After an absence of nearly twelve years, regular steam operation has returned to GSMR as the recently rehabilitated 1702 leads a Saturday evening dinner train west out of Bryson City.

The first night photo shoot with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad No. 1702 since the locomotive's return to service in July 2016.

Having just departed Bryson City, 1702 struggles on the slick rails departing town. Two diesels are also giving a push on the rear of this weekend gorge excursion train.

Back in active duty again and looking good as it leads a tourist train out to Nantahala Gorge and here crossing the Tuckasegee River.

GSMR 777 leads the Wizard of Oz train past a campground near Bryson City NC

The summer days are long... the Tuck Trains are not.

GSMR 1751 leads the day's Tuck Train around the bend at Ela. A female passenger has booked the day's locomotive cab ride.

So back in October I took a trip to the GSMR and I got to say I like there railroad excursions that they have. Here is GSMR 711 waiting while people board the train.

GSMR GP7 #711 has just completed another round trip to Dillsboro, North Carolina through the scenic Tuckasegee River Gorge on a chilly January afternoon

A light rain falls as the westbound Polar Express returns through Ela, NC returning from the first run of the night to the North Pole (aka Whitter, NC).

The westbound Polar Express returns to Bryson City after it's second run to the North Pole (Whitter, NC) on this wet December evening.

Coupled to a MOW flat car, GSMR 711 sits on a siding in Bryson City, NC.

A GSMR train pulls to a stop at the depot in Bryson City, NC as a chilly rain coats Smoky Mountains (and me) on a November afternoon.