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 Posted - July 22 2010 : 01:00:25 AM
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One of the biggest reasons we went to Branson, Missouri was the Scenic Railway. It sounded great, so we booked our tickets and got ready.
Just before we left, I read MANY negative reviews online, so I got worried.
Well, after the trip, I can confidently say: forget the reviews, ride the train!
My whole family had a blast. The train consists of two locomotives, one at each end, and several passenger cars. Two are domes, and one has a snack bar. When you board, there are no reserved seats. You can move around throughout the trip. It's about and hour and 40 minutes long. The train goes out, stops on a high trestle, and reverses it's route back. There are two tunnels. My family absolutely loved it. We spent most of the trip in a dome car, and just had a great time. Here are a few pics:
This is the station and one of the locos. It's an ex-B&O if I remember right. The other end has a GP30, ex C&O. Cars are mostly ex Zephyrs.
/tyco/forum/uploaded/burlington77/20100722003749_bsr1.jpg
The view out my dome looking back at the other dome as we leave a tunnel.
/tyco/forum/uploaded/burlington77/20100722003830_bsr2.jpg
This was taken while parked on the trestle. The F9 pulled us back home.
/tyco/forum/uploaded/burlington77/20100722003852_bsr3.jpg
Here's another shot coming out of the tunnel.
/tyco/forum/uploaded/burlington77/20100722003912_bsr4.jpg
The comments online were so negative, I feel like addressing them. The seating is "open" but you do board based on ticket number. Lower numbers first. Of course we ran straight to the dome. That's just the way it is. Book tickets early.
The view is mostly trees. Some people don't like that, but seriously...what do you expect? It's the Ozarks. Having said that, the domes are definitely the way to go. I could see where the regular seats might not see much more than the trees right outside the window.
The train doesn't allow you to bring your own food or drink . But who cares? For just $2.50, you get a Coke in a BSR collectible plastic cup. I bought three.
The heat. The cars are air conditioned, in fact a couple are downright cold. But we went on a 95+ degree day with a heat advisory, and at 2:00. The AC in the dome just can't keep up. So the domes get hot, but the view more than makes up for it. Plus, if you think about it, it's more authentic...not all trains had the AC so this is like riding in luxury for the time. It was fun for us...the other passengers scurried away into the cold on the trip back, so we had the dome mostly to ourselves for the return trip.
There are all kinds of other nitpicky complaints online about this place, but we definitely had a great time. If you've never ridden a real train or you just want to again, you should check it out. Details about the loco and cars' heritage are available on their site.
http://www.bransontrain.com/
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Posted - July 22 2010 : 7:54:22 PM
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Thanks for the Branson info. My wife and I are already planning a trip in mid November and you've provided several very good activity ideas.
Thanks
Bill
Cheers
Bill
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Posted - July 22 2010 : 9:15:21 PM
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| Mid Nov. should be a good time. The weather will be cool, and the trees will have changed. I will warn you though--the town doesn't deal well with snow. They shut down and panic at the slightest hint. You probably won't have that problem in November, but it's possible. I've been in the snow and it's still fun, especially listening to them all panic. They just aren't as used to it as we are farther North.
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Posted - July 22 2010 : 9:54:26 PM
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 I live in a Dallas suburb ... but I don't have the same hills as Branson.
Cheers
Bill
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Posted - July 22 2010 : 10:06:11 PM
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| Oh, I see. Then you aren't use to snow either! If it's hills you want to see, the train is good for that, especially if you get the dome. You can also just drive Hwy. 65 North a few miles between Branson and Ozark for some great views. Also, the loop of highway on the South side of Branson/Hollister across Table Rock Dam is not to be missed. All of that stuff is within a 5-10 minute drive of the main drag through town. Don't worry about the weather though...snow in Nov. doesn't really happen often there.
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Posted - July 23 2010 : 01:25:47 AM
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Nice pics! Looks like fun.
I just realized I've never been on a streamliner like that I've been on Amtrak superliners, and some steam train excursions, but never a genuine stainless steel streamliner. That's pretty sad, especially considering I live near a Via Rail line. Ah well, some day...
Edited by - DaCheez on July 23 2010 01:26:33 AM
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