For the 2026 season Dollywood is making a change to one of its oldest and most popular rides, the Dollywood Express steam trains. Both of Dollywood’s engines are being converted to run on oil instead of coal. This is for the comfort and safety of patrons, but also eliminates the risk of an errant cinder causing a fire in dry seasons. Dollywood has two engines, No. 192, named Klondike Katie, and No. 70, known as Cinderella (which ironically will no longer have cinders). Both these World War II engines actually previously ran on oil, but were converted to coal before being acquired by Dollywood. So the renovation will return the locomotives to closer to how they were historically without impacting the experience for riders.

If you’ve ridden the train you’re familiar with the “a cinder in the eye is not an emergency” conductor safety briefing. You may also have walked away covered by some small pieces of ash. These same cinders were also a potential danger to the nearby trees and landscaping. In fact the trains were unable to run on especially hot, dry or windy days. Although the coal did add some character to the experience with the smell and smoke, but there were sincere comfort and safety issues.

The two train engines have quite the backstory which Dolly Parton has spoken about on here website. The trains were originally purchased by the Army and were used in Alaska during World War II transporting troops and lumber. Katie was already part of a much smaller version of what would become Dollywood when it was acquired by the Herschend family in 1977 and Cinderella was bought the same year. These two engines are actually quite different from each other with Klondike Katie built for speed, while Cinderella had more power and torque to pull heavier loads. The engines actually sound quite different in operation, especially pulling out of the station.

The Dollywood Express is an iconic part of a visit to Dollywood. The trains provide excellent views of the park’s coasters you can’t get elsewhere such as Big Bear Mountain. It’s also been a great way to monitor construction on NightFlight recently. Additionally, the trains are great around the holidays with light displays only visible from the train. This change will largely go unnoticed by most and hopefully means the trains will run more reliably and more comfortably for guests.