Tweetsie Railroad | Blowing Rock, North Carolina
The Tweetsie Railroad is a small theme park in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, centered around a 36" narrow-gauge steam railway that runs on a 3-mile loop. During the ride, the train stops for an old-time Wild West–themed show. The name "Tweetsie Railroad" comes from the nickname for the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad, which once operated a 36" gauge line from Johnson City, Tennessee, to Boone, North Carolina. Tweetsie Railroad Park owns and operates the only surviving narrow-gauge steam locomotive from the ET&WNC, Steam Locomotive #12. Locomotives #12 and #190 typically rotate throughout the season.
The park’s founder, Grover Robbins, also created the Rebel Railroad attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which eventually became the present-day Dollywood Theme Park. Dollywood still operates the original railroad, now called the Dollywood Express. One of Dollywood's steam locomotives, #192, is the sister locomotive of Tweetsie Railroad #190.
In addition to the train ride, Tweetsie Railroad offers classic amusement park attractions such as a tilt-a-whirl, Ferris wheel, and scrambler, as well as a scenic chairlift up the mountain where visitors can enjoy a petting zoo and a custom narrow-gauge train ride/dark ride.
While the park primarily attracts families with children, the railroad is a must-see for railfans. The locomotives are hand-fired, coal-burning, and work hard pulling the train up the grades along the route. Many of the photos on this page were taken during Tweetsie’s Railroad Heritage Weekend, an annual event that features the operation of both steam locomotives, special photo opportunities, and the chance to ride behind an authentic narrow-gauge wooden coach.
Steam Locomotive #12 is a 36" gauge 4-6-0 built by Baldwin for the ET&WNC Railroad in 1917.
Steam Locomotive #190 is a 36" gauge 2-8-2 built by Baldwin for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps in 1943, later owned and operated by the White Pass & Yukon Railroad in Alaska.
The White Pass & Yukon Railroad still operates out of Skagway, Alaska. Check out STEAM BY STATE for more information on #190’s past home.
Click here to go back to the THEME PARK STEAM list.
The park’s founder, Grover Robbins, also created the Rebel Railroad attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which eventually became the present-day Dollywood Theme Park. Dollywood still operates the original railroad, now called the Dollywood Express. One of Dollywood's steam locomotives, #192, is the sister locomotive of Tweetsie Railroad #190.
In addition to the train ride, Tweetsie Railroad offers classic amusement park attractions such as a tilt-a-whirl, Ferris wheel, and scrambler, as well as a scenic chairlift up the mountain where visitors can enjoy a petting zoo and a custom narrow-gauge train ride/dark ride.
While the park primarily attracts families with children, the railroad is a must-see for railfans. The locomotives are hand-fired, coal-burning, and work hard pulling the train up the grades along the route. Many of the photos on this page were taken during Tweetsie’s Railroad Heritage Weekend, an annual event that features the operation of both steam locomotives, special photo opportunities, and the chance to ride behind an authentic narrow-gauge wooden coach.
Steam Locomotive #12 is a 36" gauge 4-6-0 built by Baldwin for the ET&WNC Railroad in 1917.
Steam Locomotive #190 is a 36" gauge 2-8-2 built by Baldwin for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps in 1943, later owned and operated by the White Pass & Yukon Railroad in Alaska.
The White Pass & Yukon Railroad still operates out of Skagway, Alaska. Check out STEAM BY STATE for more information on #190’s past home.
Click here to go back to the THEME PARK STEAM list.
