2007 Doe River Gorge Fall Color
Train Excursion

Recommended Reading:
"Railroads Across North America" by Claude Wiatrowski
. . . Click on image at left to learn more

"From the first steam-powered locomotives of the early nineteenth century to the high-speed commuter trains of today, the American railroad has been a great engine powering the nations growth. This book celebrates the glory and grandeur of that legacy with a lavish tour of the history of the American railroad. Generously illustrated with vintage photographs, modern images, maps, timetables, tickets, brochures, and all manner of memorabilia, the volume offers a fascinating look at the rail industry's beginnings and development, as well as its place in American history."
    ~ Book Description from Amazon.com

Each year, part of the Doe River Gorge is opened up to the public for a train ride on the old East Tennessee and Western North Carolina (Tweetsie) railroad tracks. These tracks are high above the Doe River on partially hand-carved routes.

" Tweetsie, officially the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad (ET&WNC), was the first railroad to cross the Blue Ridge. She opened up mountain country which had known only isolation and remoteness since the days of the Indian War whoop and the stockaded settlement. Of Boone, North Carolina, they say, "Before Tweetsie came, the only way to get to Boone was to be born there." Tweetsie came to the mountains in the 1880s. She made her last scheduled run in 1950."
    ~ "Tweetsie the Blue Ridge Stemwinder" by Julian Scheer and Elizabeth McD. Black

The property is owned by Doe River Gorge Ministries. According to their website (see link below DoeRiverGorge.com):
"The Doe River Gorge Property extends over three miles of beautiful wilderness made up of rugged mountains, picturesque woods, a pristine mountain lake and sprawling green fields, all broken by the rolling Doe River and a restored 19th century railroad. Various hiking trails and lookout points range throughout the gorge, flanked by numerous varieties of native and endangered plant species and wildlife. The property and its facilities provide a backdrop designed to promote an atmosphere of fun, adventure, acceptance and love, wherein young people may build lasting memories and friendships, explore newfound skills and journey to intimacy with the God who created it all."

The train runs several days throughout the summer for the public. These days are announced in local newspapers. Doe River Gorge is just outside Elizabethton and Hampton and a 30-minute trip from Boone, North Carolina, which was the endpoint of the original Tweetsie route.

By next summer there will be a steam engine moving along the old Tweetsie tracks in the Doe River Gorge, pulling visitors along this astonishing piece of history and beauty. If you get a chance to make the trip, don't pass it up.

Also at the site is "Doe Ridge Outfitters" a store offering clothing and supplies for Doe River water adventures. For information about Doe River Gorge call (423) 725-4010.

Links to references in this article:

• DoeRiverGorge.com
• Appalachian Voices
• RaftInfo.com ~ Tennessee
• Cy Crumley Scrapbook - 2006 Fall Excursion Photos
• You Tube - 2006 Fall Excursion Photos