Fall and winter have turned into the high season for The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad as it offers many special excursions. Most of these special trips are aimed at children, which makes them a sure-fire recipe for success.

Taking a ride on a train remains one of the more relaxing, nostalgic ways to pass time while on a mountain vacation.

Here’s a partial list of the trains that the GSMR will operate this fall and winter:

Pumpkin Patch Express

The Great Pumpkin Patch Express returns to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in October as pumpkins are ready to be carved. Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy make a visit to the Pumpkin Patch beginning Oct.10. The excursions, which are themed after Charles M. Schulz’s classic story “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” will be departing from the Bryson City Depot Oct. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 & 26. Friday departure time will be at 3 p.m.. On Saturdays and Sundays departure will be at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy. Activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch include: campfire marshmallows, a coloring station, temporary tattoos, trick or treating, petting zoo and a bouncy train. The children can also navigate through a giant hay bale maze. Other activities include: hay rides, bobbing for apples, apple cider or apple juice, and treats. There will be plenty of PEANUTS^TM merchandise at the Bryson City Depot. Each child will also select their own small pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.

$9 for adults and $5 for children.

Veteran’s Day

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will have a Veteran’s Day Train 2008 on Saturday, Nov. 8, to honor these special men and women. Departing at 10:30 a.m., passengers will return to the Bryson City depot at 3 p.m. for a special ceremony on the deck. Highlights of the excursion include traveling along the Tuckasegee River, crossing over the Fontana Lake Trestle, and into the Nantahala Gorge for a one hour layover.

GSMR will honor the military with a special fare for this excursion. Those in the military, veterans, and their immediate family can take the excursion for $20 per adult and $10 per child. All riding this excursion will enjoy patriotic music, fellowship with veterans, and participation in honoring the veterans.

Polar Express

In 1985, Chris Van Allsburg wrote The Polar Express^TM, a story of a magical train ride on Christmas Eve. The train takes a young boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus. “The Polar Express^TM,” published by Houghton Mifflin Company, has become a contemporary holiday classic, with over 6 million copies sold worldwide. In 2004 Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. reunited the Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis in an inspiring animated version. That same year GSMR began operating The Polar Express^TM based on the storybook version. Over 46,000 passengers rode The Polar Express^TM with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2007.

The 1 ?-hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at our North Pole. The Polar Express excursions will be in November and December with various dates and departure times. $38 for adults and $26 for children ages 2-12. Children under two years old ride complimentary.

For more information and reservations call 800.872.4681 or visit online at www.GSMR.com.