Great Smoky Mountains Railroad: GSMR 1702 - The Chase through the Nantahala Gorge

Here in western North Carolina along the western most portion of the former Southern Railway Murphy Branch is the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. In this video, GSMR would pull one of their daily excursions through the Nantahala Gorge with GSMR Steam Locomotive 1702 leading the trip out of Bryson City. To start off, we see GSMR’s Nantahala Excursion coming up to Robinson Gap Rd. just outside of Bryson City. From there, I would chase them through The Nantahala National Forest all the way to the run around siding east of Andrews (that portion is currently abandoned). From there, the Excursion is seen heading back towards Bryson City with GSMR 1751 & 711 leading the trip back.
Wasn’t planning on coming up this way, but being in the area, made the side trip to chase them for the afternoon and on into the evening. Totally worth it! As always, enjoy!
Lead Units
GSMR 1702 Baldwin 2-8-0 ex-US Army
GSMR 1751 EMD GP9 ex-TNO
GSMR 711 EMD GP9 ex-UP
Recorded 10/12/19
2:23 pm - 6:27 pm

[@Locos-del-oeste]

Super video 😉✌

[@lysdexicsoftheworlduntie1881]

I got to make the whole Nantahala Gorge Run back when they were doing full day excursions from the Dillsboro Depot. It was a great run. The Cowee Tunnel and the Fontana Bridge were awesome highlights.

[@JonesDrones]

That is the longest GSMR train ive ever seen! Awesome vid, Thanks for sharing!!

[@RailfanDaniel1997]

Great work as always, bro!

[@Kayce00000]

Awesome!!!

[@SteamZRailfan]

Awesome video!

[@rileysanesh9238]

So 1751,711 and 1702 are running the train and I know where the other diesels are nos.777,1755 and 2467 they’re in the dillsboro sheds

[@johnathanhardin152]

Any news on the 722?

[@csxnstrainman]

Nice video man!

[@mwand89]

About the destination of track during the beginning trip, where does the rest of the track lead to?

[@smoketr41]

I think the GSMR rights on the Murphy Branch run from Dillsboro NC through Bryson City and on to Andrews NC. In the past, the excursion went into Andrews, but now stops just past the Nanatahala Outdoor Center. Still, its an amazing trip. We've been twice.

[@thecarolinianrailfan8339]

#1702 looks nicer without her whitewalls.