Smoky Mountain Trains will be the first tenant in the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s (GSMRR) newly acquired property in Bryson City.

GSMRR recently purchased the Carolina Building Supply Company adjacent to its Bryson City depot.
“It’s a strong first step. I think they have some growth plans to create a greater year-round presence in Bryson City,” Jason Walls, economic development director for Swain County, said of the railroad.

Smoky Mountain Trains will be relocating from Ohio to make Bryson City its headquarters. The company owns one of the country’s largest collection of model trains. The collection includes more than 7,000 Lionel engines, cars and accessories ranging from the Blue Comet Passenger set of 1934 to the last steam locomotive made by Lionel in the U.S. in May.

The objective of Smoky Mountain Trains is to share the spirit of model railroading with the public. The company specializes in the display of the Lionel “O” scale.

Smoky Mountain Trains will lease about 11,000 square feet for layouts, display, workshops and retail. Displays will include a freight yard with more than 400 cars plus an operating roundtable with roundhouse, buildings and animated operations. There will be an activity center where guests can try their hand at operating many of the Lionel accessories. The center will be designed to provide a link between the experience of riding the GSMRR and the fun of operating a scale model railroad, according to GSMRR officials.

Building renovations are slated to begin this fall. Smoky Mountain Trains has scheduled a grand opening for July 1, 2002.

“We’re excited about the new enterprise and the possibility of the GSMRR becoming more visible in the community,” Walls said.

 

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