Craggy Mountain Line in Woodfin (Asheville), North Carolina

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Woodfin (Asheville), North Carolina · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesPublic rides Thursdays and Saturdays at 4 pm in season; Jingle Bell Trolley in December

The Craggy Mountain Line is a volunteer nonprofit that saved the last stretch of the old Asheville to Craggy Branch in 2001 and now runs open-air trolley rides along the French Broad River while restoring the cars it has rescued.

  • Nonprofit formed in 2001
  • About 3.45 miles of historic track
  • 7-mile open-air round trip
  • Rides Thursdays and Saturdays, 4 pm
  • Jingle Bell Trolley each December
  • Whole-railroad group rentals

Craggy Mountain Line at a glance

Hours
Public rides Thursdays and Saturdays at 4 pm beginning in spring; call to confirm the season
Admission
As of October 2026: $17 per person, children 3 and under free; pay at the depot
Train rides
7-mile round-trip open-air trolley ride, about 1 hour 15 to 25 minutes
Seasonal events
Jingle Bell Trolley, Fourth of July ride, Easter Trolley, Hayride on the Rails
Plan for
About 1.5 hours
Best for
Families with young kids and Asheville visitors wanting a short ride
Best ages
Toddlers to age 10

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Craggy Mountain Line? 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 Woodfin (Asheville).

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Volunteers who bought the last miles of the Craggy Branch

The Asheville to Craggy Branch was part of the Southern Railway network in Woodfin Township, Buncombe County, and its track has carried trains for well over a century. When the line's final miles were at risk, a group of local rail enthusiasts formed Craggy Mountain Line, Inc. in 2001 to acquire the last three miles and keep them in operable condition for the public.

Today the nonprofit operates about 3.45 miles of the branch. From the start its volunteers have worked to rehabilitate the track and bring historic equipment back to operating or display condition: cabooses, boxcars, a baggage car, work equipment and an Asheville trolley built in 1927. The collection also includes transit cars from Chicago and New York City alongside cars with local Asheville history.

The group, known locally as the Craggy, has big plans and says plainly that it relies on volunteers to build them and donations to pay for them. Its goals include a public museum about the line and its role in the area's growth, more restored cars and engines, a trolley and interurban operation, model railroad and railcar clubs, year-round seasonal trains, and even letting community nonprofits use boxcars to store food and clothing for distribution. President Rocky Hollifield is the group's point of contact.

An open-air trolley ride along the French Broad

Public rides leave the depot at 111 North Woodfin Avenue and run 7 miles round trip to the end of the line and back in an open-air trolley car, with views over the mountain and along the French Broad River. The train stops at a riverside park in Woodfin, where you can stroll by the water, picnic or play games before heading back. The whole trip takes about an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half.

Around the depot you can see the restored and in-progress rolling stock: Southern Caboose 582 from 1970, Operation Lifesaver Caboose 488, a 1925 caboose numbered 90885, Asheville Trolley 119 from 1927, Edwards Car 9505, Southern Baggage Car 109, and boxcars, a tank car, a flat car and maintenance equipment. Group rentals include access to all display cars, cabooses and the engine.

Don’t miss

  1. Asheville Trolley 119Built in 1927, this car ties the collection directly to Asheville's own transit history.
  2. Southern Caboose 582The volunteers' showpiece caboose, with its own gallery on the line's website.
  3. Operation Lifesaver Caboose 488A 1970 caboose that volunteers repainted inside and out, with fresh stencils and window seats.
  4. The French Broad River viewsThe open-air ride runs over the mountain and along the river, the reason most families come.
  5. The riverside park stopA mid-ride stop in Woodfin lets kids stretch their legs, picnic and play by the water.

Short rides, Santa and room to run

The open-air trolley, the park stop and the cabooses make this an easy outing with kids, and children 3 and under ride free. For the youngest riders, the Jingle Bell Trolley in December is just 25 minutes and 2 miles round trip, followed by a visit with Santa at the depot. The railroad has also run an Easter Trolley with an egg hunt at the riverside park, a Fourth of July ride and Hayride on the Rails in past years.

