GSMR officials planning Bryson City expansion

By Rose Hooper

But none of that expansion means the train is pulling out of Dillsboro, railroad officials told members of the Dillsboro town board during a luncheon meeting earlier this month.

The meeting was called to dispel rumors that the train plans to move its entire operation to Bryson City, said Dillsboro Mayor Jean Hartbarger.

"As far as our moving, nothing could be further from the truth," GSMR General Manager Jon Schlegel said last week during an interview at his Dillsboro office. "Our owners, American Heritage, paid three-quarters of a million dollars this year for our office in Dillsboro. I think that shows a commitment to the town."

Meanwhile in Bryson City, GSMR has purchased property along Everett Street, including Carolina Building Supply and the old Barclay complex, and expects to close next month on the former Bryson City Coal and Lumber property.

Locked in on one side by the Tuckaseigee River and with no room for either a balloon or "Y"-shaped track for changing directions, locomotives from Dillsboro travel in only one direction. Having to run backwards on return trips causes extreme wear on the locomotives, Schlegel said.

"Plus, the sun affects the paint and window glass only on one side of the train," he said, "and we've been pointed in one direction now for 13 years."

A turntable is a better option for turning around because it requires a smaller space than either the balloon or "Y"-shaped tracks, Schlegel said. Years ago a mule-driven turntable existed near the spot where GSMR plans to build a modern one in Bryson City. A round house where locomotives can be stored will be part of the new complex, as well as a new maintenance facility, he said.

Currently all engine repairs are done outside, dependent on weather, on GSMR property near Western Builders in Dillsboro. Complete restoration of an engine is a lengthy, sometimes a yearlong process, and it isn't feasible to work outside 12 months of the year, Schlegel said.

Right now GSMR, which would like to convert from diesel to an all-steam engine operation, is restoring the 1722 engine, originally on the Murphy line.

"Watching the restoration on a steam engine or watching them turn around are events in themselves," said Kim Lyons, GSMR's marketing director.

Those attractions would adjoin a railroad museum housing one of the largest collection of model trains, which is expected to open in Bryson City during Railfest 2002 Sept. 13-15. Railroad Inn, a bed and breakfast with a train theme, is also in the works, as are restaurants, retail shops and additional parking.

Parking has been a key issue in Dillsboro, where some merchants have complained about train riders taking up their customer parking spaces, said Schlegel. With the new Bryson City complex, trains will leave Bryson City each morning, traveling both west to the Nantahala Gorge and east to Dillsboro.

"There would be a lengthy layover in Dillsboro, and passengers could have time to shop and eat," said Lyons, noting another benefit to the town would be the elimination of vehicular parking.

Dillsboro would still maintain the dinner train operation, she said, as well as the GSMR office.

"So, no, we are not leaving," Lyons said. "We like our affiliation with Dillsboro; it's the perfect setting for GSMR. But, yes, we are expanding in Bryson City."

GSMR now carries 200,000 passengers a year, Schlegel said. With expansion, they hope to double that figure.

"Expansion creates jobs," he said of the GSMR, which employs 70 full-time and another 100 seasonal employees.

"We are building now for our future," Schlegel said. "Our motto in this expansion, which concentrates on railroad memorabilia and heritage, is 'Moving Forward to the Past.'"

Back to Archive: 08/29/02.