BLUE RIDGE, Ga. — The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and the Kennesaw Museum Foundation are teaming up to raise money in support of the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History. Proceeds from the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway excursion on Saturday, March 28, will benefit the Museum’s educational programs.
The excursion departs downtown Blue Ridge at 11 a.m. on March 28 and travels north along the Toccoa River, winding through the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. Passengers can shop and dine during a two-hour layover in the twin border towns of McCaysville, Ga., and Copperhill, Tenn., before the one-hour return trip to Blue Ridge.
“What better way to support the Southern Museum than by taking a train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway,” said Dr. Richard Banz, executive director of the Kennesaw Museum Foundation. “The Southern Museum is dedicated to preserving and retelling the story of railroads, and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offers the rare opportunity to travel via vintage railroad equipment while taking in the beautiful scenery of North Georgia.”
When purchasing tickets both online and by phone, guests should select Closed Coach 105 or 106. When purchasing online, scroll to the bottom of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway home page to find the Southern Museum specific ride, titled “Kennesaw Railroad Museum 2015” and use the code “train” to access event as well as receive 10 percent off each ticket price. With the discount, tickets are $36 for adults, $33 for seniors and $23 for children. Children ages 0-23 months that can sit on an adult’s lap are free.
The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offers excursions seasonally, operating a consist of vintage railroad rolling stock over a portion of the Louisville & Nashville’s former Hook and Eye line that connected Marietta, Ga., and Etowah, Tenn. Excursion trains depart from 241 Depot Street in downtown Blue Ridge.
“Partnering with the Southern Museum to benefit its education mission is the perfect fit,” said Wilds Pierce, president of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and owner of the Georgia Northeastern Railroad. “We’re excited to team up with the Museum to help educate the next generation of railroad fans about the role railroads played in our region’s, state’s and country’s history.”
For more information on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, visit www.brscenic.com or call (877) 413-8724. For more information on the Southern Museum, call (770) 427-2117 ext. 3058, visit southernmuseum.org or follow the Museum at facebook.com/southernmuseum.