Diesel Powered Train Rides

Explore the Smoky Mountain on the Diesel Train

Bryson City, NC, is home to the historic Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, with its diesel locomotives sure to instill a feeling of nostalgia and excite the child at heart with gentle excursions through the Smoky Mountains.Their fleet of locomotives GP9’s , GP7, GP30 and GP38-3 are the backbone of ourthe railroad. Each locomotive has the power to pull their full passenger trains through these beautiful mountains, arriving right on time! Enjoy one of their scenic excursions with one of these bad boys leading the way! For steam-powered train rides, click here.

Diesel Train Schedule and Tickets

Nantahala Gorge Train Excursion

Take a train ride along side the beautiful Nantahala River on the Nantahala Gorge Excursion! Departing from Bryson City, this 4½ hour roundtrip excursion carries you 44 miles to the Nantahala River Gorge and back again arriving at our…

Tuckasegee River Train Excursion

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad – Tuckasegee River Excursion Step aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a relaxing journey through the quiet countryside of Western North Carolina. Departing from Bryson City, this four-hour…

Grab Your Ticket to Ride: 6 Ways to Experience the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

All Aboard! There is something comforting about hearing the whistle of a locomotive as it churns through the center of town. It brings a sense of nostalgia for childhood and days past, as the billowing plumes of steam fill the mountain air and people stop to watch it gently pull into the station.

Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving handcrafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest…

Nantahala Gorge Train Excursion

Nantahala Gorge Excursions depart west from Bryson City, first following Alarka Creek and Fontana Lake. The Fontana Trestle then takes you across the serene Fontana Lake and into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Onboard dining is available in…

Spirits on the Rail

Hop aboard our new Bourbon Train Spirits on the Rail. This is a journey like no other where guests will enjoy three exquisite bourbon drinks paired with a chef-prepared four-course meal. All of this while taking in the breathtaking scenery…

Tuckasegee River Train 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…

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride 2026

All Aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Experience the magic of Christmas on THE POLAR EXPRESS™! This 1¼-hour round-trip journey departs from the Bryson City Depot and whisks you through the serene wilderness…