Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Motorcar Excursion 2019

This is the 2019 NARCOA excursion on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad held on May 4th and 5th. Departing from Andrews, NC we travel 53 miles East to Dillsboro, where we will spend the night and return the next morning.
Former interchange with the Graham County Railroad 26:02
www.narcoa.org/
www.gsmr.com/

[@TheRuffusMD]

THANK YOU FOR NO MUSIC

[@erikstol863]

Railroad sound and no music, very nice!

[@kimberlyemerson-spicer471]

I never knew there was anything like this. How I would love to take a journey like this through my favorite place in all the world: the Smokey Mountains. Totally awesome video. As a full time caregiver, I can’t travel much anymore but this video gives me a real holiday. Thank you.

[@motorcarlamar]

Glad you enjoyed it! It is beautiful up there.

[@madmax2069]

This looks pretty fun, get to see a lot of beautiful scenery.

[@CBeard849]

When viewing trip videos like this one I like to search Google Earth and try to follow the tracks from start to finish. Thanks for sharing a fun trip!

[@motorcarlamar]

Thanks, I follow tracks on Earth too!

[@sidney001]

It's amazing to think of all the effort that went into building that railway when you look at all the cuttings embankments bridges tunnels and crossings. At the time they must have really wanted to get a railway between A & B

[@edwardcarranza3697]

I like these videos cause it kind of makes you wonder how far back in time the rail lines were planted there and what the engineers have seen riding these through the years, watching how time shaped the scenery.

[@runswithwolf7498]

Absolutely amazing. 💯 Beautiful scenery. Thank you for sharing.

[@kimberlyemerson-spicer471]

Oh man what an awesome video! What a fantastic journey through beautiful country. I really wish I could do a trip like this. I love this area. 👍🏼👏🏻🥰

[@davidcassidy5512]

That was a joy to watch from end to end. Thanks!

[@motorcarlamar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@erikstol863]

Best footage ever!

[@user-fx2zj8gn3j]

지금까지 본 기차 관련 유튜브 중 가장 좋았습니다. 차분하고 운치 있고 주변 경관도 너무 좋았고 비가 와서 더욱 잔잔하면서도 생동감이 넘쳐서 좋았습니다. 영어를 잘 못해서 한국어로 썼습니다. 아주 좋았습니다. 감사합니다.

[@motorcarlamar]

친절한 의견에 감사드립니다. 이것은 내가 가장 좋아하는 여행 중 하나입니다. Google 번역이 이것을 읽을 수 있기를 바랍니다.

[@juliegogo2941]

Interesting Thanks ! Nice train yard.with some real antiques.

[@JintySteam1]

I'm here cos this is the line modelled in Railroader. Nice to see what the real life places look like today.

[@boobtubeakatv1296]

GREAT VIDEO !!! LOVE the Natural Sounds of the rails. THANK YOU 💖 A bit of RainX would have made the windshield much clearer in the rain...

[@barryparks9410]

Best railway video I have seen. Well done!

[@motorcarlamar]

Thank you so much!

[@maxr.mamint8580]

Very cool video! Thank you for your efforts recording, editing, and posting it to share.

[@crrodriguez]

Fascinating..This is a really nice sight...We have plenty of those in Chile but nobody has come up with a tourist motorcar ..

[@bradhassler1]

All I need is is some wind, and I'd feel like I was on that Speeder 😂 Wonderful scenery and looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing !

[@vettebecker1]

This would be awesome to include into one of GSMR excursions lists, beautiful part of the line past Nantahala outdoor center.

[@rogerracer1]

good job Lamar. I remember these trips. Thanks.

[@motorcarlamar]

I miss seeing you on these runs Wayne.

[@lawdog490]

Watching this from the NYC metro area…I wonder if the people living in the houses the cars are passing by,..realize just how beautiful, where they are living in is…

[@antonbruce1241]

This is BEYOND cool! I need to get a motorcar....

[@Matthew44889]

Yeah

[@Mau-map3]

Awesome ride... Loved it

[@Bootzey73]

Just stumbled upon this…..how fun!!!!!

[@Nici2Real]

Very good looking angles good video

[@daniels4227]

To think that engineers would see these same beautiful sights only moments ago in time. Now, the line is abandoned to trains it seems. So sad. Thanks so much for sharing!!

[@motorcarlamar]

Actually, the GSMR is a vary popular tourist railroad and sees daily traffic between Bryson City and Dillsboro. There is also some freight traffic in Sylva. It is a beautiful line. Thank you for your service!

[@roshandangwar1]

Beautiful.

