Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Georgia
Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesTrains run March through December
The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway leaves the historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge for a 26-mile round trip along the Toccoa River to McCaysville, Georgia, where a two-hour layover gives families time for lunch and a step across the Tennessee line.
- 26-mile round trip on the Toccoa River
- Depot built in 1905
- Two-hour layover in McCaysville
- Open cars and Premier Class
- Santa Trains Thanksgiving to Christmas
- Runs March through December
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway at a glance
- Hours
- Seasonal, March through December; check brscenic.com for the schedule
- Admission
- Varies by car and train; check brscenic.com for current fares
- Train rides
- 26-mile round trip to McCaysville, about four hours with a two-hour layover
- Seasonal events
- Fall foliage rides, Firecracker Special, Santa Trains, New Year's Eve Excursion
- Plan for
- About 4 hours
- Best for
- Families, couples and fall color trips
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- WhereBlue Ridge, Georgia(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(877) 413-8724
- Websitebrscenic.com(opens in a new tab)
Follow Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Blue Ridge Scenic Railway? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Blue Ridge.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
A mountain railroad town and its river train
Blue Ridge grew up as a railroad town, with its historic depot at the center of downtown. In the early 1900s, visitors rode the train in to enjoy the health resort's mineral waters, and the depot that still anchors Depot Street dates to 1905.
Today the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway keeps passenger trains running from that depot through the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, following the Toccoa River to McCaysville, Georgia, the sister city of Copperhill, Tennessee. Southern Living named the railway one of the top five attractions for experiencing fall color. The railway's own site now uses the name Blue Ridge Railway, and it is the place to check current schedules, fares and special trains before you plan a trip.
Along the Toccoa to the state line
The standard excursion is a 26-mile round trip that takes about four hours in all, including a two-hour layover in McCaysville. Riders choose an enclosed car, an open rail car or Premier Class. In McCaysville, families can have lunch and walk to the Blue Line painted across the street, where you can stand with one foot in Georgia and one in Tennessee.
Don’t miss
- The Blue Line in McCaysvilleStand with one foot in Georgia and the other in Tennessee during the layover.
- An open rail carOpen cars give the fullest view of the Toccoa River along the route.
- The 1905 Blue Ridge depotThe historic depot sits at the heart of downtown Blue Ridge, where every trip begins.
Open cars, a river and a two-state photo
Kids tend to love the open rail cars and the chance to straddle the Georgia and Tennessee line in McCaysville. The full outing runs about four hours, so pack snacks and plan the layover around lunch. Mountain weather can change quickly; bring layers, especially for open cars in spring and fall. The railway's site lists any age-based fares and seating details.
Plan your visit: tips for Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
- Fall foliage trains run from October through mid November and are popular.
- Plan to eat lunch during the two-hour layover in McCaysville.
- Pack layers; mountain weather can be unpredictable.
- Call 1-877-413-8724 or check brscenic.com for the current schedule.
The railway's busiest special trains come late in the year. Fall foliage rides run from October into mid November, and Santa Trains run from Thanksgiving until Christmas, followed by a New Year's Eve Excursion. In summer, look for the Firecracker Special. Dates and fares change each season, so check the railway's schedule early, and see our roundup of Christmas train rides in Georgia for other holiday trips.
Who runs the train
The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway operates its excursions from the depot in downtown Blue Ridge, and riding the train is the best way to support it. For questions about tickets, groups or special trains, call 1-877-413-8724 or use the railway's website.
More trains within an hour or so of Blue Ridge
The Historic L&N Depot in Etowah, Tennessee is about 34 miles away. Chattanooga's Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is about 53 miles, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City is about 63 miles. Find more in our guide to Georgia train museums.
- Historic L&N DepotEtowah, TN · about 34 mi
- Tennessee Valley Railroad MuseumChattanooga, TN · about 53 mi
- Chattanooga Choo Choo Historic Terminal StationChattanooga, TN · about 58 mi
- Lookout Mountain Incline RailwayChattanooga, TN · about 59 mi
- Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive HistoryKennesaw, GA · about 62 mi
- Southeastern Railway MuseumDuluth, GA · about 62 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
A four-hour trip with lunch in another town means packing with care, which always makes me think of Rally getting ready in our book. He packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball, the things that matter most to a corgi. My kids pack their own little bags now when we travel, and they take it just as seriously as he does.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Georgia: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Georgia
- Halloween train rides in Georgia
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Blue Ridge Scenic Railway?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Blue Ridge Scenic Railway official website(opens in a new tab)
- Blue Ridge Scenic Railway on Tripadvisor(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway: 20 questions riders ask
Where does the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway depart from?
Trains leave from the historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, a building that dates to 1905 and sits at the center of town. The route follows the Toccoa River to McCaysville, Georgia, on the Tennessee line. For directions and parking, call the railway at 1-877-413-8724 or check brscenic.com.
