The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Motorcar Excursion: Part 1-Dillsboro to Bryson City, NC

[@dalemogk38]

Wow, your image stabilization leaves something to be desired.

[@motorcarlamar]

Cheap camera.

[@acesnoopy]

Building a rail kart now, can't wait to find the nearest usable tracks

[@JamesBond-lj6ms]

Oh my gosh I used to do the Christmas train ride every year on this route

[@TNRailProductions_01]

4:03 poor old 722

[@Salty_reviews]

Very nice video, I didn't see any excursions this year on the GSMR while looking on the NARCOA site, do y'all do very many trips in NC?

[@motorcarlamar]

There is only one excursion a year on the GSMR. There is talk about bringing back the New Years day run but that's all I know right now.

[@Salty_reviews]

@@motorcarlamar The Yadkin Valley Railroad has a line going north out of Rural Hall, NC that I believe goes all the way to Wilksboro, NC that is either not in use or gets very little use, maybe the organization might be interested in doing another run in NC.

[@bluefoxy6478]

May i ask, 1 how to do dis, cause it looks fun, 2 what age to be able to drive it, 3 how much it will cost? I would like to know please.

[@motorcarlamar]

First, you have to be a member of NARCOA. To be able to operate one you have to be at least 18 years old and you have to pass the rules test. Once you pass the exam, you have to purchase insurance which for this year is $145.00 plus $38.00 for the membership. After that, you need to get mentored (basically taught how to operate the motorcar). The cost of a motorcar can run from about $4,000.00 to about $30,000 depending on how big it is and what kind of condition its in. Sometimes you can find a very rough unrestored one for around $2,000.00 but then you have to figure in the cost of restoring an antique that has parts that are very hard to find. The motorcar also has to pass a safety inspection to make sure it meets all NARCOA standards. The motorcar can ONLY be used on a NARCOA sanctioned run. These can cost around $100.00 or more for a short one day run to a few thousand dollars for a week long trip. On top of that, you have to have a trailer to get the motorcar to the event which can be another couple thousand dollars. In addition, you need to figure in the cost of travel and lodging and food for the whole time you are on the road. Needless to say this is not a cheap hobby. I can't afford one myself so I go along with a good friend who has one. I am a certified operator and carry insurance so I can drive his motorcar. I hope this has been helpful. Please go to www.narcoa.org to find out more. Thanks for asking.

[@bluefoxy6478]

@@motorcarlamar thanks for the information! Though, does it work if you take a go kart, and turn it into one, if it passes all the tests and etc? I mean i dont see why you cant take one, but thanks for letting me know this!

[@motorcarlamar]

@@bluefoxy6478 NARCOA is very safety conscious and may not allow something like that. They do have a special set of rules for "home built" vehicles but I don't know how they would handle something like a modified go kart. That is beyond my knowledge.

[@bluefoxy6478]

@@motorcarlamar that's good to know. So it can be cheaper to build your own, but honestly, if i was to build my own, i would build a homade steam vehicale. But i dont think they will allow it.

[@Island_Line_Rail_Productions]

@@motorcarlamar it does not need to be only a NARCOA excursion. If a local club has their own track and excursions that is also a possibility. I am a member of the Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club in NH. We have 2 different lines, 9 miles or so ling a piece. in Wolfeboro and Ossippe NH. I can run the line any time I want so long as my car is registered as an off road vehicle with the state of NH. I also went to ride with family in Red Springs NH on their 18 mile long section of track. The Red Springs & Northern RR. almost the same situation. They are a 501C3 Non profit club and run the line all the way to Parkton NC where there is still a live switch to the CSX A Line. Some day there is also a possibility to return freight service on the line as well. There are probably more clubs like this around the country that I dont know about.

[@UTubeGlennAR]

>^..^< Thank you for the ride..............