‘Little Engine That Could’ Chugs Through Bryson City April 14-16
By SMN

The Little Engine That Could will return to Bryson City for its second run with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Friday, April 14, through Sunday, April 16, and again Friday through Sunday, April 21 through 23.

The engine — modeled after the storybook character by the same name — is the creation of Strasburgs Rail Road Company and was specially made for the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s partner company Rail Events, Inc.

When Linn Moedinger, president and chief mechanical officer of Strasburg Rail Road Company, was asked if his company could build The Little Engine That Could, he gave the only natural response — “I think I can, I think I can!”

And so that’s what Strasburg Rail Road Company did.

However, the concept of turning a storybook train into a heavy-duty steam engine presented certain design challenges.

“A drawing doesn’t have to operate on a railroad track,” Moedinger said.
More than a dozen people worked on designing and constructing the actual engine.

“We had to make a few modifications to the original design as we went along,” said Moedinger.

“Complying with Federal Railroad Administration Safety Appliance Act of Congress was the biggest hurdle. We’d work awhile on such things as the bell, headlight and grab irons, and then the FRA inspectors would come out and check it. The engine was painted with marine paint — bright blue with a yellow bell and wheels. The whistle and bell are operable…the smile on the smokestack face stays in place.”

The project took about seven months to complete.

“I remember the story of The Little Engine That Could from childhood,” Moedinger said. “It teaches lessons that I have learned with Strasburg. It takes perseverance, determination and courage to climb a mountain … to save a life.

Tickets to the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s Little Engine event are $15 for ages 1 and over, which includes the train ride and an entire day of activities.

Advance ticket sales are available by calling 800.872.4681 or 828.586.8811. Reservations are strongly suggested. Seating is on a limited basis and tickets are expected to sell out quickly.