Tennessee Valley RAILFEST
NOTE: The event was held over Labor Day Weekend 2011. See information and photos HERE.
Railfest 2012 is now being planned!
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a special multi-day celebration over Labor Day weekend, Sept 3, 4 & 5, with additional activities on Sept 1 & 2.
So, what is RAILFEST? Family fun! If you like trains, family activities, old fashioned music, living history, and celebrating community events - you'll LOVE the Tennessee Valley Railfest!
In addition to train rides, attendees will be able to enjoy live musical entertainment, children's activities, festival food, and more. This will be a family-oriented event which also appeals to railroad enthusiasts. Activities include special rail excursions, entertainment, storytelling, concerts, on-site demonstrations and exhibits, food and much more.
RAILFEST FEATURES:
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Unlimited rides on an expanded schedule of Missionary Ridge Local trips throughout each day
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Unlimited rides on special hourly "Tunnel Turn" runs with visiting steam locomotive #126
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Non-stop live musical entertainment on the main stage - For the schedule click here
- JUST ADDED! Ride Norfolk Southern 21st Century Steam mainline rail excursions* (information)
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Visiting rail equipment on display including diesel locomotives - For an attractions list click here
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Large model train exhibit featuring layouts in N, HO, O (Lionel), and G scales - plus Legos!
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Hobo camp storytelling twice each day
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Civil War reenactors with garrison demonstrations four times each day
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An opportunity to meet one of the most influential and celebrated modern railroad executives of today, Wick Moorman of Norfolk Southern, at a special banquet on Sept 1* (information) (order tickets)
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Take night photos of specially posed and lighted locomotives on Sept 2* (order tickets)
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"Fifty Years of Steam in the Valley" photography exhibit by John W. Coniglio (website)
- 50 Years of TVRM ~ As seen in Smoke & Cinders (TVRM newsletter) "mini-exhibit"
- Power an authentic. old time pump car down the tracks
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"King of Newgrass" Sam Bush concert on Saturday evening* (website) (order tickets) outdoor concert: bring blankets and lawn chairs
- Eat in a 1924 Dining Car built for Southern Railway in 1924*
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OUTDOOR MOVIE CANCELLED DUE TO POTENTIAL INCLEMENT WEATHER - Outdoor railroad-themed movie on Sunday evening
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"Georgia Diesel Special" excursion to Chickamauga on Monday (Chickamauga Turn)* (order tickets)
- World's Largest Moon Pie "Birthday Cake" on Saturday at 7pm
- Railfest Whistle & Horn Salute on Monday around 11am
- Meet railroad artists Andy Fletcher (information) and Jim Jordan (information)
- Speak with representatives from Norfolk Southern and Operation Lifesaver
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Facepainting by Fabulous Face Art* (website)
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Balloon artistry by Mike Edwards*
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Strolling magic by Jaden Maxwell
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Coloring pages and craft projects for children
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and More!
*slight additional charge
On Railfest days at TVRM there will be festival gate admission which will include unlimited train rides on Missionary Ridge Local trains running on an expanded schedule and special shorter "Tunnel Turn" trips led by a visiting steam locomotive. (Missionary Ridge Local tickets will not be sold individually.)
Admission to Railfest includes all daytime entertainment events, and unlimited rides on our Missionary Ridge Local trains including shop tour, and special "Tunnel Turn" trains to Missionary Ridge Tunnel and back. Note that if purchasing the Georgia Diesel Special excursion, your Railfest entry ticket is included (best value!)
Optional tickets will be available for the banquet, outdoor evening concert by Sam Bush, night photography session, and all off-site excursion trains. A kick off banquet on Thursday evening will feature Norfolk Southern Chairman, President, and CEO Wick Moorman as the speaker.
Ticket Options
- Single Day Admission for Sept 3, 4* or 5 — This is admission to Railfest for a single day only *includes Sunday night movie.
- Family Value Pack for Sept 3, 4 & 5 — 4 tickets can be used for adults or children admission for a single day only
- SOLD OUT! Three Day Admission — This is admission to Railfest for all three days for one person - September 3, 4 & 5
- SOLD OUT! RailFan Pack — This pack includes a 3-day admission pass, 50th Anniversary Banquet with Wick Moorman on Thursday evening September 1, the movie on Sept 4, and night photo shoot on Sept 2.
- SOLD OUT! 50th Anniversary Banquet — A banquet with Wick Moorman from Norfolk Southern Corp., to be held Sept 1
- SOLD OUT! Night Photo Session - Held on the evening of Sept 2, attendees will be able to photograph locomotives which have been posed and specially lighted for a spectacular effect (held at East Chattanooga, $25 tickets, limited to 100 participants)
- Headline Concert — Featuring Sam Bush (additional charge of only $10, not included in general admission, Family Pack or Railfan Pack), on Sept 3 - bring your blanket or lawn chair
- 21st Century Steam excursions on Sept 3 or Sept 4 (Railfest admission included with excursion ticket - GREAT VALUE!)
- Georgia Diesel Special trip on Sept 5 (Railfest admission included with excursion ticket - GOOD VALUE!)
Admission to Railfest includes all on-site daytime events, and unlimited rides on our museum trains: Missionary Ridge Local and Tunnel Turn runs. Railfest admission is included with the Georgia Diesel Special excursion on Monday as well.
(2 & under are free)
Lodging
Special lodging packages are available through our Official 50th Anniversary Celebration partner, The Chattanooga Choo Choo, 423-266-5000 or 1-800-TRACK29
Transportation
Transportation provided by our Official Railfest partner,
Gray Line of Tennessee, 615-883-5555.
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