[@daybird2]

I've watched this and enjoyed it many times over. What I'd give to be able to go on one of these trips! I'll just watch and wish for now, though.

[@motorcarlamar]

Thanks. I've got lots more motorcar videos like this, so be sure to check them out too.

[@iflick7235]

Fascinating!

[@aaronlandry6461]

Such beautiful country

[@rbwilson65]

That's sounds like a fun ride....

[@clintscroggs65]

Spent a lot of time in my life a little ways west and south of Andrews visiting family in Murphy and Hayesville, NC; Blue Ridge and Blairsville GA. Beautiful country. I would move there if I could.

[@larryfisher5796]

I would love to do something like that . PS thank you for taking us alone with you . GREAT VIDEO 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😎

[@motorcarlamar]

Thank you so much!

[@roberthagood4770]

That would b an awesome trip.

[@garydunn1853]

Windscreen wipers would have been good, but a great trip - thanks for the view people.

[@kurokogejp]

so good

[@njlarry100]

Love the rain shots. Maybe move the camerz back so one feels like being inside the car?

[@motorcarlamar]

The reflections are awful.

[@railroadvelocipedeproducti2020]

I really wish they use the nantahala to Andrews line again where they can bring their red marble gap excursion back to life

[@trainnut2012]

The grade up the Gap was too hard on the 1702 was it not?

[@robertbowman3406]

If I were to make a trip like this I would be ready for any weather and includes rain like this at 56:05. A speeder with a solid roof would be in order. Just my opinion here.

[@motorcarlamar]

We stay nice and dry. I actually like riding in the rain, you just have to be a lot more careful.

[@210373]

Красивая дорога!

[@motorcarlamar]

Да, это так (Yes it is)

[@jeffalo6680]

This video is great... but a VR version of this would be amazing. I'd pay money to see that.

[@motorcarlamar]

That would be cool!

[@Bigbro28]

Me’s a liking this 👍. 🐨🇦🇺

[@888trains]

Boy do I envy you I would love to go on one of them excursions sometime as a ride along I’ll split the gas with you LOL im into to Lionell and Marx trains 0 gauge got a pretty big set up I’m working on now but I’ve always wanted to do that so does my wife if you’re ever going on one and you need A couple people to keep you company or just another one person this 52-year-old would love to take a spin as soon as this Covid thing is over happy tracks to you 🚂💯❤️

[@motorcarlamar]

Unfortunately, I don't own a motorcar. I am a certified and insured operator and share the running with the owner. I'm a modeler as well. I have two small HO layouts and an N scale layout under construction. I don't have any Lionel, but I do have a few pieces of 2-rail O scale equipment. I definitely suffer from MSD (Multiple Scale Disorder) : )

[@Glum1964]

They did not waste one single penny while digging the Rhodo Tunnel. Impressive!

[@motorcarlamar]

It was built with convict labor.

[@abhisheksoni9841]

😍😍😍

[@ritamcnabb2583]

Just came across this video. I know this one was done a couple years ago, but do you know if Great Smoky MTN Railroad still does the motorcars? I've searched their website.. can't find anything on it. My husband & I would love this! Please let me know if anyone knows if they still do this...Thanks!!

[@motorcarlamar]

Yes, we usually make this run once a year. This is a private excursion and is not open to the public which is why it's not listed on their website. We actually rent the railroad for the weekend. The person who puts on this run is a manager at the GSMR as well as a member of NARCOA (North American Railcar Operators Association), which is what makes this run possible.

[@ritamcnabb2583]

Thanks so much for answering back. This is something we have very much wanted to do. Maybe someday! Enjoyed your videos!

[@jerrysmith3515]

How fast does your speeder go? From the video it looks like maybe as much as 50mph. Am I close? Did steam engines ever travel the tracks in your video? I looked for possible water tower locations but didn't see any. Nice video thanks.

[@motorcarlamar]

Although it looks like we're going fast, the actual speed is around 20 or 25mph. Steam used to be the only thing that ran on this line. The Murphy Branch was built between 1881 and 1894. As many times as I have ridden this line, I don't recall seeing any remnants of water tanks or signal bases either.

[@judishaw6105]

My Family came from the Topton area my grandparents lived in Colvard Hollow . I lived there some of the time. I call there home to me. I was safe and sound there and did not have to see no abuse there. I was so happy in Colvard Hollow

[@motorcarlamar]

That sounds so nice. I'm so sick of Atlanta, lived here all my life and would love to move to the mountains.

[@markholloway9638]

Where can I get info about the next one?

[@samclark4088]

Looks fun. How can I get more info on this? Is it a club ?

