Ridin' the Sky

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Is there a web site for The Skyland Special called "Ridin' the Sky" that runs from Asheville to Old Fort? Is it operated by Southern Railway System? Thanking you in advance for any information available.

-- Pat Williamson (PatWmson@webtv.net), July 07, 2001

Answers

I don't know about a web site with a title such as you suggest... I haven't been able to find one.

The Skyland Special was once a Southern Railway train that operated between Asheville and Jacksonville FL. In the later days of private passenger train service, the Southern cut back its former Asheville Special (Washington to Asheville) to a Salisbury to Asheville train. I can't give you exact dates without checking a timetable, but I believe that shortly after Amtrak was formed, the Southern cut the remnant of the Asheville Special back to a triweekly or weekend only tourist train running a roundtrip out of Asheville, probably to Old Fort. This train was named the Skyland Special and I remember that there was a promotional brochure labeled "Ridin' the Sky." I don't think the train has operated in the last twenty years or more.

-- Tom Warne (twar@chevron.com), September 12, 2001.


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