In October 2016, GSMR 1702 was incredibly busy hauling passengers along the scenic Tuckaseegee and Nantahala Rivers for its first fall season in over a decade. The engine was operating almost every day of the month, running to Nantahala on the weekends and Dillsboro during the week, and putting on a great show as it climbed along the old Murphy Branch. I chased the train twice, from Dillsboro to Bryson City on October 11 as fall was just arriving the mountains, and from Bryson City to the Gorge on the 23rd.
LOCATIONS:
0:39 WBI Drive, Dillsboro
2:34 Barkers Creek Rd, Barkers Creek
4:04 Thomas Valley Rd, Whittier
6:12 Depot St/Main St, Whittier
6:30 US 19, Ela
8:30 US 19, Bryson City
10:50 Jacobs Rd, Bryson City
12:40 NC 28, Almond
13:52 Nantahala Outdoor Center, US 19/74, Wesser
15:30 US 19/74
17:17 Hewitts Rd, Hewitt