Local Officials Travel To N.C. Town To Evaluate Railroad Operation

BERLIN – Local officials remain excited about the prospect of an excursion train in Worcester County following a visit to the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in North Carolina.

Representatives from Berlin, Snow Hill and Worcester County spent two days in Bryson City, N.C. last week visiting the town and the excursion railroad that reportedly transformed it. The trip, which was funded by Rail Events Incorporated (the company that runs the Polar Express franchise at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad), left the Eastern Shore residents eager to see the operation set up in Worcester County.

“The visit to Bryson City and the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad was a huge learning experience,” said Merry Mears, Worcester County’s economic development director. “There was much to take in about the business model, passenger experience and the overall impact such an operation can have in an area.”

Mears joined a trio from Snow Hill — Councilman Mike Pruitt, Mayor Charlie Dorman and Economic Development Consultant Michael Day — as well as Town of Berlin staff members Ivy Wells and Laura Allen for the trip to North Carolina.

Day said what surprised him was the sheer number of people the train attracted.

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