Fall Train Excursion on November 1, 2009 From NC Transportation Museum to Asheville
The N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation and the Watauga Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society offer a chance to see beautiful fall foliage, experience a great destination and enjoy the romance of riding the rails this fall. The museum, located in Spencer (near Salisbury) is again hosting fall train excursions, including a day trip to Asheville. Ticket sales start at 10 a.m. June 24.
During the Sunday, November 1 trip, the “Blue Ridge Special” train ride will travel through the western Piedmont into the foothills and on to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Departing Spencer at 7 a.m., the train will roll through the cities of Statesville, Hickory, Morganton, Marion, Black Mountain and Swannanoa. The train will climb the famed "loops" of the Blue Ridge Mountains and pass through several tunnels before arriving in Asheville at noon. Passengers will have nearly three hours for an outing at Biltmore Village.
Established in the late 1890s as a planned community near the entrance of the Biltmore estate, Biltmore Village stands near the entrance to Biltmore Estate. Shopping will be available in unique, locally-owned boutiques. Passengers can dine in restaurants and take walks along brick sidewalks that parallel tree lined streets. All of this will be enjoyed alongside spectacular views of the North Carolina mountains.
Departing Asheville at 3 p.m., the “Blue Ridge Special” will return to Spencer at 8 p.m.
Several different levels of excursion tickets are available. Ticket prices are the same each day.
Dome Cars, with two levels, feature the best views of the passing scenery. Windows stretch across the walls and ceiling on the second level of the rail car, providing a panoramic view of the entire ride. Dome Class passengers will be served an early continental breakfast and newspaper as well as dinner in vintage lounge and dining cars. Dome tickets are $275 per person and sell out very quickly.
Premium First Class tickets feature comfort seating on private rail cars restored to the height of luxury. Premium First Class passengers will also enjoy an early continental breakfast, newspaper and dinner on the return trip. Premium First Class tickets are $240 per person.
A new offering this year, Deluxe Coach Class tickets feature spacious seating with large windows, lunch on the dining car and light snacks during the trip. Deluxe Coach tickets are $170 per person.
Coach tickets feature comfortable seating, air conditioning and heat and restrooms. Coach tickets are $140 per person.
Another new feature, an optional box lunch will allow travelers to save time for shopping in Asheville. The $14 box lunch, served in a souvenir lunch tote, includes include a half turkey wrap, pasta, chips & salsa, a cookie and drink.
Tickets will be available online at www.nctrans.org or by calling 704-636-2889 ext. 232. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 24.
The N.C. Transportation Museum, located in historic Spencer Shops, the former Southern Railway repair facility, is part of the Division of State Historic Sites, Department of Cultural Resources. The museum is located just five minutes off I-85 at Exit 79 in Spencer, N.C., and about an hour from Charlotte, Greensboro or Winston-Salem. It's about 2.5 hours drive from Asheville.
