Visitors riding the Dollywood Express in 2026 may notice something missing — the occasional cinder drifting through the air — but otherwise, the experience will feel just as timeless as ever.

Ahead of the new season, Dollywood has completed a significant behind-the-scenes upgrade to the park’s beloved steam train, converting its historic locomotives from coal-fired to oil-fired operation. The change is designed to improve reliability and safety while preserving the authentic steam-powered experience that has defined the attraction for decades.

For guests, park officials say the ride experience will remain essentially unchanged — except for one improvement: no stray cinders while riding.

A Change Driven by Safety

The conversion comes after years of evaluating ways to ensure the Dollywood Express can operate safely during challenging environmental conditions.

During periods of drought or high winds, the coal-fired locomotives sometimes had to remain idle because of wildfire concerns. Those risks became especially clear following the devastating Smoky Mountain wildfires of 2016, which prompted the park to look for long-term solutions that would allow the train to run more consistently and responsibly.

Switching to oil-fired boilers significantly reduces the risk of sparks and embers escaping from the locomotives, making it easier for Dollywood to operate the attraction even when environmental conditions are less than ideal.

Despite the technical upgrade, the locomotives will remain fully steam powered, preserving the historic character that guests expect from one of Dollywood’s most iconic attractions.

Historic Engines with a Remarkable Past

The Dollywood Express is powered by two authentic Baldwin steam locomotives — Klondike Katie and Cinderella — built in 1943 and 1939 by the Baldwin Manufacturing Company near Philadelphia.

Originally constructed for the U.S. Army, the engines hauled troops and lumber through Alaska during World War II before eventually finding a second life in the Smoky Mountains.

Each locomotive weighs about 110 tons and pulls up to seven passenger cars carrying approximately 550 riders. Operating the train requires roughly 4,000 gallons of water per day — a reminder of the immense scale and power behind the nostalgic experience.

Interestingly, the conversion to oil firing is also something of a return to form. Both locomotives operated as oil-fired engines at various points in their history before being converted to coal prior to arriving at Dollywood. The 2026 upgrade effectively restores the engines to an earlier configuration.

One of Dollywood’s Most Timeless Experiences

The Dollywood Express traces its roots back to June 1, 1961, when the attraction debuted as part of the Rebel Railroad attraction that originally occupied the site. It has operated as the Dollywood Express since the park opened under Dolly Parton’s name in 1986.

Today, the train offers a 20-minute, five-mile journey through the park, passing areas including Owens Farm, Craftsman’s Valley, Timber Canyon, Rivertown Junction and Jukebox Junction. 

The ride remains one of Dolly Parton’s personal favorites and has carried countless celebrities and families over the years.

During Smoky Mountain Christmas — a festival the train has been part of since 1992 — the Dollywood Express becomes an especially magical experience, giving riders a unique view of the park’s millions of holiday lights.

Tradition Meets Practicality

In a park known for blending storytelling and tradition with modern innovation, the Dollywood Express conversion represents a careful balance between preservation and progress.

The sight, sound and feel of a working steam locomotive will remain unchanged. But behind the scenes, the oil-fired upgrade ensures the train can continue operating more reliably — even during challenging weather conditions.

For guests, the result is simple: the same nostalgic journey through the Smokies, now with no soot and a little more certainty that the whistle will keep blowing for years to come.

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