The cars are open air, so dress for the weather, especially for the December ride. Birthday parties and picnics are welcome through group rentals.

Plan your visit: tips for Craggy Mountain Line

  • Call 828-808-4877 to reserve, especially for groups.
  • Dress for the weather; the trolley is open air.
  • Bring a picnic for the riverside park stop.
  • Check the Facebook page for the latest schedule and event news.
  • Whole-railroad rentals for parties start at $125 for two hours.

The Jingle Bell Trolley is the line's best-loved tradition, reaching its 14th year in 2025: a 25-minute, 2-mile open-air ride down the mountain and back, with Santa waiting at the depot. Watch the railroad's Facebook page for this year's dates, and see our list of Christmas train rides in North Carolina for more holiday options.

Run by volunteers, funded by donations

Craggy Mountain Line, Inc. is a nonprofit run entirely by volunteers, led by president Rocky Hollifield. Every restored car and repaired section of track is their work. The group asks for help in two ways: time, from people willing to restore equipment and rehabilitate track, and donations to fund its museum and restoration plans. Buying a ride ticket or renting the railroad for a party helps too.

Mountain rail stops near Asheville

The Old Fort Railroad Museum is about 22 miles east, at the foot of the Blue Ridge grade. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City is about 50 miles west for a longer excursion, and Tweetsie Railroad is about 64 miles northeast. See every train museum in North Carolina for more.

Every train museum in North Carolina

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The Craggy trolley is open air, so there is no glass at all between you and the French Broad River. In our book, Rally gets an arched window and the ocean, and he greets a white bird like an old friend. I think he would be just as happy here, nose in the breeze, watching the water go by. My mom loved that kind of quiet view. Her story is on our story page.

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
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

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

Work or volunteer at Craggy Mountain Line?

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

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Craggy Mountain Line: 20 questions riders ask

What is the Craggy Mountain Line?

The Craggy Mountain Line is a volunteer-run nonprofit railroad in Woodfin, just north of downtown Asheville. Formed in 2001, it operates about 3.45 miles of the historic Asheville to Craggy Branch of the former Southern Railway, restores historic rail cars, and offers open-air trolley rides to the public.

Where is the Craggy Mountain Line in Asheville?

The depot is at 111 North Woodfin Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804, in Woodfin near I-26 north of downtown. Directions shared online suggest taking the Elk Mountain Road and Woodfin exit and following signs. The railroad's website has a Directions page, or call 828-808-4877.

How much are Craggy Mountain Line tickets?

As of October 2026, public train ride tickets are $17 per person, and children 3 and under ride free. You can pay at the depot or buy tickets for the seasonal trolley ride through the website. Call 828-808-4877 for reservations or to check that a ride is running.

What is the Craggy Mountain Line schedule?

Beginning in spring, the railroad offers public ticketed rides every Thursday and Saturday at 4 pm. Special rides such as the Jingle Bell Trolley run on set dates. One listing describes the operating season as May through September, so call 828-808-4877 or check the Facebook page before you go.

How long is the Craggy Mountain Line train ride?

The regular ride is a 7-mile round trip to the end of the line and back, lasting about an hour and 15 to 25 minutes including a stop at a riverside park in Woodfin. The December Jingle Bell Trolley is shorter, about 25 minutes and 2 miles round trip.

What do you see on the Craggy Mountain Line train ride?

The open-air trolley rides over the mountain and along the French Broad River, with mountain and river views most of the way. It stops at a riverside park where you can stroll by the water, picnic or play games. Back at the depot you can see restored cabooses, boxcars and an Asheville trolley.

Is the Craggy Mountain Line a real train or a trolley?

