Has anyone ridden the train in Branson, MO. On the information site for Branson, it looks pretty cool. it travels from Branson to Arkansas and back, in a loop I think. I was wondering if its worth it? here's the link. http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/shows/info/branson-scenic-railway
It has probably been 8-10 years but my wife and I rode it. I loved it. We had an F unit on one end and a GP30 on the other. Many streamlined passenger cars including several domes. They took us out onto a high steel trestle that was impressive. A narrator told about the route and I believe it was built at the highest cost per mile at the time of its construction. Loved it and would do it again in a minute. The major disappointment was that although the gift shop carried N scale cars, none of them were for any railroads in the region.
Thanks rick773. We are going there this Sunday. With the weather the way it has been, a train ride might be the ticket. It costs just under $60.00 per adult, so I am going to have to do this. I haven't been on a train in years. I'll get some pictures to share too.
More than you wanted to know: "Traveling on a working commercial railroad line, the train's direction of travel (depending on freight traffic and/or track conditions) is determined by the Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad just prior to departure. At that time, the train will go either north or south. (All excursions depart from the old depot.) ..." "Laying the tracks for the White River Railway was possibly the most difficult construction task ever undertaken in the Ozarks. It meant creating hundreds of miles of level surface where there were only rugged hills and valleys. It meant stretching tall trestles across valleys and blasting long, damp tunnels through mountains of solid rock. The project required thousands more workers and millions more dollars than railroad construction in a more accommodating terrain." ... "The construction of the White River Railway in the early 1900s made the area accessible for tourists and is largely responsible for the development of Branson and the Ozarks as a tourism destination. Before the area’s economy was based on tourism, the railroad served a traditional industrial purpose, which continues to this day." "The railroad is known as the White River Route. The route crosses the White River in Branson, now Lake Taneycomo, and then runs along side of it after taking a fifty-mile “short cut” over the Ozark Mountains. This was part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad between Kansas City, Missouri, and Little Rock, Arkansas. It became a part of the Union Pacific after the UP bought the MOPAC. The Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad now operates the line. In 1993, the Branson Scenic Railway was formed, and through a lease arrangement with the MNA, runs excursions through this historic route March through December." ... "TRAIN EQUIPMENT BSRX 98, Locomotive, 1951 EMD F9PH, rebuilt 1981, has HEP (Formerly B&O, then MARC #83) BSRX 99, Locomotive, 1962 EMD GP30M, rebuilt 1982 (Formerly C&O, #4625) PPCX 800603, “Silver Eagle”, 1949 Budd 60 Seat Coach (Formerly the Eagle from the Texas Pacific Railroad) BSRX 3118, “Silver Lake”, 1951 Budd Buffet Lounge (Formerly the Parlor Car Casimir Pulaski from the Pennsylvania Railroad, then converted to a buffet lounge by Amtrak) BSRX 9540, “Silver Island”, 1947 Budd Dome Lounge (From CB&Q, Twin-City Zephyr) BSRX 8503, “Silver Chef”, 1956 Budd 48-Seat Diner (From CB&Q, Denver Zephyr) PPCX 800287, “Silver Garden”, 1952 Budd Dome Lounge Coach (From CB&Q, Kansas City Zephyr) PPCX 800336, “Westport”, 1939 Budd Lounge Observation (From Atlantic Coastline “Champion” Train) BSRX 9320, “Silver Terrace”, 1952 Budd Dome Observation (From CB&Q, Kansas City Zephyr)" We took the trip south over the trestle. Impressive view.
Ah. That answers my question very well. Good thing it mentions the ex-MP connection, as seeing the M&NA name was going to be a little confusing. The original M&NA was abandoned long ago.
If ya got the time, in Hollister, just south of Branson is a hobby shop (http://bransonhobbycenter.com/) that may be worth a stop. Never been there myself.
I was just wondering today, about a hobby shop in Branson. I will make a point of stopping in there. Thanks.
On my bucket list is to take a cross country Amtrak trip, regardless of how expensive it is!!! I love traveling by train. I have to bucket lists btw, one is my legitimate bucket list that is somewhat feasible, the other one is NOT IN A MILLION YEARS could I do that (do to cost or other factors)
Interested in what you thought of the ride....the reviews I read on yelp and trip advisor were not that great...
It has been awhile since I've been on here. I really like the train ride in Branson. I took pictures, so sometime I will try to upload them, It was a good day to take the train ride as it was a cold day.
