Great Smoky Mountains Railroad no. 1702 pulls the 9 a.m. Nantahala Gorge excursion train across the huge trestle over Lake Fontana near Almond, North Carolina. The original Southern Railway "Murphy Branch" was located in the valley beneath the trestle, and was part of a major line relocation project in the early 1940's to accomodate the construction of the nearby Fontana Dam. The hydroelectric dam was built to help generate electric power for energy needs during World War II, resulting in the flooding of many miles of mountain valleys to create Fontana Lake. Southern's Murphy Branch closely followed the Nantahala River west from Almond towards Murphy, N.C., which required a major relocation project to elevate the track high enough to accommodate the newly formed Reservoir. Southern and Norfolk Southern operated the line into the 1980's until freight traffic declined, and the line was eventually acquired and is now operated by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Passengers can enjoy the scenic vistas and mountain beauty of southwestern North Carolina from the train. Visit www.gsmr.com for excursion information.
