If you’ve visited Tweetsie Railroad during Railroad Heritage Weekend, you might recognize our historic flatbed car marked with the letters “ET&WNC”—a tribute to the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad. It’s often used to showcase our connection to the past. But this week, it’s doing much more than posing for photos. For the first time in decades, this car is back to doing the job it was built for: hauling logs.
Yes, real logs. Real work. Real history repeating itself.
It’s a powerful reminder of how the legacy of the ET&WNC lives on—not just in stories, signs, and celebrations—but in the continued utility of the very tools it left behind. Long before Tweetsie Railroad became a theme park, Locomotive No. 12 and her cars carried timber, iron, mail, and passengers through the Appalachian Mountains. Today, that same type of flatbed car is helping with a park improvement project in the area formerly known as the Mine Scene, transporting felled trees as we enhance this part of the train ride around the mountain.
A Living Legacy
This moment feels especially meaningful as we continue the restoration of No. 12—our crown jewel and the last surviving narrow-gauge engine from the original ET&WNC line. After decades of faithful service at Tweetsie Railroad, No. 12 is receiving a full restoration to ensure she’ll steam again for future generations.
Restoration work has revealed that the locomotive’s firebox—where the heat that powers the boiler is generated—must be completely rebuilt. It’s a complicated, highly customized process that requires skilled craftsmanship and precision. While we have her in pieces, we’re also taking the opportunity to replace sections of the boiler—another vital part of the engine’s heart.
This kind of in-depth work isn’t just about bringing a train back to life. It’s about preserving a legacy that connects communities. From Johnson City, where No. 12 first steamed out in 1917, to Blowing Rock, where she’s been delighting families since 1957, the story of this locomotive spans more than a century—and it’s still unfolding.
More Than a Train
You don’t have to be a railroad enthusiast to appreciate what’s happening here. Whether you’re a parent watching your child wave at the train, a railroad history buff, or just someone who values craftsmanship and continuity, this project is for you.
Because when that flatbed car rolls by with a load of logs—doing the very job it was designed to do—it’s more than a nod to the past. It’s a symbol of our commitment to honoring the ET&WNC’s legacy by keeping it active, alive, and meaningful.
Stay tuned for more updates on the restoration of No. 12 and our ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate this shared history.