JOHNSON CITY — East Tennessee State University’s George L. Carter Railroad Museum and the George L. Carter Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will host a train excursion on The Star of Knoxville paddle wheeler along the Tennessee River and then to the Secret City Scenic Excursion Train near Oak Ridge on Saturday, June 18. The trip includes a visit to the Southern Appalachian Railway Museum. Ticket requests must be made by June 10.

A fee of $95 for adults and $80 for children over the age of 2 includes the bus ride from Johnson City to all the excursion venues and back; a lunch buffet cruise on The Star of Knoxville; the train ride; and admission to the Southern Appalachian Railway Museum.

The train departs from the Heritage Center near Oak Ridge. Each round trip covers approximately 14 miles and lasts about one hour. The trains are pulled by 1950s vintage Alco diesel locomotives. The air-conditioned coaches and dining car are all restored from 1940s era passenger railroading.

On the day of the excursion, passengers should arrive at ETSU’s parking lot 22a on Go Bucs Trail by 9:30 a.m. for check-in and loading. Riders may take a small carry-on cooler, if it will fit under the seat.

The estimated arrival time in Knoxville is 11:30 a.m. for the riverboat departure at noon. Buses will leave at 1:30 p.m. for the Secret City Train ride and board the train for the 3 p.m. ride. At 5 p.m., buses will leave for the return to ETSU, arriving around 7 p.m.

Ticket order forms and liability waivers can be picked up at the Carter Railroad Museum on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or printed off by visiting www.etsu.edu/railroad/.

Checks or money orders should be made payable to George L. Carter Chapter, NRHS, and mailed, along with the ticket request and liability waiver forms, to George L. Carter Chapter, NRHS, 519 Headtown Road, Jonesborough, TN 37659

For further information, contact Charlene McLeod at 386-717-2925 or chardanmcleod35@comcast.net.