The wife and I want to take a scenic train trip somewhere in the southeastern US. Any suggestions? Thanks

only thing really going is the silver service/palmetto

There used to be a dinner train in this area -- board, have a scenic trip with dinner served, return to the same place.

The right of way has since been paved over for a walking / jogging / bicycling trail, so that doesn't do you much good.

It's not a long ride, and you'll have to go to Bryson City, but my wife and I have taken this ride and it's beautiful country. Goes out on the shores of the Natahala Gorge and Lake Fontana.

http://www.gsmr.com/

The wife and I took the GSMR trip mentioned above. It was pretty nice. It is close driving distance to you. We did it during a vacation to the Asheville area.
There is also one in Blue Ridge. Haven't taken that one yet but the daughter has and they said it was nice.
one thing to consider is if the train has an "adults only" car. May be slightly more cost but not prohibitive and certainly worth it to us when available.

I have a book, Guide to North America's Tourist Railways and Museums, that is very informative. I think we bought it either at the GSMR depot or in Colorado at the Durango Silverton Narrow gauge shop. You can probably find it on line to buy or I can loan you ours if you like.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Huffman:
It's not a long ride, and you'll have to go to Bryson City, but my wife and I have taken this ride and it's beautiful country. Goes out on the shores of the Natahala Gorge and Lake Fontana.

http://www.gsmr.com/

I just noticed where you're from. The wife and I vacationed up there last fall for several days. It was going to be a week but cut short by a hurricane heading towards home. We'll be back with our 2 boxers this fall probably.

In the fall, there is the scenic New River Train trips through the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia. They are day-trips. www.newrivertrain.com

quote:

Originally posted by BOATTRASH1:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Huffman:
It's not a long ride, and you'll have to go to Bryson City, but my wife and I have taken this ride and it's beautiful country. Goes out on the shores of the Natahala Gorge and Lake Fontana.

http://www.gsmr.com/

I just noticed where you're from. The wife and I vacationed up there last fall for several days. It was going to be a week but cut short by a hurricane heading towards home. We'll be back with our 2 boxers this fall probably.

My email is in my profile. Please let me know if you make it back into this area.

The Big South Fork is nice.
Wish it were a longer ride.
https://bsfsry.com

This might be kind of fun. I've never taken it, but somehow I ended up on their mailing list.

http://fireup611.org

How about taking the City of New Orleans from Memphis to NOLA?

It has been too long ago to give specifics but the wife and I have taken rides originating form Etowah TN, Nashville and Bryson City, and probably a couple I'm forgetting over the years.

We enjoyed them all. The one thing most seem to have in common is multiple trips offered from the same origin. We always opt for the longest available as they seem to be over soon enough as it is.

I assume you have already done the Stone Mountain RR loop?

are you a triple A member?

I've heard that the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is nice. Only 4 hours though, maybe shorter than what you're looking for.

http://www.brscenic.com/

quote:

Originally posted by jaaron11:
I've heard that the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is nice. Only 4 hours though, maybe shorter than what you're looking for.

http://www.brscenic.com/

My wife and I did this one.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
are you a triple A member?

Not AAA, Not AA, Hell, I may not even be A.

John's creek has a AAA office.

If its like ours , they have a seven foot tall wall by 20 foot wide, sea of train travel brochures , catalogs, tours and guide books.

Next time you are up that way , maybe drop in and see if you can peruse , for a bit