~ TRAIN RIDE~

Guests aboard the excursion train enjoy a 90 minute trip along the Tennessee River. Beginning the journey in Downtown Knoxville, the Rambler travels past historical sites to the “Three Rivers Trestle” where the French Broad and Holston Rivers join to form the Tennessee River.

Along the route, the Three Rivers Rambler passes by beautiful farmland, Knoxville’s first settlement area, and several quarries that were mined to build our nation’s Capital. The uniformed conductor and volunteer staff are well-versed in the local history and welcome questions during the 11-mile trip.

Enjoy the beautiful weather on our open air car, have a family reunion during the summer on our caboose, or celebrate your birthday party aboard our coach cars.

During October, enjoy the changing leaves and fall weather aboard our Pumpkin Express. When December arrives, ride the Christmas Express train ride with story telling, holiday treats, and a visit from Santa.

 

 
 

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

RESERVATIONS:865-524-9411

TICKETS

Reservations can be made by calling 865-524-9411.

Pre-paid reservations will be e-mailed/mailed a personalized ticket that they can use to board the train without waiting in line. Should a passenger forget their boarding pass we can verify their reservation with our pre-paid boarding list.

Any remaining available tickets go on sale at the ticket booth located at the train 30 minutes before departure times. Reservations for Express trains must be made in advance.

• The Rambler accepts all major credit cards, cash and checks.

•There are no refunds or exchanges for missed reservations. A $2 per ticket fee applies to date & time changes.

 

PAYMENT

•Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card, Cash and Checks are accepted. No refunds.

 

GROUP RATE

•Groups of 15 or more: $2 off ticket price

 

DISABILITY & GOLF CART SERVICE

•Limited disability access (Call for more information.)

•If you have need of the golf cart service, please call us when you arrive in the parking lot and someone will assist you.

 

SEATING

• We do not assign seats with the exception of birthday parties and areas for large groups. Seating is first come, first serve. We recommend arriving at the same time to board and sit together. You can move throughout the train as you wish and we encourage everyone to spend a little time on the open-air car.

 

COUPONS & EXCHANGE TICKETS

•Coupons cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or certificates. Vouchers, coupons, half price tickets, etc. can not be used for Express or Special Event Trains.

•Donated exchange tickets will not be honored for special event trains. Exchange and gift certificates will not be honored after they have been used or expired.

   

SCHEDULE

•If a date is not listed, we are not running an excursion that day. We haul freight Monday through Friday, so we generally run passenger trains on Saturdays.

•Pricing, schedule, motive power, and equipment subject to change without notice.

• The Rambler runs rain, shine, or snow. In eleven years of operations we have never canceled a train due to weather.

 

GENERAL

• The drinks we offer include: Coca-Cola products and bottled water. You are welcome to bring your on drinks/snacks onboard. No alcohol please.

• Restrooms are available on board the Rambler.

Smoking, firearms, weapons, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Only seeing eye/service dogs are allowed on the train.

The coach cars have limited heat/air. Please dress appropriately.

EQUIPMENT

• MOTIVE POWER:

 We have a 1925 steam engine nicknamed "Lindy" as well as a 1890 steam engine that we will unveil this summer. These engines are used on a limited "special occasion" basis. Diesel power varies, but is usually an SW-1500.

• RAILCARS

  We have two coach cars (from 1932) that each seat about 70 people in bus-like rows. We also have a merchandise car (where the restrooms are located) and an optional open-air car. The caboose is a private charter car that cannot be accessed from the rest of the train.

DONATIONS

• The Rambler has affiliated itself with two children's charities. Due to the limited number of runs in our operating season, we cannot donate tickets to auctions or other fund-raising events.

 

 

 

~ EXPRESS TRAIN FARES~

RESERVATIONS:865-524-9411

Express Trains  
Adult: $26.50
Senior (55+): $25.50
Child (3-12) $15.50
Toddler (1-2): $7.50
Infant (under 1): free

 

 

PUMPKIN EXPRESS

RESERVATIONS:865-524-9411

Saturdays ~ October 9, 16 & 30

at 11, 2 &5

    Now you can go trick-or-treating and pick a pumpkin all while riding the Rambler! Come enjoy the autumn colors aboard Pumpkin Express on Saturday October 9, 16 and 30 at 11,2 &5. Don't forget your costume!

