Guide to the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

When you’re touring to North Georgia, you’re greater than probably planning to expertise its many out of doors pursuits — like climbing, swimming, or fly fishing — discover the realm’s spectacular roster of wineries and breweries, or cozy up in a mountainside cabin. There’s additionally a excessive likelihood you’re all for a classic prepare that snakes alongside the picturesque Toccoa River.

Positioned within the Appalachian foothills, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway has been bringing passengers on its scenic 26-mile, round-trip route since 1998. Yearly, greater than 150,000 vacationers board the classic rail vehicles (a few of that are from the early twentieth century) to make their method from the depot in Blue Ridge, Georgia to the sibling cities of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee. Well-known for its views of the river, wildlife, and the pure magnificence discovered between State Routes 5 and 60, the prepare trip is a memorable expertise for all ages.

Right here’s how you can plan your journey aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.

Journey Particulars 

The round-trip journey begins and ends in Blue Ridge, Georgia, one of many best mountain towns in the Peach State. After boarding the prepare on the depot, situated at 241 Depot St., passengers depart for the sibling cities of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, which border each other alongside every state’s line.

Every leg of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway’s journey takes about an hour, and vacationers can choose to embark on both the usual four-hour journey or the specific two-hour journey. Each make the most of the identical route, with the longer journey together with a two-hour layover in McCaysville and Copperhill. Throughout this time, passengers can have lunch, store, and discover the cities. When the prepare reaches McCaysville and Copperhill on the two-hour journey, there’s only a 10-minute time interval when the engineer switches to the engine on the opposite aspect of the prepare; passengers stay onboard.

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway runs all through nearly all of the 12 months — from early March via the start of January — however there’s little question that autumn is probably the most wonderful time to trip. E book your journey anytime between Sept. 21 and Nov. 6 to get a glimpse of the autumn foliage; to see it at its peak, purpose for late October.

Ticket Data 

Most tickets for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway could be bought online, and it’s all the time really helpful to ebook prematurely — significantly in case you’re hoping to trip within the peak fall months or through the vacation season. Reservations for the handicap-accessible automobile, nevertheless, are booked via a ticket agent by calling 877-413-8724.

In keeping with the railway, tickets are likely to promote out many weeks (and even months) beforehand, so it’s very probably you wouldn’t have the ability to snag a ticket day of. A ticket assigns every passenger to a automobile, however seating is first-come, first-served. When you’re touring in a gaggle and hoping to take a seat collectively, the railway suggests arriving on the sooner aspect (boarding begins half-hour earlier than departure).

Ticket costs change barely relying on the time of 12 months, passenger age, and job title  — academics, first responders, and members of the navy can get discounted tickets. Within the spring, a two-hour coach ticket prices $30.99 for kids (ages 2 to 12), and the usual grownup ticket (ages 13 to 65+) prices $42.99. The four-hour journey prices $37.99 and $54.99 for a kid and grownup coach ticket, respectively. Premier tickets, that are solely for passengers 18 and over, run between $94.99 and $99.99 per individual from March via Might.

Within the fall, costs improve barely; a round-trip coach ticket will price anyplace from $45.99 to $59.99 for a two-hour trip, and tickets for the longer journey vary from $52.99 for a kid ticket and $74.99 for an grownup coach ticket to $119.99 for a premier seat. It’s essential to notice that premier class tickets aren’t accessible on any two-hour rides or particular vacation rides.

What to Count on on Board 

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway options 4 several types of vehicles: open-air coaches, an open-air handicap-accessible coach, closed coaches, and the premier automobile. Irrespective of which one you ebook, you’ll get to see the sights from the consolation of padded seats and have the flexibility to entry restrooms. Whereas the open-air vehicles present the most effective views (the bench seats face out), they don’t have any heating or air con; vinyl home windows, nevertheless, are put in within the colder months to assist with warmth retention. Passengers are additionally required to change sides of the prepare for the return journey, giving everybody the chance to correctly absorb the fantastic thing about the Toccoa River.

When you really feel a bit peckish through the trip, head to the concession automobile, which has popcorn, soda, and sweet accessible for buy. These within the premier automobile may take pleasure in limitless non-alcoholic drinks and a catered snack, alongside receiving a complimentary group picture and a tote bag (one per reservation). Smoking and alcohol aren’t allowed at any time, and authorized service animals are the one pets welcome aboard the prepare.

What to See In the course of the Layover in McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee

When you’ve ever needed to face in two states on the similar time, now’s your probability. All it’s important to do is spot the hard-to-miss “Blue Line” on the town, which marks the border between Georgia and Tennessee. When you’ve snapped a photograph or two, it’s time to go to the primary avenue, in any other case often known as Toccoa-Ocoee Avenue (it’s Toccoa Avenue in Georgia and turns into Ocoee Avenue in Tennessee). Right here, you’ll discover all kinds of scrumptious eating places, cafes, galleries, and native outlets, a lot of that are present in McCaysville’s Riverwalk Shops.

For American fare (assume fried pickles, rooster tenders, and burgers) loved overlooking a photo-ready metal bridge, seize lunch at Burra Burra; if pizza is extra your velocity, Twisted Tomato is correct subsequent door. Whilst you’re on the McCaysville aspect,  pop into the McCaysville Visitor Center to see some native artwork, or store round Blue Ridge Adventure Wear, Deaf Man Vinyl, and The Pasta Market. After crossing the river into Copperhill, make the rounds to some native favorites, together with Mountain Altitude Designs, Fat Raccoon Gallery, Copperhill Brewery, and Yellowbird Coffee Shop.

Seasonal and Vacation Prepare Rides

There’s technically no dangerous time to hop on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, however there are a couple of significantly distinctive rides all year long. In July, there’s a one-day Firecracker Special Ride, the place the two-hour layover is reserved for watching the fireworks present in McCaysville and Copperhill. Fall rides, unsurprisingly, are extraordinarily well-liked, given the seasonal present the altering leaves are identified for.

Come December, passengers can embark on Holiday Special Rides — both the one-hour Vacation Specific Tour or the four-hour Vacation Pavilion Tour (which incorporates the usual two-hour layover). Each rides are accented by vacation music, a telling of “The Night time Earlier than Christmas,” and sizzling chocolate from the concession automobile. Youthful passengers are additionally gifted a Blue Ridge Scenic Railway jingle bell and a sweet cane. Much more pleasure arises with the possibility to see Santa Claus.

What to Know About Blue Ridge, Georgia

Once you’re planning your journey aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, be sure to save lots of time on both aspect of the journey to discover Blue Ridge and the encircling space. The mountain city is understood for its charming shops, wonderful breweries, wineries, eating places, and unparalleled entry to out of doors adventures (it’s situated within the “trout capital of Georgia”). When you can swing a protracted weekend, ebook a room on the Blue Ridge Inn Bed & Breakfast, the place you’ll begin every morning with a basic Southern breakfast. Plus, it’s situated proper downtown — instantly throughout from the prepare depot.