Come Ride With Us!
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is proud to offer a wide variety of rides to suit your needs. For a quick trip, our Missionary Ridge Local takes only 55 minutes but packs all sorts of excitement from a ride through a Civil War era tunnel to a guided tour of our restoration shop. Looking for something a little longer? Try our Chickamauga Turn, a 6 hour roundtrip ride to historic Chickamauga, Ga.
For the true rail enthusiasts wishing to experience a day on the rails was like; we offer multiple Dixie Land Excursions throughout the year.
Want to ride the rails with a select group? We also offer several charter options; from renting your own Missionary Ridge Local train to school groups.
All trips are subject to availability.
Missionary Ridge Local
Our Missionary Ridge Local takes you on a 6 mile long round trip from Grand Junction Station (info, directions) to East Chattanooga Depot (info) and back.
Departing regularly from Grand Junction, the train takes you along the original right-of-way railroads used to arrive at Chattanooga. Along the way you'll get to experience one of Tennessee's oldest railroad tunnels.
Arriving at East Chattanooga Depot, you'll get to witness how a locomotive is turned around using a turntable and take a tour of our maintenance and restoration shop.
Ride Information
Typical length of the trip is 55 minutes.
Motive power is either steam or vintage diesel locomotive.
Cost
Adults: $14.00
Children (3-12): $8.00
Click here for for more information.
Chickamauga Turn
Experience a "turn" with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum as we take you to historic Chickamauga, Ga. This trip will last approximately 6 hours and includes a 1-1/2 hour stop at downtown Chickamauga.
Ride Information
Typical length of the trip is approx. 6 hours.
Motive power is vintage diesel locomotive.
Cost
Adults: $32.00
Children (3-12): $24.00
Click here for for more information.
Dixie Land Excursions
For those seeking a long and enjoyable trip aboard a vintage passenger train, we offer several Dixie Land Excursions on select weekends throughout the year.
Among the most popular of our Dixie Land trips are the Autumn Leaf Specials. We take you out on a 100 mile round trip ride from Grand Junction to Summerville, GA. During the ride, you'll get to experience the splendor of autumn foliage while riding aboard a restored passenger train of the 1950’s.
Most excursions include a sit-down lunch in a carefully restored dining car built in 1924.
Dates and lengths vary, please see our Dixie Land Excursions page or contact us for more information.
School Field Trips
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers extra-special educational rates to school groups of all ages. Of course a train ride is the highlight of the visit, but features also includes a short tour and glimpse inside the restoration shop, and demonstration of turntable operation. An age-specific railroad safety video is offered inside the depot theater as an option. Outdoor railroad exhibits are available at Grand Junction as is a large picnic grove for your enjoyment. Ask about our personal pan pizza option for lunch - It's a "turn-key" field trip! Teachers: Please call our group coordinator for more information at 423-894-8028, ext. 12.
Group Charters
Bring your group to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and ride the train! We offer several options catering to your group's requirements. Stipulations include a minimum of 20 persons per group in season and minimum 40 in off season depending on the service requested.
Trains can operate on a Missionary Ridge Local run from Grand Junction to East Chattanooga or a longer trip from Grand Junction to downtown Chattanooga. Group prices start at $260 for a group of 20 (local train, in season) and increase depending on group size and length of trip. Train charters are available at higher rates.
Please contact us for more information.
Chickamauga Charter
For an even longer chartered trip, our Chickamauga Charter rail excursion service can be provided anytime from Chattanooga to Chickamauga, Georgia, and is nicely suited for groups of 40 or more. This trip provides a leisurely five-hour trip, complete with choice of lunch or dinner in Chickamauga. Package price starts around $2,760 for an entire group of 40 (minimum group size 40 persons.) Food service options include Lee & Gordon's Mill dining hall, Gordon Lee Mansion dining hall, and even on-board dining car.
Please contact us for more information.
