Oh, and in case anyone's wondering what that blue line is in that last scene, with the camera panning right to left, that's the actual Tennessee-Georgia state line. Interesting fact is that the brewery the state line passes thru, the restrooms are in, McCaysville, Georgia, while the bar is in Copperhill, Tennessee. Also, McCaysville is in a 'Dry' county, meaning you can't buy liquor there. So, if you need to "heed nature's call", you can't bring your drink from the bar with you. Instead, you can take it with you on your way to the restroom, but when you reach the Tennessee-Georgia state line, which is marked by the blue line going thru the building, you must put your drink down on a table on the legal, 'Tennessee-side' of the state line, and then cross over the state line into Georgia to use the facilities. Once finished answering nature's call, you can then cross the state line back over into Tennessee where you can then pick up your drink you left standing on the table and return to the bar to resume drinking.
I've ridden both the Hiawassee River Rail Adventure and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and I prefer the Hiawassee River Rail Adventure. The route is much more scenic than the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. I rode the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway a few years ago and the rode the Hiawassee River Rail Adventure for the Great American Eclipse in 2017, as Copperhill/McCaysville was right in the path of totality.
Yeah I could tell from the road that there was more to see on the northern end of the line, but the Blue Ridge Scenic still looks like a nice ride. Taking the train to the eclipse sounds like a great experience. I saw it from just a little ways to the north in Vonore, and it was truly the most spectacular sight I've ever witnessed.
@@SmokyMtnSteam I remember riding the Tweetsie train back in the early '70s and falling in love with steam locomotives. I wish I could spend more time in the Smokey's, but until then your channel satisfies my love of trains and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Nice video, the scenery on the line looks beautiful and your shots are top notch. I was wondering why doesn't TVRM run one of the steamers along the route. Is it because there is no where to turn or because of main line clearing?
The Hiwassee River Rail Adventure doesn't use steam because there's nowhere to turn a steam locomotive around, and that their main connection with the 'Outside World' is CSX, who hasn't always been the most friendliest when it comes to moving vintage rolling stock on their tracks. It took the TVRM several years from acquiring three former Western Maryland Scenic Railroad coaches to the cars finally getting to the TVRM, as they had to use CSX to get the passenger cars from Cumberland, Maryland to Chattanooga, Tennessee. There's also the higher cost of operating a steam locomotive compared to a diesel, which, when you're a tourist railroad, is the main reason why most tourist railroads use diesels, because you're on a tight budget and have to use the money you have carefully.
@@jordonfreeman166 That makes a lot of sense. Although I think they are getting more lenient, CSX hasn't been very steam friendly and it is more expensive to run steam. As for turning the engine, they could always put a Diesel on the other end and have it run the return trip like what GSMR does but it still it still makes sense why they don't do it. Still it would be nice for them to do it for at least a one off trip. All the same thank you for your reply.
Also doesn’t help that the biggest engine you can run on that line is a light 2-8-2, no turning or maintenance facilities, and most of the route is in a national forest, so an oil conversion would be mandatory.
@@floridarailfan Not on the tripod itself, but my camera (FDR-AX53) has a very good built-in stabilizer, and I recently acquired a wired remote that clips onto the tripod's handle so I can zoom and record without having to touch the camera itself which has been a huge help; the long pan & zoom shots in my Big Boy video would've been impossible without it. As a last resort for shaky shots, I also use the stabilization tool in Magix Movie Studio which has a "pan-smoothing" setting. Hope that helps.
SmokyMtnSteam Yeah I've got the AX33 and have been very please with the stabilization technology. Do you have it turned on "active", "standard", or just off? I'll have to look into that remote as well
@@floridarailfan I always have the camera in Active. Here's a link to the remote I use: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1258808-REG/revo_vrs_multi_video_remote_for_sony.html
Amazing video love it!
Thank you!
Two wonderful train trips,I enjoyed both of them.
Many thanks!
It looks like the train was really moving coming around that curve at 4:25. Definitely faster than the 10mph I was expecting.
Surprised me too, the train even beat me to my next planned shot.
It’s not unheard of on the Hiwassee to run 30 south of Farner towards Copperhill.
