Dollywood Express Closed for Maintenance Until August 7

Dollywood, Dolly Parton's theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, operates seasonally from mid‑March through early January, with a winter shutdown from January to mid‑March for maintenance. The park’s historic steam‑train attraction, the Dollywood Express, was announced on August 3 to be closed immediately for further maintenance work. The park expects the ride to resume service on Friday, August 7. The Express, originally the Rebel Railroad, was converted from coal to oil earlier this year to reduce emissions and simplify upkeep, but continues to experience recurring mechanical issues.

The closure comes as Dollywood wraps up its Summer Celebration and prepares for the upcoming Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights in September, followed by the Smoky Mountain Christmas season later in the year.