman later. This car was purchased by Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in 1998 from Gettysburg Railroad.