Ep 11. Tweetsie Railroad

The Tracks Ahead season 9 episode 11, Tweetsie Railroad, takes us on a journey to the small mountain town of Blowing Rock in North Carolina to explore one of the oldest and most famous narrow-gauge railroads in the country, the Tweetsie Railroad.

The episode begins with a brief history lesson on the importance of narrow-gauge railroads in the United States, especially in the mountains where full-sized trains couldn't navigate the tight curves and steep grades. We learn that the Tweetsie Railroad was originally built in the late 1800s to transport iron ore from the mountains to the nearby town of Johnson City, Tennessee. However, as the iron industry declined, the railroad was eventually shut down, and the tracks were removed.

Fortunately, a group of local businessmen had the foresight to preserve the railroad's legacy by purchasing two steam locomotives and a handful of passenger cars. They rebuilt a section of the track and turned the old Tweetsie Railroad into a tourist attraction, complete with a Wild West theme park, cowboy reenactments, live music, and more.

The host of the show, Brian Solomon, meets up with the general manager of the Tweetsie Railroad, Cathy Robbins, who takes him on a tour of the park and shows him some of the highlights of the daily operations. We see the Wild West show in action, with cowboys and outlaws engaged in a shootout on the streets of Main Street. Robbins also introduces us to some of the park's animal attractions, including a petting zoo with llamas, goats, pigs, and donkeys, and a deer park where visitors can feed and interact with the gentle deer.

After a brief tour of the park, Solomon gets down to business and climbs aboard the coal-fired steam locomotive no. 12, also known as "Yukon Queen." He's joined by the train's engineer, Rodney Mathews, who explains the workings of the locomotive and how it's heated by a firebox that burns coal. We learn that steam engines are a bit of a dying breed, as they require a lot of maintenance and expertise to operate correctly, but Mathews and his team are dedicated to keeping the old locomotives running.

As the train chugs up the mountain, we see some breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including fields of wildflowers, tall trees, and rocky cliffs. Solomon also takes some time to chat with some of the passengers on board, including a family of four on vacation and a group of seniors who remember riding the Tweetsie Railroad as children.

Towards the end of the episode, we see Solomon exploring the old Tweetsie Railroad depot, which has been converted into a museum. Here, he learns even more about the history of the railroad, including some fascinating artifacts and old photographs. We also see some vintage trains and equipment that have been restored and preserved by the museum staff, giving us a glimpse into the past when narrow-gauge railroads were the lifeline of small mountain communities.

Overall, the Tweetsie Railroad episode of Tracks Ahead is an engaging and informative look at one of America's most unique tourist attractions and a tribute to the hardworking people who keep it running. Whether you're a train enthusiast, a history buff, or just looking for a fun day out with the family, the Tweetsie Railroad has something for everyone.