A Once-a-Year Event for Railroad Enthusiasts of All Ages!
A unique weekend celebrating the history of Tweetsie Railroad, the ET&WNC Railroad, and mountain culture.
Railroad Heritage Weekend is Tweetsie Railroad’s annual celebration of steam locomotive history and the heritage of the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad (ET& WNC). Join us for two days filled with hands-on train history and railroad heritage – perfect for families, train enthusiasts, and anyone who loves American railroads.
Step back in time during Railroad Heritage Weekend at Tweetsie Railroad!
This special event honors the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad—the origin of the famous “Tweetsie”—with a full weekend dedicated to railroad history.
Railroad Heritage Weekend Highlights
- Historic Steam Train Rides aboard our narrow-gauge locomotives
- Interactive Exhibits & Historical Displays featuring rare artifacts and photos
- Meet Railroad Experts and learn about the history of railroading and the engineering behind steam locomotives
- Family-Friendly Activities across the park, included with regular admission
Ticket & Pricing Information
- Railroad Heritage Weekend activities are included with a Daily Admission ticket to Tweetsie Railroad. (Note: this is a two-day event; you will need to purchase two daily admission tickets or a Golden Rail Season Pass to participate in the full weekend.)
- Daily Admission tickets are $65 for adults (age 13+), $45 for children ( ages 3-12) and free for toddlers (age 2 and under).
- Parking is always free.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29
10:00 a.m.
Park Opens
View and photograph the morning locomotive preparations after the park opens. The Locomotive Shop will be closed to visitors at this time, but available for three tours later in the day.
10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
History Exhibit is open in the Tweetsie Junction
See historic and rare artifacts and multimedia presentations about the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad (ET&WNC) and Tweetsie Railroad.
10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Coach No. 5 in front of the Locomotive Shop
Guests can climb aboard and tour Tweetsie Railroad’s 1870s vintage Coach No. 5.
10:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Locomotive No. 190 (former White Pass & Yukon “Yukon Queen”) Wild West Train
Ride behind locomotive No. 190 (built 1943) as she transports Guests and Railfans alike on a 3-mile journey back into the Wild West. Boarding on Main Street.
11:30 a.m., 2:30 & 4:30 p.m.
Locomotive Shop Tour
See the equipment, tools, and machines that help keep our locomotives operating. Meet in front of the Shop five minutes prior to the scheduled tour. (Age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.)
1:30 & 3:30 p.m.
“The Journey Home: Locomotive No. 12 from Homecoming Day to Tweetsie Railroad”
Historical presentation by Johnny Graybeal
Tweetsie Junction - Pavilion
6:30 p.m.
Evening Photo Special
An exclusive opportunity for ticketed Guests to photograph Locomotive No. 190 with the excursion cars. Locations for the photo run-bys will be at the Trestle and the Frontier Outpost, with two run-bys at each stop. (Guests must be 16 years or older to be permitted to get off the train at the designated photo run-by locations.)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
10:00 a.m.
Park Opens
View and photograph the morning locomotive preparations after the park opens. The Locomotive Shop will be closed to visitors at this time, but available for a tour later in the day.
10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
History Exhibit is open in the Tweetsie Junction
See historic and rare artifacts and multimedia presentations about the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad (ET&WNC) and Tweetsie Railroad.
10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Coach No. 5 in front of the Locomotive Shop
Guests can climb aboard and tour Tweetsie Railroad’s 1870s vintage Coach No. 5.
10:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Locomotive No. 190 (former White Pass & Yukon “Yukon Queen”) Wild West Train
Ride behind locomotive No. 190 (built 1943) as she transports Guests and Railfans alike on a 3-mile journey back into the Wild West. Boarding on Main Street.
1:30 p.m.
The Journey Home: Locomotive No. 12 from Homecoming Day to Tweetsie Railroad”
Historical presentation by Johnny Graybeal
Tweetsie Junction - Pavilion
2:30 p.m.
Locomotive Shop Tour
See the equipment, tools, and machines that help keep our locomotives operating. Meet in front of the Shop five minutes prior to the scheduled tour. (Age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.)
Please note, there are no cab rides. No photography will be allowed at the Trestle or the Frontier Outpost during the day.
Photos may be taken from the Hacienda.
Customer Reviews
"Absolutely worth every penny and drive if you have to make a drive. My kid loves steam engines and this was top tier! We rode the train many times. lt's railroad heritage weekend so we got to ride it even longer with stops to jump off and take video and pics of the train barreling up the track! 10/10" ★★★★★
Find answers to the most common questions about Railroad Heritage Weekend at Tweetsie Railroad, from tickets to park hours.
The park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on August 29 & 30, for Railroad Heritage Weekend.
Yes! The event offers interactive displays, family rides, and history experiences for all ages, and you don’t have to be a railroad fan to enjoy the weekend offerings..
Historic train rides, special exhibits, behind-the-scenes restoration updates, expert talks, and a full day at the theme park, all included with a Daily Admission ticket.
No, this once a year event is included with a Daily Admission ticket to the theme park.
Yes, Golden Rail Season Pass holders have unlimited daytime admission to Tweetsie Railroad.
On Saturday, August 29th, after the park closes, we provide an exclusive opportunity for Guests who are already admitted to the park to photograph Locomotive No. 190 with the excursion cars. Guests must be 16 years or older to get off the train at the designated photo run-by locations.
Drones are prohibited at Tweetsie Railroad. Tripods and selfie sticks are permitted as long as they do not affect the experience of other Guests.
Yes, if you enter the park after 3:00 p.m. on the first day of Railroad Heritage Weekend, you can come back for free on the next day. Please note: this would also allow you to attend the Saturday Evening Photo Special.
For general park questions, including parking, photography, etc. see Park FAQs.
2026 Tweetsie Railroad Heritage Weekend Schedule - TBA