Question: What is the origin of Tweetsie Railroad?
Answer: The history of Tweetsie Railroad dates back to 1866, when the Tennessee legislature granted the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad company permission to construct a railroad. The narrow-gauge railroad began operations in 1882 after 50 miles of track were laid through the Blue Ridge Mountains dividing Tennessee and North Carolina. Additional tracks were later laid to Boone, North Carolina. The nickname Tweetsie was given to the railroad by locals who became accustomed to hearing the “tweet, tweet” train whistles.
