1) Saluda Grade
1) Saluda Grade. The nation's steepest mainline railroad grade is located in this small town near Tryon, NC.
The grade rises as much as 5 feet for more than 100 feet of horizontal travel; normal railroad grades are about one-fifth as steep. The grade was the scene of so many runaway train wrecks at the turn of the century that the bottom was named Slaughter Pen Cut. You can see it all from Saluda's quaint downtown, full of artisan shops and gorgeous mountain views. Plus, the Green River Barbecue offers a tasty snack nearby.
Note: Though this line is out of service, the tracks are still in place and offer a breathtaking reminder of the most dangerous grade in railroad history.
2) Andrews Geyser/Loops
2) Andrews Geyser/Loops. It takes the rail line between Old Fort and Ridgecrest 13 rail-miles to travel a distance that's 3 miles by air.
Several tunnels and numerous bridges over Mill Creek give the rail line the chance to coil and twist to gain elevation in the Pisgah National Forest. A park at Andrews Geyser is a great place to watch. Truly a remarkable sight.
3) Clinchfield Loops
3) Clinchfield Loops. Near Little Switzerland. From atop the Blue Ridge Parkway just north of Little Switzerland, a turnout provides a vantage point from which to watch the CSX line between Spartanburg,
S.C., and Elkhorn City, Ky. climb across the Blue Ridge. Like the loops near Old Fort, the tracks zigzag to gain elevation between Sevier and Altapass.
4) Tweetsie Railroad
4) Tweetsie Railroad. Located in Blowing Rock, it's home to North Carolina's last narrow gauge steam locomotives. The original Tweetsie was the East Carolina and Western North Carolina between Johnson City, Tenn., and Boone. Nicknamed, ``Eat Taters & Wear No Clothes,'' (ET&WNC) the line was abandoned after severe flooding in the late 1940s.
Tweetsie's last remaining steam engine was rescued, and the Robbins family set up the wild west themed amusement park, which is an excellent place to bring kids and family.
Riding the train requires attendees to purchase park tickets, which run $60 for adults and $40 for children, kids 2 and under are free. (Believe us, the steep admission price is worth it!)
Note that the park is only open on weekends between April through October.
Visit the Tweetsie Railroad website here.
Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
5) Salisbury Depot
5) Salisbury Depot. This 1907 Spanish Mission-style building is one of a handful of remaining Frank Milburn-designed stations in the Piedmont.
The Historic Salisbury Foundation restored the depot in 1993, turning the waiting room into a reception hall.
6) Spencer Shops
6) Spencer Shops. This 100-year-old railroad shop complex now houses the state transportation museum. After four years and $8 million in work, the N.C. Transportation Museum's 1924 Roundhouse building is open most days except Mondays and major holidays. Admission costs $6 for adults and $4 for children, or $12 for adults and $8 for children if you're planning to take a train ride.
Visit the NC Transportation Museum site here.
North Carolina Transportation Museum
1 Samuel Spencer Dr
Spencer, NC 28159
(704)-636-2889
7) Hamlet Depot & Museum
7) Hamlet Depot and Museum. This wood 1900 building is an architectural jewel with its giant cupola and sleek red roof. It houses the National Railroad Museum & Hall of fame which memorializes the Seaboard Air Line, whose major junction was at Hamlet. Admission is free!
Visit the Hamlet Depot site here.
Hamlet Depot & Museum
2 Main Street
Hamlet, North Carolina 28345
8) Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
8) Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. This tourist railroad covers some of the most scenic rail lines. The route between Dillsboro and Bryson City provides super views of the Tuckaseegee River and the farming country and a trip through Cowee Tunnel, rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of convict laborers who died during its construction.
The tourist attraction is perfect for families and offers rafting, waterfall tours, ziplining, and lodging at the Stonebrook Lodge.
Visit the GSMR site here.
Be sure to check road closures before you go.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
45 Mitchell St
Bryson City, NC 28713
(800)- 872-4681
9) Nation's longest straight stretch of track
9) The Nations' longest straight stretch of track. Between Laurel Hill and Acme, NC, CSX's line doesn't stray off course for 78 consecutive miles. Stand at grade crossing along the route and the headlight of the oncoming train is visible for several minutes before it comes near. Watch from the small town of Maxton.
10) South carolina Railroad Museum
10) South Carolina Railroad Museum. Located just south of Winnsboro, this is a good representation of what a Southeastern short line was all about. The Rockton & Rion hauled marble from the quarry near here for many years. Today, a small collection of equipment shuttles visitors down the line.
Visit the SCRM Website here.
South Carolina Railroad Museum
110 Industrial Park Road
Winnsboro, SC 29180
(803) 635-9893