Both, in a way. Passengers ride an open-air trolley car on real railroad track, the historic Asheville to Craggy Branch of the Southern Railway. The collection also includes an engine, cabooses, freight cars and transit cars, and the group hopes to add trolley and interurban operations in the future.

What is the Jingle Bell Trolley at the Craggy Mountain Line?

The Jingle Bell Trolley is the railroad's annual Christmas ride, held for the 14th time in 2025. It is a 25-minute, 2-mile round trip down the mountain and back in the open-air trolley, followed by a visit with Santa at the depot. Dress warmly, and watch the website or Facebook for dates.

Does the Craggy Mountain Line run a Christmas train?

Yes, the Jingle Bell Trolley serves as its Christmas train each December, with Santa at the depot. It is short and gentle, which works well for toddlers. The railroad posts details on its website and Facebook page when tickets open, so check there in late fall.

Can you rent the Craggy Mountain Line for a birthday party?

Yes. Groups can rent the whole railroad for two hours, including the trolley ride to either of two riverside parks and access to all display cars, cabooses and the engine. As of October 2026, prices run from $125 for up to 5 people to $400 for 30 to 35. Call 828-808-4877 to book.

Is the Craggy Mountain Line good for toddlers?

Yes. Children 3 and under ride free, the regular ride is under 90 minutes with a park stop in the middle, and the Jingle Bell Trolley is only 25 minutes. The trolley is open air, so bring layers or sun protection depending on the season.

What rail cars does the Craggy Mountain Line have?

The collection includes Southern Caboose 582 and Operation Lifesaver Caboose 488, both from 1970, a 1925 caboose numbered 90885, Asheville Trolley 119 from 1927, Edwards Car 9505, Southern Baggage Car 109, boxcars, a tank car, a flat car and maintenance-of-way equipment. Volunteers continue restoring many of them.

When was the Craggy Mountain Line founded?

Craggy Mountain Line, Inc. was formed in 2001 as a nonprofit to acquire the last three miles of the Craggy Mountain line in Buncombe County. The track itself is far older; the railroad's pages date its first trains to the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Who runs the Craggy Mountain Line?

The railroad is run entirely by volunteers of Craggy Mountain Line, Inc., a nonprofit. Rocky Hollifield is its president and the contact for information at 828-808-4877 or rocky@craggymountainline.com. Volunteers handle track work, car restoration and operating the rides.

How can I volunteer or donate to the Craggy Mountain Line?

The Craggy relies on volunteers to build its projects and donations to fund them, including track rehabilitation, car restoration and a planned museum. Contact president Rocky Hollifield at 828-808-4877 or rocky@craggymountainline.com to offer your time or make a donation.

Does the Craggy Mountain Line have other seasonal events?

Yes. Past events include an annual Fourth of July ride with a layover at Woodfin's Silver-Line Park, an Easter Trolley with an egg hunt at the riverside park, and Hayride on the Rails in the fall. Not every event runs every year, so follow the Facebook page for current plans.

What should I bring on the Craggy Mountain Line?

Bring weather-appropriate clothing since the trolley is open air, and consider a picnic for the stop at the riverside park, where families can eat and play games. Cash or card for tickets at the depot is handy if you did not buy online. Comfortable shoes help for the stroll by the river.

Is the Craggy Mountain Line wheelchair accessible?

The railroad does not post accessibility details online. The ride uses an open-air trolley car on historic track, so call 828-808-4877 before your visit to ask about boarding and what volunteers can do to help.

Is there a museum at the Craggy Mountain Line?

A museum is part of the group's future plans, to display railroad memorabilia and the history of the line. For now, visitors can see restored cabooses, freight cars and the Asheville trolley around the depot, and the website has articles, letters, photos and maps about Asheville's rail lines.

What train attractions are near the Craggy Mountain Line?

The Old Fort Railroad Museum is about 22 miles away, the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society in the Johnson City area about 46 miles, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City about 50 miles, and Tweetsie Railroad about 64 miles.

Keep exploring

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Kelsey Cecil
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