Our Mission
The mission of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) is to collect for preservation, operation, interpretation, and display railroad artifacts in an authentic setting to educate the public concerning the role of railroads in the history and development of our region.
About the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
Chattanooga welcomed its first rail line with the arrival of the Western and Atlantic Railroad in 1850. A few years later, in 1858, the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railroad also arrived in Chattanooga. The city quickly became a railroad hub with industries springing up in the area to take advantage of the new transportation corridors.
During the Civil War, confederate and union leaders recognized Chattanooga’s strategic advantage because of its railroads, and in subsequent decades, the city’s railroad reputation gave rise to the iconic song “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”
By the late 1950s, railroads were waning as interstates and airlines made travel faster and more personal. With automobiles, Americans could choose their own schedule and stop as little or much as they wished. Passenger operations all but ended in the 1960s, and freight operations suffered as big trucks hauled much of the freight across the country.
During this period, railroad museums formed to save some of the histories of this most iconic mode of American transportation.
In Chattanooga, as steam made its last appearances on the country’s major railroads, a few railroad fans began buying steam engines and passenger cars that the railroads would otherwise have scrapped. This small collection was the beginning of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, which was founded in 1961 by a small group of local residents who were intent on trying to save some American history by preserving, restoring, and operating authentic railway equipment from the “Golden Age of Railroading.”
Railroads like the Southern Railway also made generous donations of obsolete rail cars to museums like TVRM, expanding their collections and the story the museum could tell. In addition, Southern Railway donated the original East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia roadbed (absorbed into the Southern Railway System in 1894) on which TVRM could operate.
TVRM’s passenger trains run on the historic route, which includes Missionary Ridge Tunnel, completed in 1858 and on the National Register of Historic Places. The tunnel is the primary reason TVRM runs on the 3-mile section of the former Southern Railway. As railroad equipment grew too large to pass through and the single-track tunnel became a traffic jam for an otherwise double-track railroad, Southern Railway abandoned the 3-mile portion of the line and built a new section around the end of Missionary Ridge, avoiding the tunnel altogether.
Today, TVRM preserves railroad equipment not only to preserve machines but to preserve an experience as well. In providing this historical experience, TVRM hopes to educate our visitors about the importance of this industry and how it helped create the modern world in which we live.
A JOURNEY THROUGH THE TENNESSEE VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM'S HISTORY
Locomotive Restoration Updates
Reviving History: Locomotive Restorations at TVRMFollow our dedicated team as they breathe new life into historic locomotives, ensuring their stories are preserved for future generations.
Upcoming Events at TVRM
TVRM Events: Seasonal Rides & Celebrations AheadStay updated with our exciting calendar of events – from seasonal train rides to special celebrations, there’s always something happening at TVRM.
Railroad History and Heritage
Tracing Railroads: From Origins to Modern ImpactDive into the rich history of the railroad industry and the essential role it played in shaping our nation, from early development to modern times.
Historic Preservation
TVRM: Reviving Railroad Legacy for Future GenerationsExplore living history at TVRM: restored locomotives and railcars narrate the story of rail’s impact, keeping the past alive for future generations.
Featured Exhibits
Discover TVRM's Exhibits: A Journey Through Rail HistoryExplore the fascinating exhibits at TVRM, each one offering unique insights into different aspects of railway technology, history, and culture.
Behind-the-Scenes at TVRM
Inside TVRM: Unveiling Railroading's Hidden WorldExplore railroading at TVRM with exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Discover updates, staff insights, and the preservation of railway history.
LATEST NEWS & UPDATES
Unique Dining Experience: Dinner Train & Depot Feast – Tennessee
Have you ever imagined dining in an environment steeped in tradition and charm? The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers just that with its unique Dinner Train and the special Dinner in the Depot events. What can guests expect from the Dinner Train’s special menu? From March 15th to 17th, the Dinner Train, departing from Grand…
March 11, 2024
Ava Grace’s Model Train Project Celebrating Chattanooga’s Rail History
Celebrating Young Talent and Rail History: Ava Grace’s Model Train Project In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we’re thrilled to spotlight an extraordinary young talent, Ava Grace, a 15-year-old student with a passion for rail history. Her model train project, inspired by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, brilliantly encapsulates the evolution of trains in…
March 8, 2024
Vintage Diesel Experience: A Unique Journey at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
Vintage Diesel Experience: A Unique Journey at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, a gem in Chattanooga, TN, is known for its remarkable preservation of railroad history. While the much-anticipated steam opening has been postponed to the following weekend, there’s still an exciting opportunity to explore the rich legacy of railroading…
March 8, 2024