This takes place in 1947 during the heyday of the ET&WNC.

10/5/47

One evening a little narrow gauge 4-6-0 was waiting at the station in Johnson city, TN. He had the same shape as the other ten wheelers on the railroad, but he had a Diamond stack and a silver painted smokebox. On the front of said smokebox, he had his headlight in the center of his face and on top he had a mars light. He was numbered 13 right after the well known Tweetsie engine of today. the passengers boarded, the conductor waved his lantern, and the engineer said, "Let's ride, No.13."
"Right then, We'll be on our way." No.13 replied blowing his low toned, steam boat whistle. And off they went into the night.

All seemed well until they reached Boone, NC station. No.13 couldn't stop. His brakes were worn out The engineer tried to stop him but it was too late. The train whooshed past the station and disappeared the passengers on the station platform grumbled in anger. "No how do we get home?"

Meanwhile No.13 realized he was accelerating uncontrollably. His throttle lever had issues as well. 13, What are you doing?! "I can't stop! What should we do?! HELP! HELP!" called 13. Just then they saw the unfinished bridge that was being worked on. 13 blew his whistle pleading for help. the train careened through the barrier, the engineer and fireman jump clear leaving the engine and train to fall off the cliff and crash violently.

When the crew inspected the damage No.13 was completely demolished and unconscious.

Every year on October 5th, the ghost of ET&WNC No.13 can still be seen trying to get home but can never find its way out of the 3 mile loop known now as, Tweetsie Railroad.