[@motorcarlamar]

www.narcoa.org

[@mariannatexas]

How do you find out more and get on one of these excursions??? Thank you for sharing! I so want to do something like this

[@motorcarlamar]

All of these rail cars are privately owned and do not offer rides to the public. That being said, our website is: www.narcoa.org. If you go to the excursion calendar, you can look for a run in your area and contact the excursion coordinator (EC) and find out if there might be any way to get a ride with someone. You have to be there for the safety briefing VERY early in the morning and plan to be gone till potentially late in the day, although, if someone can pick you up somewhere along the line, we will stop and let you off. Some of these trips may cover over a hundred miles in a day. We will be more than happy to have you along.

[@angelamagruder5911]

This looks interesting,how long does it tak???!!!!🤔🙄

[@ronjones568]

How do you turn around to come back? Or do you just put them in reverse.

[@motorcarlamar]

A lot of the motorcars have a turntable which is basically a modified RV tongue jack mounted in the engine compartment. There is a large plate that lowers down and lifts the car off the rails allowing you to spin it around. All the cars have a set of long handles that slide out so you can pick up the car like a wheel barrow and turn it around by hand (not fun). The cars weigh about 1,000 pounds and the weight goes up depending on the size of the car.

[@donrollison4770]

I wish I wish I could do this

[@user-bs2hc3nf7r]

สุดยอดนั่งรถไฟเที่ยวๆกัน

[@motorcarlamar]

Thank you!. ขอขอบคุณ

[@Matthew44889]

Do the trains ever go to Andrews?

[@motorcarlamar]

Not anymore. Just the motorcars when we get to run on their tracks.

[@areguapiri]

How am I over 50 years old and I have never seen or heard of these motorcars?

[@motorcarlamar]

Could be because they quit making them about 50 years ago. 😃

[@areguapiri]

@@motorcarlamar ...Did you find out about these motorcars on ytube also?

[@motorcarlamar]

Oh no, I've been in this since long before KZbin. I learned about motorcars back in the 1970's.@@areguapiri

[@20molecula]

Yes, thanks for no music.

[@castletrains1018]

What does it cost to rent a motorcar and take this trip? What time of year?

[@motorcarlamar]

Sorry, but you can't rent these. They are privately owned. It takes studying and passing a rules test and being trained how to operate the vehicles. These are real track maintanence vehicles being operated on real railroads which can be very dangerous. It's very similar to going to work with a real railroad. We operate under all the rules and regulations of the FRA as well as the host railroad. To answer the second part of your question, this particular run does not have a set time of year. Last year there wasn't a run and this year doesn't look good either thanks to Covid.

[@michaelnellen4003]

Are the railroad tracks abandoned or still in used?

[@motorcarlamar]

They are very much in use. The GSMR uses what used the Southern Railway Murphy Branch. There are excursion trips every day. Check their website at www.gsmr.com/

[@randomvintagefilm273]

How do you go about doing this? Do you need special permission?

[@motorcarlamar]

Absolutely! These runs are completely coordinated with the host railroad. The easiest way to describe this is that we rent the railroad for the time needed and almost always have a railroad representative with us. www.narcoa.org

[@amyreynolds3619]

what is the status of 722 are they going to rebuild her

[@motorcarlamar]

As you can see in the video, she's in a million pieces. The plan is to rebuild her to operating condition, but I haven't heard anything lately.

[@jillsmith3937]

I’ve aways wanted to this but no body go with me thank you for the ride are those postal jeeps looks like um

[@TheMainecadillacman]

As beautiful as the scenery was on this trip, I don't understand why they were going so fast at various points...

[@motorcarlamar]

Sometimes we have a schedule to keep. On the GSMR, we have to get to a certain point to get in the clear for the tourist train. There might have been a delay and so we had to make up time. Also, for some reason, the video makes it look like we're going a lot faster than we actually are.

[@Teefs143]

Why the bridge have 4 rails?

[@motorcarlamar]

The extra rails are guard rails. In case of a derailment they help keep the wheels from wandering off.

[@smithkart]

Still do this ?

[@motorcarlamar]

Oh yes. Did this run a few weeks ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/maTRaWavrNZraqs kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipS3epl7p7WbaNE

[@straightup.7415]

Im gonna build a 6 seater fully cab

[@postalfnj]

Do you have to get permission to use the same track the Great Smokey Railroad runs on?

[@motorcarlamar]

Very much so. There is a lot of planning that goes into putting on these runs. We pay the host railroads for the pleasure of using their tracks.

[@raydickson1485]

Di nice to see pictures of all the trout streams

[@Upstatenyoutdooradventures]

How much to do this excursion where can I book it ???

