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Doe River Gorge announces Christmas Train to launch in 2023


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Doe River Gorge announces Christmas Train to launch in 2023

Carter County, TN      by Caleb Perhne      Wednesday, April 27th 2022

 

WCYB.COM

Carter County's Doe River Gorge is embarking on a nearly $6 million project to bring a new Christmas attraction to our region. It's the Christmas train, a new attraction that will roll through starting in 2023. The idea came from a similar Christian camp in Oklahoma that ran the train. Doe River Gorge leaders asked how to start their own, but instead, they were offered all the equipment at a steep discount.

 CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WCYB) — Carter County's Doe River Gorge is embarking on a nearly $6 million project to bring a new Christmas attraction to our region.

It's the Christmas train, a new attraction that will roll through starting in 2023.

The idea came from a similar Christian camp in Oklahoma that ran the train. Doe River Gorge leaders asked how to start their own, but instead, they were offered all the equipment at a steep discount.

“We were able to buy their entire operation,” Doe River Gorge president Terry Maughon said. “all the railroad equipment, the track, two steam locomotives, 11 passenger coaches, stuff you can't find, 1,000 costumes.”

It will include 2.2 miles of track, telling the story of Jesus from creation to the resurrection. It includes large artwork boards, live scenes and audio synchronized along the track.

“We would like to have an event where we can tell people the true story of Christmas,” Maughon said.

Local business leaders have funded about 70 percent of the train project, but more help is needed.

Doe River Gorge has bought land to expand and is planning a restaurant and stores.

“This would be quite an attraction that will have a great economic benefit,” fundraising co-chair Dan Eldridge said. “Not just for Carter County but for the whole region. It's compelling to me.”

Source:   https://wcyb.com/news/local/doe-river-gorge-announces-christmas-train-to-launch-in-2023

 

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The true meaning of Christmas and trains!!!  A great combination!!!  I wish I lived closer.  This camp is on or near the old right-of-way for the narrow gauge railroad, the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad.  This is my favorite little railroad and I have several models of the locomotives that once ran on it.  This little mountain line was know as the railroad with a heart because it meant so much to the people who lived in the area it served.  The camp owns the right-of-way through the most scenic portion of the line, the Doe River Gorge hence the name.  I look forward to seeing and hearing more from this group.  They have some knowledgeable railroad people helping them, so this will be a great experience!!!

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This would be amazing to go and check out. We have the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter just over the Ohio River in Kentucky. Now this, what an amazing addition this will be to Tennessee!

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8 hours ago, Tommy said:

The true meaning of Christmas and trains!!!  A great combination!!!

Doesn't get much better than that. ❤️

8 hours ago, Tommy said:

This is my favorite little railroad and I have several models of the locomotives that once ran on it.

Awe . . . that's adorable! I've always loved model railroads (especially ones used with little Christmas villages).

8 hours ago, Tommy said:

This little mountain line was know as the railroad with a heart because it meant so much to the people who lived in the area it served.

I love that. "The railroad with a heart" (we need more of that, nowadays more than ever).

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58 minutes ago, Santa SteveKl said:

This would be amazing to go and check out. We have the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter just over the Ohio River in Kentucky. Now this, what an amazing addition this will be to Tennessee!

Indeed, it would. Off-topic, but, although I've heard really good things about the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter, I've never been there myself (never know if it's worth the cost, although maybe I'd go with a tour group). As to this new edition to Tennessee, what an amazing opportunity, combining the true meaning of Christmas with railroads!

Railroads themselves, I think, also remind people of a simpler time, when everything wasn't so rushed. We should really get back to that (at least a little). Small towns (and the railroad that connects them) can teach us all about slowing down and smelling the roses (or maybe the poinsettias, in this case).

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3 minutes ago, Sundblom Santa said:

Indeed, it would. Off-topic, but, although I've heard really good things about the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter, I've never been there myself (never know if it's worth the cost, although maybe I'd go with a tour group). As to this new edition to Tennessee, what an amazing opportunity, combining the true meaning of Christmas with railroads!

Railroads themselves, I think, also remind people of a simpler time, when everything wasn't so rushed. We should really get back to that (at least a little). Small towns (and the railroad that connects them) can teach us all about slowing down and smelling the roses (or maybe the poinsettias, in this case).

I have not been to the Ark Encounter yet, but I have been to Creation Museum several times. It is definitely worth it!

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Wonder if they would be interested in building one over here :)

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