 

 

CHRISTMAS EXPRESS

RESERVATIONS:865-524-9411

*Schedule posted below

  Children of all ages will experience the magic of a holiday train ride through Knoxville. Passengers will be served Christmas cookies and refreshments and Santa Claus will board the train at the halfway point to visit and give our passengers a gift. During the ride, storytellers will read a holiday book, called The Christmas Lantern.

CHRISTMAS EXPRESS SCHEDULE

Fri. November 26 at 10:30, 2 &5
Sun. Nov. 28 at 10:30, 2 &5
Fri. Dec. 3 at 10:30, 2 &5
Sat. Dec 4 at 10:30, 2 &5
Sun. Dec. 6 at 1 & 4
Fri. Dec. 10 at 10:30, 2 & 5
Sat. Dec 11 at 10:30, 2 & 5
Sun. Dec. 12 at 1 &4
Fri. Dec. 17 at 10:30, 2 &5
Sat. Dec. 18 at 10:30, 2 & 5
Sun. Dec. 19 at 1 &4

 

  ~2010 SCHEDULE ~

 

~JULY~

All Saturdays at 11 &2 (Diesel)

 

~AUGUST~

August 7 at 11&2 (Diesel)- Last Summer Day!

Sat. Aug 14- Railfan Day

Tentative Schedule:

   Friday August 13:

   7-10pm: Night Photo Session

Steam Locomotive 154 & 203

   Saturday August 14th:

   7:30-12pm: Morning Photo Session

               154 & 203, photo runbys.

   12:00-2:00: Break- Lunch on your own

   2:00- 2:45: Tour-Knoxville Locomotive Works

   3:15- 7:30: Evening Photo Session-

                  Steam Locomotives 154 and

                  a vintage EMD SW-1, photo runbys

Price: $140

 

*We will not be running in September because

there is a home game every Saturday.

 

~OCTOBER~

Pumpkin Express Trains:

Sat. Oct. 9at 11,2&5

Sat. Oct. 16 at 11,2&5

Sat. Oct. 30 at 11,2&5

 

~NOVEMBER~

Christmas Express Steam Trains:

Fri. Nov. 26 at 10:30, 2&5

Sun. Nov. 28 at 10:30,2&5

 

~DECEMBER~

Christmas Express Steam Trains:

Fri. Dec. 3 at 10:30, 2&5

Sat. Dec. 4 at 10:30, 2&5

Sun. Dec. 6 at 1&4

Fri. Dec. 10 at 10:30, 2&5

Sat. Dec. 11 at 10:30, 2&5

Sun. Dec. 12 at 1&4

Fri. Dec. 17 at 10:30, 2&5

Sat. Dec. 18 at 10:30, 2&5

Sun. Dec. 19 at 1&4

 

~FARES~

Summer Season  
Adult: $22.00
Senior (55+): $20.00
Child (3-12): $13.00
Infant (under 2): $ free
Express Trains  
Adult: $26.50
Senior (55+): $25.50
Child (3-12) $15.50
Toddler (1-2): $7.50
Infant (under 1): free

 

~ABOUT THE 3RR~

RESERVATIONS:865-524-9411

 

Who owns the Three Rivers Rambler track?
      The track is owned by the Knoxville & Holston River Railroad (KXHR) who purchased it from Norfolk Southern.

     KXHR is responsible for maintaining the track and bridges and operating all the trains. The Federal Railroad Administration and Tennessee Department of Transportation inspect the track to see that it meets safety standards.

Who owns the KXHR?
      The KXHR is owned by Gulf & Ohio Railways, a Knoxville based company with shortline railroads in Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Gulf & Ohio Railways is a family owned business that has been hauling freight since 1985.

What do Shortlines do?
     America’s big railroads (like Norfolk Southern and CSX) are very good at hauling large trains at high speeds between larger cities. They prefer to have shortlines, like KXHR, handle the small trains that pick up and deliver freight for local customers. There are more than 500 small railroads like the KXHR in the U.S., most of which serve businesses in the outlying communities.

~ Three Rivers Rambler ~ PO Box 2408~ Knoxville, TN 37901 ~

Phone: (865)524-9411~ Fax: (865) 546-3717