A variety of sightseeing trains operate in the southeastern U.S., offering scenic jaunts into the countryside. Some even scale mountains and dip into fertile valleys to snake along a riverside. These tours are day trips on railroads that have been favorites with vacationers and locals in the region for decades.

SAM Shortline Excursion Train

This central Georgia sightseeing train runs along what is left of the historic Savannah, Americus and Montgomery (SAM) rail line. Trips start in the town of Cordele near Interstate 75 and make stops in nearby towns and at Georgia Veterans State Park on Lake Blackshear. The train has cars from different eras of the 20th century, including coach, lounger and open-air cars. The SAM Shortline is considered a historic site and is operated by Georgia's state park system, thereby making it a park on wheels.

Tennessee Central Railway Museum

You can take a day trip into the countryside aboard a 1950s-era passenger train departing from Nashville's Tennessee Central Railway Museum a couple of times a month. The trips are usually part of a theme, such as the Murder Mystery, Valentine's or Fall Foliage excursions. One of the cars has upper-level dome seating offering panoramic views. The dome seats cost more and tickets go fast, so advance reservations are highly recommended. The museum and depot are located across the Cumberland River from downtown Nashville.

Seminole Gulf Railway

Fort Meyers is home to the Seminole Gulf Railway, primarily known for its dinner theater trips on which costumed actors go from car to car acting out a murder-mystery caper. Passengers get clue sheets before embarking so they can try to determine the killer themselves. Prizes are given to the passenger in each car who gets the most clues right. Special holiday excursions occur throughout the year, including Halloween, Valentine's and Thanksgiving.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

This railroad is a good way to experience the beauty of western North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains without driving or hiking, so you can concentrate solely on the scenery. Departing from Bryson City, the train makes excursions along 53 miles of track that winds through mountainous terrain and into the Nantahala River Gorge. The trip lasts four to four and a half hours, and the train has a concession car. This railroad, with its scenic backdrop, has appeared in many movies and TV shows, including the 1993 motion picture "The Fugitive."

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

One of the Southeast's more uncommon rail tours is Chattanooga's Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. Running between the base and the summit in a straight line up the mountain's steep grade, this historic railway has been carting passengers up and down Lookout Mountain since 1895. The grade is so steep that the trolley-style rail cars are built in a stair-step fashion to keep passengers from tumbling out of their seats. Along with enjoying spectacular views of the city and the Tennessee River below, history buffs can visit notable Civil War sites on the mountain that are within easy walking distance from the railway.

About the Author


Photo Credits

  • view from lookout mountain image by Seiberspace from Fotolia.com
Suggest an Article Correction