Saluda Train Tales is a free monthly event to educate the community about the importance of Saluda's railroad history and the Saluda Grade. These events are held at the Saluda Historic Depot, 32 W Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773.

Below is an archive of previous Saluda Train Tales. They are arranged by category for easier reference

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  • Saluda Grade Trail: The Next Chapter

    Saluda Grade Trail: The Next Chapter

    Trail Manager Summer Flynn takes us behind the scenes of one of Western North Carolina's most ambitious rails-to-trails projects — the Saluda Grade Trail. In this conversation, Summer shares the remarkable effort that has gone into bringing the trail to where it stands today, the work that still lies ahead, and how each community along the route envisions the trail as part of its future. Whether you're a hiker, cyclist, history buff, or simply passionate about the future of Western North Carolina, this is a story about vision, persistence, and the power of community. 🚂 Learn more about the Saluda Grade Trail and the Saluda Depot Museum at saludadepotmuseum.org 📍 The Saluda Grade Trail follows the historic route of the Asheville & Spartanburg Railroad through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Learn about Pearlie May Harris in her informative video https://youtu.be/MgWBLatPxzM

  • From Rails to Trails: A New Chapter for Our Communities

    From Rails to Trails: A New Chapter for Our Communities

    Jane and Ralph Mayer share experiences from hiking and biking on rails-to-trails systems locally and across the country. The program will offers insight into the potential recreational opportunities connected to the proposed Saluda Grade Trail.

  • Discover the incredible story of the Southern Railroad’s climb up the steep Saluda Grade

    Discover the incredible story of the Southern Railroad’s climb up the steep Saluda Grade

    Join Dave O’Brien, board member of the Saluda Depot Museum, as he brings to life the dramatic history of the Southern Railroad’s legendary climb up the Saluda Grade—the steepest mainline railroad grade in the United States. Discover how this engineering feat not only challenged locomotives and crews but also shaped the growth of the town of Saluda itself. This captivating story blends railroad history, local heritage, and the enduring spirit of a community built on the rails.

  • Flight Down the Saluda Grade Rails

    Flight Down the Saluda Grade Rails

    The Carburetors music and mapping from google earth offers an historical trip down what was the nation's steepest, Class-1, mainline railroad grade. It ran 3-miles from Saluda, NC to Melrose then Tryon, NC.

    Seeing this rail path leaves little to imagine about the train wrecks that plagued these rails in western N.C. from the 1880's until the grade was closed in December, 2001.

    Visit the Saluda Historic Depot at http://www.SaludaHistoricDepot.com The Carburetors music is at http://www.CarburetorsUSA.com Thanks for visiting.