All Aboard in the Smokies and Beyond

The best places to check out model railroad displays in the Smokies and beyond

You ever wonder about the paths your life could have taken? Had you made a decision or two differently, your life could have ended up in a very different place?

There are big ones like what if I hadn’t moved to East Tennessee in high school. What if I’d picked a different college or a different profession? But then, there are smaller ones. The little things that kind of make us who we are. Our obsessions, our passions and our hobbies.

I’m prone to hobbies that become borderline obsessions. For instance, when I get into something like The Beatles or Star Wars or sports, I tend to go all the way. Maybe even beyond. I tend to be cautious in letting new things in my life because I can’t afford – at least in terms of time and somewhat, in terms of money, to fall down another rabbit hole.

One of those holes I almost fell down was model railroading. Had certain events in my life turned out differently – including had I been born with better small motor skills – I could have been a model railroad hobbyist.

A passion for trains

I think a lot of kids develop an early passion for trains. They’re big and powerful and central to many great children’s stories. All three of my kids liked trains growing up, but the middle child was absolutely obsessed with them. We’d get him model sets and he’d place his head on the floor, right next to the track so he could have the best view of his trains wooshing past. He’s older now, and his obsession has faded. However, he’s still into them and has several model sets he drags out and plays with occasionally, though he doesn’t put his head on the floor like he used to.

For me, it began as a child up North. There was a massive set up near the home of my Granddad Gullion in Northeast Ohio. I think it was in Akron but I’m not 100% on that. But it was massive. There were trains running through mountains and model towns, circus trains and more. I found it mesmerizing in the way a good aquarium can be mesmerizing. I could have watched those train run all day.

And then, back home in Ft. Wayne, the husband of one of mom’s friends had a really elaborate model set up in his basement. Every bit as good and detailed as the professional display in Akron, just on a smaller scale. But I got to interact with that one a little more – carefully, of course – but it was amazing.

When I was a little older, approaching my teenage years, I got a set or two of my own. Not yet antiques, but they certainly would be now. Papaw bolted the tracks down for me on a couple of large pieces of plywood. But it turns out that I had other obsessions on the horizon and never quite devoted myself to the level of detail necessary to really get into model training. I carried that set with me through a few moves but lost track. Frankly, I wish I still had it.

Through the years, I’ve maintained a certain level of interest in the art form. I love it when we run into a good set in the wild and can be perfectly entertained for hours just watching the model trains go. Big elaborate set ups or smaller tracks, it doesn’t really matter. I see those model trains and the pangs of a somewhat forgotten obsession begin to rise again.

When I win the lottery, I’m going to keep it quiet but there will be hints. One of them? The man cave filled with elaborate model train sets – including a Star Wars one. I’ve got it all planned. But for now, I will just visit and share with you, the best places to see model trains in the mountains.

Smoky Mountain Trains Museum

Years ago, when JP’s train obsession was at its peak, we went to Bryson City to ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. In addition to riding the train and seeing several sites where they filmed parts of the Harrison Ford classic, “The Fugitive,” our package included tickets to the Model Trains Museum. I’m always going to take the opportunity to see model trains. But, I was completely wowed by the quality and the scale. Elaborate sets on multiple levels. Two rooms with a different track in each room. Plus, another room with various types of model trains on display.

While the train ride was great, I think I’d have been just as happy staying in the museum and watching the trains run. The museum is located at 100 Greenlee St. in Bryson City, NC. For more information, follow the website here.

Apple Valley Model Railroad Museum

Located not very far from Bryson City in the Historic Hendersonville Train Depot, the Apple Valley setup is not as large or elaborate as the Smoky Mountain Train Museum. But it is absolutely top shelf in terms of class. Admission is free and offers a highly detailed set that is “prototypical of Hendersonville, Saluda, Asheville, and Western North Carolina.” They also have a nice selection of historical artifacts and a “Thomas the Tank” engine train in a scenic layout for the kids.

This one gets bonus points for being right next to the awesome Downtown Hendersonville. Visit the website here. The depot is located at 650 Maple St. in Hendersonville.

Happy’s Toy Trains

Located on the Newport Highway in Sevierville, not far from the Cocke County line, Happy’s Toy Trains offers an impressive combination of knowledgeable staff, train history and more in a surprisingly beautiful and rustic setting. It’s located in one of my favorite parts of Sevier County with rolling green hills and scenic mountain views.

When I hit the lottery, I’m going to find a piece of land nearby. From there, I can have a Hobbit Hole built above the stream – another one of my obsessions. Visiting here makes for a nice pairing if you’re going to Chestnut Hill to visit the shockingly diverting Bush Beans Visitor’s Center and Family Café. Happy’s is located at 3950 Newport Hwy. in Sevierville, TN.

Little River Model Railroad and Lumber Company Museum

Located in historic Townsend, this museum remembers the days before the National Park where lumber companies created infrastructure and communities to get the logs out of the mountains and places beyond. In addition to real life historic displays and exhibits, including a working hand car, the museum is home to a remote controlled model railroad for guests which is often rethemed for Christmas (and other holidays).

Also, during special events, vendors may set up their own displays. The museum offers information for modeling the types of Shay locomotives that were used in the lumber operation. They are located at 7747 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy. in Townsend, TN. Their Facebook page is found here.

Have you visited the train museums? What did you think? Let us know in the comments and on the socials!