How much are Blue Ridge Scenic Railway tickets?
Fares vary by car type and by train, with enclosed cars, open rail cars and Premier Class available, and special trains priced separately. Current 2026 ticket prices are posted on the railway's tickets page at brscenic.com, so check there before you book, or call 1-877-413-8724.
Does the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offer senior or military discounts?
The railway does not post senior or military discounts on the pages most visitors see first. Check the tickets page at brscenic.com or call 1-877-413-8724 and ask directly about senior, military, group or child pricing before you buy.
Are there Blue Ridge Scenic Railway discount or promo codes?
The railway does not advertise promo codes publicly. Any current offers would appear on its official tickets page at brscenic.com. Be careful with third-party deal sites, and buy directly from the railway or call 1-877-413-8724 so you know your seats and train date are confirmed.
What is the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway schedule for 2026?
Trains run from March through December, with extra fall foliage trips from October through mid November and holiday trains at the end of the year. Exact departure days and times change by season, so check the current schedule at brscenic.com or call 1-877-413-8724 before you plan your day.
Is the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway running today?
The railway operates on scheduled days between March and December, not every day. To see whether a train is running today, check the live schedule and ticket availability at brscenic.com or call 1-877-413-8724. Popular fall and holiday trains can sell out ahead of time.
How long is the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway train ride?
The full outing takes about four hours. The 26-mile round trip between Blue Ridge and McCaysville includes a two-hour layover in McCaysville, so the time actually on the train is about two hours. Plan to have lunch and explore during the layover.
Where does the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway go?
The train runs along the Toccoa River from Blue Ridge to McCaysville, Georgia, the sister city of Copperhill, Tennessee, and then returns. In McCaysville you can walk to the Blue Line painted on the street and stand in Georgia and Tennessee at the same time.
Is there a map of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway route?
The route follows the Toccoa River between downtown Blue Ridge and McCaysville, a 26-mile round trip. The railway's website is the best place to find its route map and boarding details. For the layover, McCaysville's downtown and the Georgia and Tennessee state line are an easy walk from the train.
What kinds of train cars does the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway have?
Riders can choose an enclosed indoor car, an open rail car or Premier Class. Open cars give the best views of the river and mountains, while enclosed cars are more comfortable in cool or wet weather. Check brscenic.com for current car options and fares.
Does the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway have rail bikes or pedal cars?
The railway's train excursions are its main offering, and rail bike or pedal car rides are not described on the pages most visitors see. If you want to pedal the rails, check brscenic.com or call 1-877-413-8724 to ask what is offered this season.
Does the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway have a Christmas train?
Yes. Santa Trains run from Thanksgiving until Christmas, and a New Year's Eve Excursion closes out the year. Holiday tickets tend to go quickly, so check dates and prices at brscenic.com early in the fall and book as soon as the schedule opens.
Does the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway run a Polar Express?
The railway's holiday trains are its Santa Trains, which run from Thanksgiving until Christmas, rather than a Polar Express themed ride. Check brscenic.com for the current holiday lineup, what each train includes and ticket availability.
When is the best time for fall colors on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway?
Fall foliage rides run from October through mid November. Southern Living named the railway one of the top five attractions for experiencing fall color, so these trips are popular and should be booked early. An open rail car gives the best view of the leaves.
What can you do in McCaysville on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway layover?
During the two-hour layover, most riders have lunch in McCaysville and walk across the Blue Line on the street into Copperhill, Tennessee. It is a fun photo spot for kids, since you can stand with one foot in each state.
Is the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway good for kids?
Yes, it is promoted as a family outing, with open cars, river views and the two-state photo stop in McCaysville. The full trip is about four hours, so it suits kids who can sit for an hour at a stretch. Pack snacks, layers and a plan for lunch.
What other special trains does the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway run?
Besides regular excursions, the railway runs fall foliage trains, the Firecracker Special, Santa Trains from Thanksgiving to Christmas and a New Year's Eve Excursion. Dates vary year to year, so check the events and schedule pages at brscenic.com.
What should I wear on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway?
Dress in layers. Mountain weather in Blue Ridge can be unpredictable, and the open rail cars can feel cool in spring and fall. Comfortable walking shoes help during the layover in McCaysville, and sunscreen and a hat are useful in summer.
When did the Blue Ridge depot open?
The historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge was built in 1905. In the early 1900s, visitors came to Blue Ridge by train to enjoy the health resort's mineral waters, and the depot remains the center of this railroad town and the boarding point for every excursion.
What train museums are near the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway?
The Historic L&N Depot in Etowah, Tennessee is about 34 miles away, and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga is about 53 miles. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City, North Carolina is about 63 miles away.
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