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FORKS, ART & RAILS — WHY TVRM’S LUNCH TRAIN IS CHATTANOOGA’S NEW MUST-DO

Grand Junction Depot has always been the heartbeat of Chattanooga’s rail revival, but now the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) is adding a fresh pulse: the Lunch Train. This two-hour-and-forty-five-minute excursion pairs a chef-curated, three-course meal with a relaxing roll through the city’s urban art corridor to the 33-acre Sculpture Fields at Montague Park. It’s sightseeing, fine dining, and living rail heritage in one moving package.

What to Expect on Board

  • Vintage Dining Cars. Sit at tables dressed in crisp linens beneath brass sconces salvaged from 1940s Pullman stock.

  • Three-Course Menu. Entrée choices include short-rib sliders with Wisconsin cheddar, lump crab cakes crowned in hollandaise, bacon-wrapped chicken over risotto cakes, or baked pesto gnocchi for vegetarians. All finish with hazelnut crème brûlée, vanilla cheesecake, or apple-cinnamon bread pudding.

Reader Q&A

  1. How far in advance should I reserve?

    Weekend seats sell out 7–10 days ahead; holiday weeks even faster. Book at tvrail.com or call (423) 894-8028.

  2. Is the Lunch Train kid-friendly?

    Yes, restrooms are onboard.

  3. What should I wear?

    Smart-casual is perfect—think polo or sundress, not tux. Cars are climate-controlled but boarding platforms are open-air.

Quick Logistics

  • Departure: 11:30 a.m. from Grand Junction Depot, 4119 Cromwell Rd., Chattanooga

  • Duration: ~2 hr 45 min (arrive 30 min early for check-in)

  • Accessibility: Ramps available.

The Lunch Train in Context

When TVRM opened in 1961 its founders promised “moving museums, not static displays.” The Lunch Train continues that mission, letting guests taste modern cuisine while hearing the soft clatter that defined American travel for nearly a century. It’s a table-to-track experience no downtown restaurant can duplicate.

Further Reading

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