Scenic Railway rolls into new territory

[NS Newsfeed]

HUNTSVILLE, Tenn. - When the "get-acquainted" trip of the New River Scenic Railway chugged out of its brand-new depot, many of the VIPs on board burst into applause.

That was just the beginning of Friday's 62-mile round-trip deep into some of the most remote parts of Scott, Campbell and Anderson counties.

"It's a gorgeous trip," said 20-year-old conductor Timothy Butler as the two passenger cars gently swayed behind the vintage diesel engine.

"We're trying to capture the essence of historic railroading while showcasing some of the best scenery east of the Mississippi," engineer Michael Brown said.

Passengers gaped and cameras clicked as horses - startled by the train's air horn - galloped through verdant fields.

The guests admired sandstone bluffs towering over the emerald-green New River, stands of bamboo clinging to its banks.

Some snatched glimpses of wildlife, from a duck flying at the train's pace to a shy doe staring at the passing spectacle.

Then, there were the mock moonshiners at trackside, cooking up their latest batch over an open fire while lazily plucking fiddles and guitars.

For Scotty Phillips and Jimmy Byrge, co-founders of the New River Railway Co., Friday's trip ends years of effort to get their train rolling.

It also marks the start of marketing the weekend trips and trying to spur tourism in a seldom-seen part of Appalachia.

"Ventures such as this keep tourism going," said LaFollette City Manager David Young, one of 90 guests on Friday's trip.

He said the excursions would allow the elderly and others to "get deep into the wilderness and see what it's really like."

Friday's excursion wasn't the grand opening for the New River Scenic Railway, said James Taylor, executive director of Friends of the Big South Fork.

Friends, a nonprofit group, seeks to boost the area's economy through tourism and has teamed up with the railroad company to publicize trips.

Taylor said a mid- to late-June grand opening is planned. That's when the railroad's "green" connection will be touted.

In what's likely a first for scenic-excursion trains, the diesel engine will be fueled in part with soybean oil from a new biodiesel plant in Morgan County, officials said.

Meanwhile, trips run Fridays- Sundays, starting from the depot off Howard Baker Highway, or state Highway 63, on the eastern edge of Huntsville, 15 minutes from Exit 141 of Interstate 75.

Reservations may be made by calling the ticket agent at 423-663-8899 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays.

Online ticket sales will start after May 1.

[Backyard]

  Here's a link to the New River Scenic Railway website, viewing the Station List

[Michael Knight]

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