Oh, and in case anyone's wondering what that blue line is in that last scene, with the camera panning right to left, that's the actual Tennessee-Georgia state line. Interesting fact is that the brewery the state line passes thru, the restrooms are in, McCaysville, Georgia, while the bar is in Copperhill, Tennessee. Also, McCaysville is in a 'Dry' county, meaning you can't buy liquor there. So, if you need to "heed nature's call", you can't bring your drink from the bar with you. Instead, you can take it with you on your way to the restroom, but when you reach the Tennessee-Georgia state line, which is marked by the blue line going thru the building, you must put your drink down on a table on the legal, 'Tennessee-side' of the state line, and then cross over the state line into Georgia to use the facilities. Once finished answering nature's call, you can then cross the state line back over into Tennessee where you can then pick up your drink you left standing on the table and return to the bar to resume drinking.
That is so funny!
1:58 I’ve been in that dome car on the Royal Palm Railway in Tavares, FL
I've ridden both the Hiawassee River Rail Adventure and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and I prefer the Hiawassee River Rail Adventure. The route is much more scenic than the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. I rode the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway a few years ago and the rode the Hiawassee River Rail Adventure for the Great American Eclipse in 2017, as Copperhill/McCaysville was right in the path of totality.
Yeah I could tell from the road that there was more to see on the northern end of the line, but the Blue Ridge Scenic still looks like a nice ride. Taking the train to the eclipse sounds like a great experience. I saw it from just a little ways to the north in Vonore, and it was truly the most spectacular sight I've ever witnessed.
Nice!
Nice video, I've riden the Blue Ridge Scenic a long time ago and want to go back soon.
I'd definitely like to return for a ride someday myself, even if it is a diesel.
how many customers are on this line ?
You should monetize your videos. The videography is excellent. Beautiful work!
Thank you! I'm glad to know my work is appreciated.
@@SmokyMtnSteam I remember riding the Tweetsie train back in the early '70s and falling in love with steam locomotives. I wish I could spend more time in the Smokey's, but until then your channel satisfies my love of trains and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Awesome footage! I wish I could see that.
Do the Blue Ridge mountains next. I have been there Before.
Very nice!!!!
Nice video, the scenery on the line looks beautiful and your shots are top notch. I was wondering why doesn't TVRM run one of the steamers along the route. Is it because there is no where to turn or because of main line clearing?
The Hiwassee River Rail Adventure doesn't use steam because there's nowhere to turn a steam locomotive around, and that their main connection with the 'Outside World' is CSX, who hasn't always been the most friendliest when it comes to moving vintage rolling stock on their tracks. It took the TVRM several years from acquiring three former Western Maryland Scenic Railroad coaches to the cars finally getting to the TVRM, as they had to use CSX to get the passenger cars from Cumberland, Maryland to Chattanooga, Tennessee. There's also the higher cost of operating a steam locomotive compared to a diesel, which, when you're a tourist railroad, is the main reason why most tourist railroads use diesels, because you're on a tight budget and have to use the money you have carefully.
@@jordonfreeman166 That makes a lot of sense. Although I think they are getting more lenient, CSX hasn't been very steam friendly and it is more expensive to run steam. As for turning the engine, they could always put a Diesel on the other end and have it run the return trip like what GSMR does but it still it still makes sense why they don't do it. Still it would be nice for them to do it for at least a one off trip. All the same thank you for your reply.
Also doesn’t help that the biggest engine you can run on that line is a light 2-8-2, no turning or maintenance facilities, and most of the route is in a national forest, so an oil conversion would be mandatory.
What road is that at 5:01?
TN route 68
7:16 Murphy Branch?
Yep, the very southern end of it. Only goes as far as Mineral Bluff nowadays though.
@@SmokyMtnSteam hey they have a think on july 3rd called ride the rails were doing it if you wanted to come at the depot
@@SmokyMtnSteam at the mineral bluff one
@@bofan4513 Sounds great, unfortunately I have to work the entire weekend
@@SmokyMtnSteam would you like me to send some that day?
What tripod are you using
Magnus VT-4000, for under $200 I've been very happy with it so far.
Same here! Do you have any specific settings that you find useful in keeping the video so stable?
@@floridarailfan Not on the tripod itself, but my camera (FDR-AX53) has a very good built-in stabilizer, and I recently acquired a wired remote that clips onto the tripod's handle so I can zoom and record without having to touch the camera itself which has been a huge help; the long pan & zoom shots in my Big Boy video would've been impossible without it. As a last resort for shaky shots, I also use the stabilization tool in Magix Movie Studio which has a "pan-smoothing" setting. Hope that helps.
SmokyMtnSteam Yeah I've got the AX33 and have been very please with the stabilization technology. Do you have it turned on "active", "standard", or just off? I'll have to look into that remote as well
@@floridarailfan I always have the camera in Active. Here's a link to the remote I use: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1258808-REG/revo_vrs_multi_video_remote_for_sony.html