While having lunch across the street, I stepped away from the table for this grab shot of a very fast moving short southbound. With a tasty and cheap burger joint (the S&S grill), the old depot, a... (more)

After a 2.5 mile hike up the tracks from Hampton, we reach the first bridge over the Doe River in the Gorge. Barely visible through the trees is the darkness of tunnel #4 across the river. Needles... (more)

This is the spot where the famous "Tweetsie" entered the Doe River Gorge in a tunnel directly behind where I'm standing. Now the Doe River Campground offers occasional rides into the first mile of... (more)

One of GSMR's 4 GP's shows off its new green paint scheme next to the Bryson City depot. Earlier in the day the unit handled the run to Dillsboro then awaited the 6:30pm arrival of the train from ... (more)

Downtown Bryson City is all decked out for the fall tourist season as a surprisingly well patronized weekday train rolls in from the Nantahala Gorge after sunset. The conductor eyes the approachin... (more)

Here's a relic new to RP: Little River Shay 2147, distant cousin of the much more famous LRR 4-6-2 #110 now operating in MI. The 2147 is a 70 ton model built in 1909 and is the centerpiece of this... (more)

After being down for a season for a tender rebuild, Cass's Heisler warms herself by the coal stove while she waits for some finishing touches before her own fire is lit.

One can only imagine how many Shays this oil can has helped grease up over the years. Here it sits forlorn on the frame of Shay 2, torn down for a complete rebuild.

Shay 11 goes about switching the yard while the ruins of the old say mill sink slowly into nature nearby.

When coal is plentiful, there is only one way to heat the shop! This series is dedicated to the under appreciated side of railroading.

Man and his machine: veteran Cass engineer Danny Seldomridge checks over his charge prior to a trip up the mountain.

The glamorous part of the days is done, all the photo runbys are complete, and the railfans are headed for dinner, but the day is far from over. Now the paper work begins for the conductors, and t... (more)

When the last scoop of coal is thrown in the boiler and the engines are put to bed for the night, there is a few moments for a short break amongst the hulks of torn down engines. Time for a more s... (more)