7 scenic train routes to see peak fall foliage

Mike Cyr is all about trains. He’s president and CEO of an organization known as Virtual Railfan, which operates a community of greater than 100 cameras in 28 states that present prepare exercise, masking 54 areas.

Based mostly in Jap Tennessee, Cyr stated his “all-time favourite, scenery-wise, particularly for the autumn colours” is near house: the Copperhill Special train ride, one of many Hiwassee River Rail Adventures operated by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.

Leaving from Delano, Tenn., the prepare travels via the decrease Hiwassee River Gorge and over the Hiwassee Loop earlier than reaching Copperhill, Tenn., on the border with Georgia. There’s a 90-minute layover to eat or store on the town earlier than the return, and Cyr stated there’s even one conductor who performs the banjo, although no ensures he’ll be in your journey.

“Among the most lovely surroundings east of the Mississippi, the mountains of East Tennessee, the Hiwassee River, it’s superb,” Cyr stated. “The surroundings is beautiful and it’s simply getting warmed up down right here.”

The eight-hour round-trip journey is accessible on choose dates from July via November — and seats are nonetheless obtainable for this yr. Cyr stated he plans to take it once more this yr.

“After I let you know I’ve a prepare downside, it’s fairly dangerous,” he stated.