[@motorcarlamar]

Sorry, but this is a private excursion. These cars are all owned by club members and travel all over the place to ride on the railroads that we rent.

[@christinecrockford1654]

Another beautiful British invention the railways. Is very green there, looks alot like here in uk. Love too the beautiful American people from 🇬🇧 xxx is this railway disused because all those coaches look almost new ?

[@motorcarlamar]

There is a part that is disused, but the rest is a very busy, well maintained tourist railroad. Western North Carolina is a beautiful part of the country, although, the lush green scenery often comes with 90-100 degree temperatures in the Summer.

[@christinecrockford1654]

@@motorcarlamar is beautiful very much like where I live in west Dorset on the jerassic coast here in England. we can have hot summers here with similar temperatures. Most the disused railways here in uk, they lift the tracks and the fact that urs don't and u can do this is beautiful. I like the heavy industry these old railways used to have and then going back in to nature. I find it really beautiful.

[@motorcarlamar]

​@@christinecrockford1654 Tracks are ripped up as fast as they can do it. In 1920 there was approximately 253,000 miles of tracks and now there is about 135,000. Quite depressing to us train lovers.

[@christinecrockford1654]

@@motorcarlamar it's so nice u got back to me. I'm not really a train lover but I sure would love to ride on one them train carts looks so relaxing and also love to be friends xx

[@motorcarlamar]

@@christinecrockford1654 I really do enjoy chatting with people from around the world. Riding these little motorcars can be very relaxing, especially after a big lunch. 😃 They do rock and bounce a lot. Anytime you're in Atlanta, Georgia, I'd be happy to meet up with you!

[@MrSteelman335]

If a train went down as fast as y'all went on red marble grade at topton, it would become a runaway so fast.

[@boobtubeakatv1296]

🤣 Light Weight vs 🤔

[@LawMan62]

So, just curious ... what do the people in the OPEN car do if it rains??😬

[@motorcarlamar]

Get wet! Unless they have rain gear.😄

[@LawMan62]

@@motorcarlamar Kinda wondered! Was not sure if they had a cover for them or not.

[@motorcarlamar]

@@LawMan62 It happedned to me one time. I let the driver wear my rainsuit while I went and rode in a covered car.

[@kevinjones4008]

Are they still doing this needs to be a scenic railroad all the way to Murphy and back

[@motorcarlamar]

I wish we could go to Murphy. The tourist railroad only runs between Bryson City and the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

[@kevinjones4008]

@@motorcarlamar that's sad been good to run all the way to Murphy and to copperhill TN

[@kimberlyemerson-spicer471]

👏🏻👍🏼🥰❤️💕😍

[@postalfnj]

is this part abandon ?

[@motorcarlamar]

Technically, the section from Andrews to Dillsboro is not abandoned although it is not in use. It is kept up.

[@postalfnj]

@@motorcarlamar thank you I have rode on the Great Smokey Railroad twice before and was wondering what happens to the other ends

[@slug77ster]

I just wonder who's Brad idea it was for the person with the camera not to be in front? I've got the back of that car memorized and I don't know what the view look like.

[@motorcarlamar]

We don't have any choice where the motorcar is placed in line, although a lot of my videos are shot from the front.

[@slug77ster]

@@motorcarlamar Thanks for the response. Please excuse the coarse tone of my previous comment. I sympathize with anyone who is limited by circumstances like this.

[@motorcarlamar]

@@slug77ster The last run I was on, we were right behind the porta-pottie.😁😁😁

[@motorcarlamar]

@@slug77ster check out my last run. We were right behind the porta-pottie kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2GxqXlnn9lohNU 😁😁😁

[@MilesNauticus]

As a European, I benevolently envy your freedom. In Italy it would be impossible for a private citizen to move on a public or private railway line, even if it is no longer in use. Dozens of authorizations would be needed that could be denied: the owner of the railway line would ask for the purpose of the trip, what type of vehicle they would use, if the vehicle is approved according to the regulations in force, if you have specific insurance, you should also notify the police of what you want to do. In any case all of them would deny the authorization. So sad.

[@motorcarlamar]

That is sad. Actually, we have to go through a lot of what you mentioned. It takes time to put together one of these excursions. We have special insurance, and have to get approval from the railroads. The motorcars have to pass safety inspections and the operators have to go through a certification process. My videos only show the results of weeks if not months of preparation.

[@maxr.mamint8580]

Its actually pretty much the same here. As I understand it, these folks work for the railroad, so getting permission is at least possible (hey - some jobs have great perks! lol). For anyone else, this would land you in jail and fined. In fact, there are NO mechanisms for petition to individually or personally ride any rails on personal devices in the US - abandoned or not. The only realistic way (other than the people in this group in the video) is to break the law and do it anyway.

