Does anyone have new 411 on how things are in North Carolina at the GSMR? I was bored at work and did some searches to see if their construction/turntable/etc had been taking place. Several articles that I came across stated that GSMR was to be receiving FRA money to upgrade track, install turntable, etc. The articles all date to 2005/06.

I know that 1702/722 are still just sitting there...as they have been for years...but how about all of these upgrades to the physical plant itself?

I already have a trip planned to raft and kayak there for 2 weeks in July...and would appreciate feedback.

Thanks

I think they really needed the RIF funds to do those projects. I don't think anything beyond getting the land issues settled has been done for the turntable / shops project.

David Farlow

According to this article http://tinyurl.com/23h2tb8 Al Harper of the GSMR is using the railroad as collateral for a loan to try to save his investment in the bankrupt Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park in Maggie Valley, NC.

Appears that the GSMR will be on the short end of the stick again, as he focuses time and money to try to resurrect Ghost Town.

Jim Tatum.

That's a shame. GSMR USED to be a really nice operation. That article pretty much eliminates any hope of seeing steam there again. In my opinion Ghost Town is nothing but a tacky tourist trap that is never going to make enough of a profit to make that kind of investment back. The demographics that go to amusement parks would much rather go to a place that is not as remote and has more "thrill rides." I would compare Ghost Town to Tweetsie and Dollywood in many respects, but at least both of the later have narrow-gauge steam or I would have absolutely no reason to go at all.

I wish Mr. Harper the best, but am definitely disappointed and more than slightly irritated by this decision.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the last two posts guys.

Kind of makes you wonder how the average taxpayer would feel knowing that their FRA loan for improvements and upgrades hasn't really been utilized...ultimately...for making the railroad even better then it already has been.

I imagine there are many variables...as far as the steam engines are concerned...but there really isn't an excuse for the ownership to gamble the GSMR on GhostTown.

I have visited GhostTown before...and really...really...REALLY...there isn't a prayer in the world to save it. Six Flags can't even manage to turn profits...and their rides, grounds, etc...are MUCH nicer then GhostTown.

I try to imagine...turntables in...at least 2 locations...2 steamers...more consistent speed...aka 20mph...the hotel, the shops...the what could have been.

Wouldn't it be interesting if all this came around to bite Durango & Silverton and Texas State Railroad? Imagine investors and creditors coming after those two operations.

LOL

It seems like a longshot. I see the park going down the drain and dragging the railroad with it. I hope he is smart enough to have his holding structured so the rest of the railroad's don't go down the tubes too.

Al Harper is nobody's fool and runs the most professional marketing enterprise in touriist railroading. Based on a couple unsubstantiated suspicions I'd not assume he's in any more difficulty than any of the rest of us, and probably a whole lot less so than some of us. My gut (based on other unsupported suppositions) is he is committed to the future of tourism in the NC mountains, which seems like a slamdunk to me, and got a chance to grab Ghost Town at a bargain price to eventually turn into what it could be instead of for what it is. I'm not privy to his banking arrangements and therefore find it inappropriate to criticize them.

dave

I didn't realized this was a double thread. Anyway, I was there 2 years ago, and did the two trips that they offer. The train ride was beautiful and scenic along the river, but riding their old tunnel was creepy. The trains I was riding on had diesel power and the units GSMR 711 & GSMR 777. GSMR 1751 was hauling a freight local, which headed east from to the interchange with Norfolk Southern. Both SOU 722 & USA 1702 were pieces while I was there. Here are current photos of their steamers:

Southern 722:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPi ... 134&Page=3

US Army 1702:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/LocoPi ... 992&Page=8

I think about it almost every day!

To my knowledge, the pit in Bryson City that was not originallly fillled (in anticipation for the turntable), was filled in last year to provide additional parking.

This report http://tinyurl.com/2e3zaoy has links to a series of articles about Ghost Town's woes. Looks like the place will remain a money pit, with the additional possibility of liability for the mudslides.

Mr. Harper may well be the marketing genius he is said to be, and I hope he succeeds with Ghost Town. I hated to see him mortgage the GSMR to try to do it.

Jim Tatum.

That could be the reason he was asking not too long for investors to invest in a 50% stake in Texas State Railroad. I do not know if he had any takers though.

The below website has bit more info about Ghost Town and happenings in the last few years.

http://www.screamscape.com/html/ghost_t ... he_sky.htm