RIDING THE RAILS OF HISTORY: TVRM’S RAIL CAMP SUMMER SESSIONS

This year, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) was honored to host 53 enthusiastic campers during our annual Rail Camp summer program. Spanning five incredible weeks, these young rail enthusiasts had the opportunity to dive deep into the captivating world of railroad operations.

Our Rail Camp provided an immersive experience for the campers, enabling them to understand the intricacies of museum and railroad operations. This comprehensive program covered important aspects including safety procedures, photography techniques, and preservation methods used to keep our historic collection rolling.

The participants had the unique experience of enjoying train rides, embarking on steam and diesel cab rides, and participating in guided shop tours with our steam department personnel. The program also provided a platform for campers to try their hands at blacksmithing, offering a taste of this traditional railroad craft.

To enrich the understanding of rail history, the campers visited and explored various regional historic railroad sites. These sites, which ranged from the Civil War era to the present, provided insights into the evolution of railroads and their enduring relevance in our society.

TVRM’s two overnight sessions offered campers premier accommodations in the historic Pullman sleeping car, CLOVER COLONY. The experience was amplified with various evening opportunities, from railfanning and site visits to twilight train rides on TVRM’s “Ridge Runner,” featuring the iconic 4501.

We are immensely proud of each of our Rail Camp participants for their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Their participation contributes significantly to preserving the historical legacy of railroads.

Interested in joining us for our future Rail Camp sessions? Visit our website: Railroad Summer Camp to learn about the application process and more.

The museum is located at 4119 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Dates for the upcoming 2024 Summer session will be announced soon (Eastern time).

Join the conversation by using the hashtags #tennesseevalleyrailroadmuseum, #tennesseevalleyrailroad, #preservinghistory, #HistoricExperience, and #tvrmrailcamp on your social media posts.

Engage with us, dive into the exciting world of railroads, and help preserve this significant part of history!