Changes for the train ride at Dollywood ahead of opening

(DOLLYWOOD, Tenn.) SMOKIES.LIVE – Dollywood has converted Cinderella to an oil-fired train ahead of opening for the 2026 season.

Dollywood said even with converting engine 70 from coal to oil won’t impact the guest experience. Except, you won’t have to worry about a cinder in your eye.

“In the past when we have drought conditions, high winds, red flag warnings, we’re unable to operate the Dollywood Express. Since 2016, we’ve looked to make sure our locomotives could operating during those times in a safe manor,” said Wes Ramey, Dollywood Spokesperson.

Cinderella has been converted to oil, they are still steam powered, with Klondike Katie being converted now. Dollywood said guests riding the trains won’t notice a difference in operations.

At previous points in the trains lives they were already oil fired and converted to coal before they found a home at Dollywood.

Some of the history behind the trains is quite impressive.

Dollywood said Klondike Katie came to Pigeon Forge in 1961 and took Smokies visitors at the Rebel Railroad on a five-mile journey through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Klondike Katie was built in 1943 and Cinderella, 1938, making the trains 80+ years old. Both trains are Baldwin Locomotives and went into service for World War II to transport troops and lumber on missions in Alaska before they were purchased from the Army.