Great Smoky Mountains Railroad 1702: The Nantahala Queen

Описание: At the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, lies a heritage railroad, not too far from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad makes use of the old Southern Murphy Branch and owns 53 miles of track, operating excursions from Dillsboro to Nantahala. The Nantahala Gorge Excursion originates in Bryson City and offers scenic views for those on board, crossing Fontana Lake via a 780 foot-long trestle and paralleling the Nantahala River. For certain months throughout the summer, the GSMR brings out their very own operational steam locomotive, 1702, to pull these excursions. The consolidation is tasked with pulling at least 17-car long trains and more often that not, requires a diesel assist on the rear. Despite this, the 1702 is put to the test, especially in the upper gorge, where passengers can experience a hint of the grueling Red Marble Grade.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad 1702 is a USATC (United States Army Transportation Corps.) S-160 class consolidation steam locomotive. The stocky 2-8-0 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1942 and intended for export to Europe during the Second World War. Although this was not the case, as 1702 never went overseas, eventually being pressed into service at the Fort Bragg Military Base. She faithfully served the United States until 1961, when she was retired. In 1964, 1702 was sold to the Reader Railroad in Arkansas, where she underwent many cosmetic upgrades, operating until 1972, pulling the last regularly-scheduled mixed train in the US before being put into storage. 1702 would have a stint of operating time at the Fremont & Elkhorn Valley Railroad from 1986 to 1991, when she was purchased by the GSMR. She ran from 1991 to 2004, when she was again put into storage until her most recent restoration, which was from 2012 to 2016. 1702 has been operational since then, pulling both the Tuckasegee River and Nantahala Gorge excursions.

Locations:
0:00 Tuckasegee River Bridge
1:55 Robinson Gap
2:49 Jackson Line
4:03 Dehart Mill Road
4:58 Along Fontana Lake
5:50 Almond
8:03 Milepost 81
9:27 Jump Rock
11:15 Nearby Milepost 85
11:56 Hewitts
14:34 Nantahala, NC

Special Thanks:
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
The Crew of GSMR 1702
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Bryson City
My Family

Filmed on July 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 25th, 2021
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