GSMR 1702 heads back west towards Bryson City across the small fields between the Smokey’s.

Climbing the Distance. Viewed from Barnes Mountain, the morning Nantahala Run climbs adjacent to Ogle Peak on its way to the Nantahala Gorge.

Outbound. The afternoon Nantahala run heads out of town across the Tuckaseegee River on its way to Nantahala Gorge. The GSMR is open and running and about all places in Bryson City and sur... (more)

Making the Grade. The S160 consolidated pulls a long line of passenger cars along side Ogle Knob on the way to the Nantahala Gorge turn on the Saturday morning excursion. Although Bryson C... (more)

GSMR 2-8-0 1702 takes the Saturday afternoon Nantahala Gorge Excursion west along the Murphy Branch as they cross the Tuckasegee River in Bryson City, NC.

Its bright smokebox contrasting nicely with the red, black, and gold adorning the engine, GSMR 1702 leads the 1pm gorge train into the Nantahala Outdoor Center on a bright fall day.

Peeking out from between the shadows cast by the bright fall foliage, GSMR 1702 skirts by Fontana Lake with a long train of passengers enjoying the excellent scenery.

Its bright smokebox shining in the afternoon sun, GSMR 1702 gallops down the jointed-rail, kudzu-lined Murphy Branch.

Looking exactly like a miniature version of Southern 2716, the GSMR's smartly-dressed Consolidation pulls a long train of tourists along Fontana Lake. Passengers will be delighted on this fall day... (more)

Its steam and smoke lingering overhead on this cold morning, GSMR 1702 has a long train in tow as it negotiates the former Southern Murphy Branch in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. ... (more)

At daybreak, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad 1702, stunningly looking more like Southern Railway 2716 (and hopefully retaining this look for several years), barks over the Tuckasegee River with a l... (more)

Great Smokey Mountain Railroad 1702 muscles back west towards Bryson City.

Great Smoky Mountains 2-8-0 leads the westbound train bound for the NOC across the Tuckasegee River at Bryson City, NC.

Fall peak has arrived in western North Carolina as Great Smoky Mountains 2-8-0 #1702 heads west out of Bryson City with the railroad’s ever popular Nantahala Gorge Excursion.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad 1702 leading the Nantahala Gorge Excursion in the Nantahala Gorge