Secret City Scenic Excursion Train

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Secret City Scenic Excursion Train
presented by the
Southern Appalachia Railway Museum
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
(865) 241-2140

About the Trip

[Loading passengers for excursion]

Turn the clock back to yesteryear and return to the heyday of passenger railroading with the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum's Secret City Scenic Excursion Train.

Trains depart from the Heritage Center (formerly K-25) near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, an historic Department of Energy facility where research and development plunged the United States into the Atomic Age. The train winds along Poplar Creek and Highway 327 in the beautiful hills and valleys of East Tennessee. The northern portion of the route was featured in the movie October Sky. Additional route and facility history is available, as are views of a typical trip.

Each round trip travels approximately 14 miles and lasts about one hour. Trains are pulled by 1950's vintage Alco diesel locomotives. Seating is in an air-conditioned coach and a dining car, both restored from the 1940's era of passenger railroading. An open-air concession car has souvenirs and snacks for sale. Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Lap children two and under are free. Group rates are available for groups of 24 or more. Advance reservations for all seats are highly recommended. Tickets will be sold the day of each trip if space is available. Please note that non-US citizens are required to provide passport and visa information prior to boarding the train.
Excursion Train Schedule

The Secret City Scenic Excursion Train generally runs on the first and third Saturday of each month from April-September. In October, November, and December the train runs on Satudays and Sundays of selected weekends. Trains normally run at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm on Saturdays, and 1pm and 3pm on Sundays. Please check our detailed schedule for exact dates and times. Reservations are suggested, especially during the fall months.
Tickets

To reserve tickets for pickup at the train, call (865) 241-2140 and indicate the date, time, and number of tickets for the trip desired. To order tickets by mail, send the ticket order form indicating times, dates, number of passengers, and type of seating along with a check made out to SARM to P.O. Box 6756, Oak Ridge, TN 37831. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so that a ticket confirmation form can be mailed to you. We accept cash and checks, but no credit cards.
[Caboose]
Caboose Rides

Caboose rides may be chartered for up to ten people ($100). When not chartered, caboose seats may be sold as regular seats one-half hour prior to departure.
Charter Trains

The entire train may be chartered for special events such as company parties, dinners, weddings, etc. Catering is available. Detailed charter information is available, or call (865) 241-2140 for details.

Please note: Because the Museum is an all volunteer effort our phone is not answered every day. Please leave a message and we will try to get back to you shortly.
The Dinner Train at Oak Ridge

The Dinner Train at Oak Ridge, hosted by the Secret City Scenic Excursion Train and Oliver's Restaurants and Catering, anticipates running regularly scheduled dates in 2006. Call (865) 241-2140 for details about the dinner train.
Directions to the Train Boarding Area

Trains depart from the Heritage Center (former K-25 facility) ten miles west of downtown Oak Ridge, Tennessee. From I-40, take Highway 58 at Exit 356 and travel north (towards Oak Ridge) approximately 5 miles to the Heritage Center. Turn left into the main entrance of the plant (if you pass a stop light on Hwy. 58, you've gone too far). Take the first left inside the plant, cross the railroad tracks, and look for our small white-and-green "Wheat" station. Note: Signs are posted only on days when the excursion train operates.

Another option is to take exit 364 from I-40 and travel northwest on Hwy. 95 for 6 miles to Highway 58, then southwest (towards Kingston on Hwy. 58) two miles to the Heritage Center. (It is about a mile past the stop light.) Turn right at the main entrance into the plant, take the first left inside the plant, cross the railroad tracks, and look for "Wheat" station.

From downtown Oak Ridge, take Highway 95 south (Oak Ridge Turnpike) for 8 miles to Highway 58, then travel two miles southwest (towards Kingston on Hwy. 58) to the Heritage Center. (It is about a mile past the stop light.) Turn right at the main entrance into the plant, take the first left inside the plant, cross the railroad tracks, and look for "Wheat" station.

From Oliver Springs or Harriman, turn south off Highway 61 onto Highway 327 at Blair and take Blair Road (Hwy. 327) to Hwy. 58. Turn right on Hwy. 58 and go about one mile to the main entrance of the Heritage Center. (It is about a mile past the stop light.) Turn right at the main entrance into the plant, take the first left inside the plant, cross the railroad tracks, and look for "Wheat" station.
Additional Trip Information

* Trains run rain or shine. Please arrive one-half hour before your departure time. This allows passengers time to check in.
* Ticket confirmations are sent by mail when order is accompanied by a stamped envelope. Tickets are available for pickup at the boarding area.
* Please, no sandals or open-toed shoes of any kind.
* Souvenirs, drinks, and snacks are available for purchase in the commissary car.
* Smoking is permitted in vestibules only while on board the train.
* Disabled passengers requiring assistance must be accompanied by a ticketed care-giver. Museum equipment is historical in nature and not fully equipped for special needs.
* Firearms, explosives, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
* Bags carried onto the train are subject to search by East Tennessee Technology Park security personnel.
* Non-US citizens are required to provide passport and visa information prior to boarding the train.
* For additional information, call (865) 241-2140 for details. Please note: Because the Museum is an all volunteer effort our phone is not answered every day. Please leave a message and we will try to get back to you shortly.

Please make a day of your visit to Oak Ridge - and tell them you rode the train!

This page last revised: April 10, 2008