Doe River Gorge: Riding Along the ET&WNC | ET&WNC Historical Society Convention

Over Memorial Day weekend 2022, the ET&WNC Historical Society hosted their 32nd Annual Convention at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City, Tennessee. One of the highlights of the event was a visit to the Doe River Gorge in Hampton, Tennessee for a train ride along the most spectacular portion of the original ET&WNC Railroad. Their newly operational steam locomotive, Crown 4-4-0 number 15, was planned to be in operation for the convention but was unfortunately sidelined due to a flue failure. Instead, attendees were carried to Pardee Point by the railroad's little Plymouth diesel and a track speeder. From there the speeder made several trips back and forth to the end of the usable track, just a short walk from a surviving truss bridge. I opted to hike most of the way back, allowing for several action shots of the trains shuttling passengers through the gorge. After returning to the camp, the convention closed with the opportunity to see a preview of things to come at the gorge - two Porter 0-4-0s and two full trainsets of coaches purchased from the defunct Dry Gulch USA in Oklahoma. Plans are underway to have both new locomotives restored to operation and a 1-mile loop of track constructed to operate a Christmas Train experience and allow frequent steam excursions into the gorge. It will be a few years before these plans come to fruition but the future certainly looks bright for the most scenic rail line in the East. Huge thanks to the Doe River Gorge crew and the convention organizers for putting together such a great weekend.
For information about future events or joining the society, visit the ET&WNCRRHS website: www.etwncrrhs.org/

[@connieduncan9429]

I walked this yesterday. It's amazing !!!!

[@pstnus2]

This is one of the most breathtaking trips I have seen. More breathtaking than the White Pass I would say. It truly is a shame we didn’t see the value of the ET&WNC back then. It truly could have been an amazing line for railfans and outdoor enthusiasts to hitch a ride on today.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

I don't know if I'd compare it to the White Pass but the views certainly are spectacular. While it is a shame we lost the ET&WNC at least the best part can still be experienced.

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

Wow it's amazing that this narrow gauge railroad still exists it would be cool if we had an original ET&WNC tenwheeler to run on this railroad

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

That would be cool!

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

@@SmokyMtnSteam or at least put an original Tweetsie railroad whistle on the Crown locomotive when it's complete

[@Thatonerandomguy1331]

When will 15 return to service? Great video btw!

[@benmerritt9080]

She’s awaiting new flues to be installed.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Thanks! 15 will return to service as soon as they can get a contractor to come install the new boiler flues, however there is still a lot of trackwork to be done before it can actually haul a train any distance into the gorge. I'm hoping to see it do a test run or maybe a short excursion sometime later this year.

[@brendahoss2934]

Great video! I sure enjoyed the ride and am looking forward to bigger things for Doe River Gorge.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Thank you! It will be exciting to watch what develops there over the next few years.

[@ethanlfreeman]

First to comment, First to break down.