Join Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, for its annual Railroad Heritage Weekend on August 24 and 25, a celebration of the golden age of steam. The event centers around the park’s historic Locomotive No. 12, affectionately known as “Tweetsie,” a narrow-gauge steam engine built in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. This iconic locomotive, one of the few surviving narrow-gauge steam engines in the United States, originally served the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad (ET&WNC) in the mountainous regions between Tennessee and North Carolina. Its preservation and continued operation make it a symbol of the steam era in the Appalachian region.
After the ET&WNC Railroad ceased operations in the 1950s, Locomotive No. 12 found a new home at Tweetsie Railroad, a heritage theme park opened in 1957. The locomotive underwent extensive restoration to return it to working condition, becoming the star attraction of the park’s scenic railway. Dedicated teams have tirelessly maintained and preserved the locomotive, ensuring its continued safe and efficient operation. These efforts have included rebuilding its boiler, refurbishing components, and updating systems while preserving its historical integrity.
Locomotive No. 12 provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the golden age of steam travel. The engine pulls passenger cars through the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a nostalgic journey that highlights the engineering marvels of the past. Alongside the scenic ride, Tweetsie Railroad provides educational exhibits and live demonstrations showcasing the history of the locomotive and the importance of steam railroads in American industrial development. Locomotive No. 12 serves as both a living museum piece and a dynamic educational tool, bringing history to life for thousands of visitors each year.
This Railroad Heritage Weekend presents a special opportunity, as it’s the only time of year when both of the park’s narrow-gauge steam locomotives are running simultaneously. Locomotive No. 12 will pull an 1870s vintage coach car, recreating the authentic experience of the ET&WNC Railroad. Meanwhile, the No. 190 locomotive, the “Yukon Queen,” will pull a separate train, taking guests on the traditional Wild West adventure. On Sunday morning, both locomotives No. 12 and No. 190 will run in tandem as a classic “double-header.”
In addition to the train rides, guests are invited to tour Tweetsie Railroad’s Locomotive Shop and the Memorabilia Room. This is a rare chance to get an insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of keeping these historic locomotives operational. “We look forward to this event every year,” said Chris Robbins of Tweetsie Railroad. “It is a unique celebration that highlights the park’s history, and a century of narrow-gauge steam locomotive heritage that began with the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad (ET&WNC).” If you love trains, this is one weekend you don’t want to miss.
