CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina athletics and corporate partner Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR) have teamed up to allow WCU alumni, fans, and friends to show their Catamount Pride while riding the rails with the recent unveiling of "The Catamount", a newly repainted and renovated railcar. 

Catamount alumni and fans can see the car and take photos with it while practicing proper social distancing guidelines from Thursday, May 14 through Sunday, May 17 in Dillsboro, located on the main track in front of Innovation Brewing. Visitors are encouraged to share their photos using the hashtag #CatamountCountry and #GSMR on all social media platforms.  

The railcar, which was formerly named "The Michigan", was built in 1952 as a parlor/business car and operated on the Penn Central line and then acquired by CSX in Jacksonville, Fla. in 1999. GSMR purchased the car in late 2018 where it arrived and was quickly remodeled into a First Class Car just before the start of its POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride Season. The newly renamed and restyled Catamount Car will be included as a first-class seating offering on the railroad's Nantahala Gorge and Tuckaseegee River excursions as well as special event trains.

Currently, all GSMR passenger operations have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.  To find the latest details on the 2020 GSMR schedule and book a ride on The Catamount, visit them at GSMR.com and follow them on Facebook (fb.com/GreatSmokyMountainsRailroad) and Instagram (@GreatSmokyMtnRR). 

Keep track of everything related to WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/catamountsports), Instagram (@wcu_catamounts), and Twitter (@catamounts).
 
(Photos Courtesy of Kelly Donaldson/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce)