The best way to impress the public: Show up with your locomotive and bring Cheerwine!

Thanks to our friends at GSMR for the second annual invite to their party. It is a good show and I hope you can make it. It's nice to be able to bring and old Murphy Branch engine back to the scene of her working career. Jim

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dillsboro, NC
1-800-872-4681 www.gsmr.com

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Hosts "RAILFEST 2004"
September 10 - 12, 2004
Historic Bryson City Depot Site for Three Day Festival

For Immediate Release

The fourth annual RAILFEST in Bryson City kicks off Friday at noon with the
expanded MOUNTAIN CRAFT FAIR and the CSA Main Stage with expanded free
entertainment. Friday afternoon includes well-known local entertainers
presenting a variety of music including Scottish and Celtic performances.
There will be a special presentation by "Catch the Spirit of Appalachia"
telling the story in art and song of the settling of the Smoky Mountains.
The expanded Mountain Craft Fair will include over 60 vendors demonstrating
and selling their authentic hand made crafts.

This festival gathering for rail and history fans alike is an opportunity
to ride special excursions, see railroad memorabilia and experience the
music of the rails with the popular Buckingham Lining Bar Gang. They'll
sing the songs of yesterday's gandy dancers while aligning track throughout
the day both Saturday and Sunday. This is their fourth appearance at
GSMRR's RAILFEST.

New at RAILFEST this year is the Heritage Alive! Mountain Youth Talent
Contest for local children culminating in the spectacular winners' Jamboree
on Saturday. The Depot Band will appear on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
The Glory Singers complete the entertainment on Sunday highlighting their
Gospel favorites. All entertainment events are free of charge to the
general public.

The three day event kicks off Friday featuring a special excursion at six
pm, the "Wet Your Whistle" Reception departing out of Bryson City with a
buffet supper; the Mystery Theatre Dinner Train departs from Dillsboro at
7:30.

Saturday and Sunday events begin at 9:00am at the Bryson City depot. The
Motor Car Collection by "Rail Dawg" excursions returns by popular demand.
The visiting Southern Railway GP-30 Diesel Locomotive, No. 2601, on loan
from the NC Transportation Museum, will make three special trips out of
Bryson City at 10 am, 12 Noon, and 2pm on Saturday to the Jackson Line Gap west of Bryson City.
The Tuckasegee River Excursion will feature the No.1702 Steam Locomotive
from Dillsboro to Bryson City at 1pm Saturday. The 62-year-old steam engine
will pull the Jackson Line runs on Sunday afternoon. On Sunday both the No.
1702 Steam Locomotive and the visiting No. 2601 Electric Diesel will
transport the Photo Special from Dillsboro to Andrews over the Red Marble
Gap. The
Engines will switch out at Bryson City. The Nantahala Gorge Excursion
departs Bryson City at 9am all three days and the Saturday evening Gourmet
Dinner Train departs Dillsboro at 7:30 pm.

Children will have fun, too, at RAILFEST. They can experience the Bouncy
Train and Giant Slide as well as ride the LLL Express sponsored by
Operation Lifesaver. These activities are also free of charge.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers both steam and diesel train
excursions through the scenic mountains and colorful countryside of western
North Carolina. For additional information and advance reservations
please call 800-872-4681 or 828-586-8811 or at the website, www.gsmr.com
.



http://nctrans.org
Wrinnbo@aol.com

> The best way to impress the public: Show up
> with your locomotive and bring Cheerwine!

In my best Homer Simpson voice (complete with drool):

"Mmmm. Cheerwine....."

One of many things I miss about the South. Have to figure out a way to trade Vernors to someone in the Carolinas for Cheerwine every few months or so, as well as for Biltmore Estate Wine. Interested Jim?

TJG


tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

Looks good Jim, I'm looking forward to it. I had a great time last year. I think the spirit of cooperation between GSMR and NCTM is great. When is the 2601 being moved to Dillsboro?

higginson_john@hotmail.com

> spirit of cooperation between GSMR and NCTM
> is great. When is the 2601 being moved to
> Dillsboro?

You know: I'd rather laugh with my friends and make something happen than cry alone! The GSMR folks are good people and it's about to get even better! Since I grew up just over the hill from Dillsboro, I'm always glad to see the Murphy Branch doing well.

I think, cross fingers and toes, that the NS will be out for our diesel master mechanic, Donnie Smith, to do an inspection Friday so she should be moving in the next week or so. Jim

http://nctrans.org
Wrinnbo@aol.com