[@motorcarlamar]

@@maxr.mamint8580 that's exactly right.

[@ThomasWLalor]

Why don't you just pass him on the right?!?!? (OH, SORRY, I've been watching too many road rage videos!) The rail, the speed, the scenery is almost hypnotic, it's so soothingly tranquil.

[@RailroadJourneys]

I assume this line get used never

[@motorcarlamar]

It gets used all the time. The GSMR is a very popular tourist railroad in North Carolina.

[@RailroadJourneys]

I have a hard time believing that they use the line to andrews all the time.

[@kennethhudson8013]

This is same route from Bryson City train ride

[@motorcarlamar]

Yes it is.

[@hgghgguk]

why did they bring there dog along for wtf and i like how the passengers in the back have ear pro on but the dog doesnt...

[@robertm1645]

Need to use the horns at xing

[@motorcarlamar]

We're not allowed to. That implies we have the right of way, which we don't.

[@robertm1645]

That makes sense thank you Nice ride!

[@voornaam3191]

Why is that track so dirty? Lots and lots and lots of grass. Right from the start. Is all of the USA such a mess?! And why is it?

[@motorcarlamar]

The track at the beginning of the video is not in use so it's not maintained. Also, this is a tourist railroad so there is not a lot of money for keeping the right of way clean.

[@tonypointer7026]

The rail is not used any more for trxins

[@motorcarlamar]

The railroad is heavily used by the tourist trains.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Interesting use on Nato numeral "4" flag.

[@kennethhudson8013]

That bridge looks sketchy

[@motorcarlamar]

It's not too bad.

[@jarvislarson6864]

Go thru a bunch of hoops to ride an unused rail track?? Sheesh!

[@motorcarlamar]

The GSMR is a very active tourist railroad. There is a section of not it not being used but its all connected.

[@doncarlo5]

Next time : use a cam that doesn't get out of focus all the time ... PLEASE ! beside that , a NICE footage !

[@motorcarlamar]

Yeah, I don't like it either. I don't know why the video does that. I use a fixed-focus action camera (similar to a GoPro). The raw footage played on my computer looks beautiful, but when it gets processed and uploaded to KZbin, it sometimes gets that pulsing focus. I've seen other channel's videos that do that too. It could be an algorithm issue in my old editing software or in KZbin. I don't make any money off these videos, so I can't afford better equipment, if that's the problem. Thanks for your comment. Camera: Yi Lite Editing Software: Windows Movie Maker (no longer supported by Microsoft}

[@NJtoAzMountainBiker]

Ith8nk it is KZbin. If you are a paid person you get better video it seems like.

[@normandlemire7566]

La qualité de l'image est pas bonne très floue!

[@motorcarlamar]

Je sais. KZbin réduit la qualité de l'image sur les petites chaînes.

[@normandlemire7566]

@@motorcarlamar alors , pardon , je suis désolé pour vous !

[@deborahchesser7375]

Doesn’t get much prettier than that.

[@horsdevors4559]

Way to commercial; Flags to stop/slow down; Mountains in the background probably 50 miles away. Very boring.

[@motorcarlamar]

Personally, I HATE the flags. We are IN the mountains, the roadbed is cut right into the side of the mountains. RULES, RULES, RULES. That's what keeps us alive out there.

[@voornaam3191]

That drone flying behind this weird thing, why doesn't it fly any higher? I'd like to see a top shot, but this drone is pathetic. What is WRONG with this movie?!

[@motorcarlamar]

That is not a drone. It is an action camera mounted to the front of the motorcar.

[@joemcmurry5391]

That's not the Smokey mountains,too flat.I live in the Smokey mountains.

[@boobtubeakatv1296]

Rails are always flat unlike the roads are. You can always look at the route on Google Earth and see that it IS the Smokey Mountains Range 😛

[@KG-xt4oq]

These are the SMOKY mountains; you live in the SMOKEY mountains...this is the source of your confusion.

[@MjC7192]

Video is good but video quality sucks

[@motorcarlamar]

That's the KZbin algorithm. I have no control over them degrading video quality on small YT channels.

[@earlswonger5347]

The only scenery you see is woods this is boring

[@geod3589]

If you want to see boring, watch the vids of the guys in Utah riding defunct rails. Nothing but dirt and rocks as far as you can see.

[@jeffalo6680]

I wouldn't call this boring but a VR version of this would be incredible.

[@motorcarlamar]

Yeah, the real scenery is off to the sides.

[@ingazagrjadina79]

Ceļojums pa.sliedem😉🤗🥰🚉💈.