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Abigail Blythe Batton/Staff Correspondent Judy and Jack Roberson ride along with Andrews Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nola Cooper in anticipation of the grand opening of their Andrews Valley Rail Tours at 10 a.m. Saturday from the depot platform.
Andrews – The “small town with a big heart” is fast becoming the little darling of Cherokee County.
On Saturday, the mountain town will host their annual Oktoberfest, which brings in visitors from across the tri-state area to enjoy the craft vendors, the entertainment and the spirited drinks. But this year is special.
Nola Cooper, executive director of the Andrews Chamber of Commerce, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of Andrews Valley Rail Tours during Oktoberfest.
“I’ve done some research,” Cooper said, “and I believe we will have the only bike rail venue in the State of North Carolina.”
The Andrews Valley Rail Tours had an unlikely beginning. Judy and Jack Roberson retired and moved to a pretty home in Arkansas. Roberson worked for 47 years as general manager over the Central Railroad of Peru in South America.
“I worked all those years with the railroad,” Jack said, “and we thought we were going to retire.”
He said they weren’t settled in for a full two weeks before he knew it wouldn’t work for them.
“It was a beautiful home,” Jack said with a laugh, “but I’m not a sitter. My dad’s 88 and still rides a horse, so it’s hard for me to sit still.”
He and Judy discussed their options, and decided to open a business that ran passenger rail carts along unused track. They started their post-career career in Blue Ridge, Ga., successfully running their carts and rail bikes for nearly seven years.
It was during their time there that they wandered over to Andrews and fell in love with the town.
“It is so quaint here,” Judy said. “When we saw the beauty out there; it’s just so unique.”
Jack had his eye on the Smokey Mountain Railroad with all its outdoor splendor.
“The track [we lease] has seven bridges, spectacular views and 1,000-foot tunnel,” he said.
Despite their love for the outdoors and the railroads, one of the driving forces in opening their company was their love for each other.
“This way,” Jack explained, “we can work together.”
However, the pair doesn’t consider running a commercial 20-mile rail tour work.
“We have lots of fun,” Judy said. “We get be outdoors and meet so many fun people.”
The route itself will start from the Andrews’ train depot and ride out through the Valley River Tunnel, where the train will stop for 30 minutes, allowing their guests to disembark and enjoy the vistas, bridges and perhaps a picnic lunch. Cooper has big plans for Andrews’ downtown eateries to get involved.
“They could sell boxed lunches to the passengers to eat at the tunnel,” she said.
The tunnel, hand carved in 1894, is the showpiece for the tour. Eventually, the couple hopes to add a waterfall into the tour. Their rail bikes will be ready by spring.
For now, they will operate a rail cart that seats 32, in addition to four seats on the rail pulling machine, where children ages 4 and older might like to sit. The cart pokes along the rails at a safe 8 mph, where it will cross the Valley River several times, allowing passengers to enjoy the sites and take scenic photos.
Judy rides along for safety purposes, but added that she “is very happy to take photos for people wanting their entire group in the picture.”
It’s inaugural trip pulls out of the depot at 10 a.m. Saturday. Andrews Valley River Tours will run two trains a day, with the second leaving the station at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $39.99 and can be purchased at their website.
As is customary for train travel, they will also sell tickets at the depot. Due to safety concerns, children ages 3 and younger are not permitted on the train.
Cooper said she has been hearing whispers about Andrews’ new feature.
“I’ve heard some gossiping about it; we can’t wait,” she said. “The community is ready for something new.”
A cleanup day was held Tuesday. For details, visit andrewsvalleyrailtours.com or call 557-4021.