Tweetsie Railroad invites steam enthusiasts to join its annual Railroad Heritage Weekend on August 24 and 25, a celebration that honors a century of narrow-gauge steam locomotive heritage.
“This event is a highlight of our year,” said Chris Robbins of Tweetsie Railroad. “It uniquely showcases the park’s history and the legacy of the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad (ET&WNC).”
The weekend offers a rare opportunity to see both of Tweetsie Railroad’s narrow-gauge steam locomotives in action simultaneously. Locomotive No. 12, known as “Tweetsie,” will pull an 1870s vintage coach car, recreating the authentic ET&WNC Railroad experience. Meanwhile, Locomotive No. 190, the “Yukon Queen,” will take guests on a traditional Wild West adventure. A special highlight is the Sunday morning “double-header,” where both locomotives run in tandem.
READ MORE: ‘My friend and I are size 24 and 28 – we test rides at theme parks to see if they are fat-friendly’
“If you love trains, this is one weekend you don’t want to miss,” Robbins added. Beyond the train rides, guests can tour Tweetsie Railroad’s Locomotive Shop and Memorabilia Room, offering a rare glimpse into the maintenance and preservation of these historic machines.
Unique Experiences Await
Railroad Heritage Weekend provides exclusive experiences, including the double-header train ride and tours of the Locomotive Shop, where visitors can see firsthand the efforts to keep these vintage steam locomotives operational.
For detailed schedules and ticket prices, visit Tweetsie.com.
Tweetsie Railroad’s Locomotive Shop
The Locomotive Shop at Tweetsie Railroad is essential for maintaining the park’s vintage locomotives. As the official source for Crown Locomotive Parts, the shop also handles locomotive rebuilds, restoration, and steam locomotive parts, preserving the art and romance of steam-powered travel.
About Tweetsie Railroad
Since 1957, Tweetsie Railroad has been North Carolina’s first theme park, offering families unforgettable Wild West adventures. Visitors enjoy an interactive journey into the Old West behind a historic narrow-gauge steam locomotive. The park features live shows, classic amusement rides, a Deer Park Zoo, gem mining, and more.
Operating Hours and Admission
Tweetsie Railroad operates from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day Monday through October 27. Nighttime operations include Ghost Train® and Tweetsie Christmas®.
Daytime admission is $60 for adults (ages 13+), $40 for children (ages 3-12), and free for children 2 and under. Golden Rail Season Passes are available for $140 for adults and $100 for children. Parking is free.
