Nantahala Trains and rails run deep through Paul Disporto Jr.’s blood as the grandson of railroad workers in Bellville, N.J. However, the Christmas gift of a train whistle started his journey, which eventually lead to Disporto becoming manager of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad museum in Bryson City.
“My maternal grandparents would just get in the
car and travel and they would always bring me trinkets from their travels,” he said. “They brought me souvenirs from the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and the train whistle from Bryson City as a Christmas gift. Things like that meant so much to a little boy in New Jersey.”
 |
Growing up in Bellville, N.J. – a hub for northern railroads, including the Jersey Central – Disporto didn’t think much of seeing the South. Then these reminders and trinkets came back into his life in 2021.
Loss leads to gain
“I was in the area after losing my job at the Museum of Natural History in New York City due to COVID-19 shutdowns, and I was staying at the casino, and I happened to see something about Bryson City and didn’t realize I was so close to there,” he said.
“I looked it up online and immediately the train whistle popped into my mind. I went to check out Bryson City that same day as a job fair was happening, and I found a job at Wildwater Rafting and decided to stay here.”
That chance encounter for employment led to Disporto managing operations for Wildwater’s Jeep tours and his broadening love for the area’s scenery and natural beauty.
“Growing up in New Jersey, I could look directly out at the New York City skyline,” he said. “I tell people that living here now
I get to look at God’s skyline.”
Disporto’s eyes mist over when recalling his special relationship with his father and grandfathers, and the link to the railcars they collected and shared with him.
“Here at the museum in Bryson City, we have these Jersey Central cars,” he said. “It just means so much because my father’s father passed away when I was only 2 weeks old, so I never got to know him, but I know he loved trains and my father passed along that love to me through collecting and setting up the trains to run in our basement every Christmas. So it’s special that now every day I get to walk around here and be in the midst of these cars.”
Coming full circle
Disporto enjoyed his time with Wildwater and working with the team he helped build for the tours and by partnering with the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad on excursions. However, he wanted to find something less seasonal and more permanent to allow him to stay in the area he’s grown to adore so much.
“I interviewed for the museum manager position one day and was offered it the next, so yeah, I’m pretty glad to be able to stay in western North Carolina,” he said. “The city will always hold a place in my heart, but I know I belong here and that I was called by that train whistle to be here. So, I guess I’ve come full circle, after all.”
That circle has become fully filled near to bursting with Disporto’s enthusiasm and excitement for his new role as manager of the Railroad’s museum and retail shop.
Like a proverbial child delighted on Christmas morning with bright eyes and plenty of gratitude, he walks through the rooms of railroad car displays and the massive train diorama with pure glee and a spring to his step as he gestures sweepingly toward the operating trains.
“Just walking around this place, being in this place is so special to me, in my heart because my grandfather worked for Jersey Central Railroad in Bellville,” Disporto said.
“To think of how he worked on those trains, and here I am with all the models, just thrills me. I know he’s smiling at me upstairs in heaven, and this just all makes perfect sense for me to be here.”
Hidden gems
Disporto’s infectious enthusiasm permeates the rooms as he leads tours with fervor, making the kid in everyone delight at the running models, from switching on the miniature stadium lights to the making the silky tornado spin as the train passes by just in the nick of time. His love for the area is also evident, as he also can direct tourists – and even local residents – to find hidden gems all around the region.
“It’s been a trial by fire, or pajama, of sorts, since I just started as our Polar Express season was beginning, so I hit the ground running the rails. It’s been great because this whole town is like a winter wonderland,” Disporto said. “I’m so happy to get to be a part of it all and enjoy Christmas like a kid again.
“Being here for these three years has given me such a different perspective on life and how we make decisions and how we wind up where we’re supposed to be. I’m so happy to be able to share my knowledge with everyone who visits because this is the perfect place to live and be, and I want to make everyone understand that and how fortunate we are to be here,” he added.
“It’s like I walk out of here every day and it’s amazing, just amazing, that I get to be here.”
Details: gsmr.com/smoky-mountain-trains-museum.
Do you know someone who has an is interesting story? Let the Cherokee Scout tell it to the community. Please email the person’s name, phone number and brief information to editor@cherokeescout.com. Special people deserve a few minutes in the spotlight.