Tweetsie Discussions

I was my grandmother's admiring grandchild. As a youngster, I studied every expression on her face, every piece of jewelry and garment she selected to wear for the day, and every way her past left its mark on her.

I had to ask her one day, "Granny, what is that grayish spot on your knee?" "Its old coal soot!" she replied.

Granny reminded me that her father had been a train engineer with Norfolk & Western Railroad during the early 1900's. As a child, she loved to ride the trains pulled by the coal-powered steam locomotives of the time, especially when driven by her dad.

One day, she was sporting a skinned knee from a fall as many children do on occasion. During the day’s train ride, the steam locomotive was building up power, and as usual a little of the coal soot sifted out of the puffing smoke and onto the passengers. Granny's skinned knee received a good sprinkling, which was eventually healed over. The shadow of soot remained there on her knee for the rest of her life. It was a fond reminder to her.

Granny loved trains! Her dad was the apple of her eye for many reasons, and she thrilled at the memory of him driving while she rode. Tweetsie Railroad was always so much fun for her as it was the perfect way for her to relive those times with her family.

About four years ago, I started a new hobby of genealogy. Granny would be proud at the amount of research I've done. As a result of my hobby, I've developed a keener appreciation for the past. I jump at any opportunity to experience, first-hand, a piece of America's history. So, I had a Golden Rail Season Pass at Tweetsie this past year; and, every time I’d go, I’d see Granny’s thrill for trains in every young child’s eyes.

Michelle Ligon
Boone, NC

Photograph of ET&WNC's Engine #8 at Blevins, Tennessee depot, 1910
The Cy Crumley Collection

I admit it. I thought my 3-year-old might be too young. But both my husband and I remembered Tweetsie from our childhoods and in our minds, we had waited long enough. Besides, Andrew loves trains. And carousels. And petting zoos. So we went for it. We got there just as it opened, started at the top and worked our way down the mountain.

Loved the all-inclusive price-no digging for tickets and coins, no compromising on which rides and activities we could or couldn't do. We just hopped on whatever we liked and took a spin or two (or six in one case). The ride operators were super-they came by and made sure each person was fastened in and reassured the parents of little ones that they could have the ride stopped at any time. As it turns out, my husband and I were the ones turning green while our three-year-old shouted "Faster, faster"! (Note to self: Bring his older cousins along to go on the "big-kid" rides with him next time.)

The adorable mouse train was a nice, low-key entry to our son's first train ride and since he enjoyed it so much, we took him on the big train, which was just as fantastic as I remembered. We took a breather, watched some clogging and grabbed lunch, then went back for another round at some our favorites-panning for gold and gems, another cruise on the turnpike track, the mouse train again. Then we waved goodbye to our new friends at the petting zoo, and headed back to our car, happy and exhausted, and already looking forward to next year's trip! 

Laura Byrd
Raleigh, NC