- Branson Scenic Railway
The Branson Scenic Railway is a heritage railroad in
Branson, Missouri .It operates tourist trains in the scenic
Ozark Mountains between Branson north toGalena, Missouri , or between Branson south to the Barren Fork Trestle inArkansas . Each train operates for approximately 40 miles as a round trip.Equipment
The railroad operates a variety of vintage railroad equipment, including two
dome car s, a dining car, and several coaches built by theBudd Company . Power is provided by anEMD F7 A unit on the northbound end of the train and anEMD GP30 on the southbound end of the train. This arrangement makes it possible to make the return trip without having to use a wye junction or apassing siding .History
The railroad was originally built as the White River Railway between 1902 and 1905. Because of the rugged terrain of the Ozarks, a number of
trestle s andtunnel s were required in order to create a level railroad grade. The railroad made it possible for tourists to travel into the region, and it helped to make Branson and the Ozarks the tourism destination it is today.The Branson Scenic Railway tourist trains depart from a historic depot in downtown Branson and use trackage still in operation by the
Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad . Traffic on the MNA determines whether the train will operate northbound or southbound.References
* [http://bransontrain.com/ Branson Scenic Railway]
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