About Us

About the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

Chattanooga’s story is inseparable from the railroad. The city welcomed its first rail line in 1850 with the arrival of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, followed just eight years later by the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad. These early connections quickly transformed Chattanooga into a vital transportation hub, fueling industry, commerce, and growth throughout the region.

During the Civil War, both Confederate and Union leaders recognized Chattanooga’s strategic importance because of its railroads. In the decades that followed, the city’s rail legacy became part of American culture—most famously immortalized in the song “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”

By the mid-20th century, however, railroads faced a dramatic decline. The rise of interstate highways, commercial aviation, and automobile travel reshaped how Americans moved and shipped goods. Passenger rail service largely disappeared by the 1960s, and much of the nation’s historic railroad equipment was scrapped or forgotten.

Determined to preserve this important chapter of American history, a small group of Chattanooga-area rail enthusiasts began acquiring historic locomotives and passenger cars that might otherwise have been lost. Their efforts led to the founding of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in 1961, with a mission to preserve, restore, and operate authentic railway equipment from the Golden Age of Railroading.

Railroads such as Southern Railway supported these efforts through generous donations of historic equipment. Southern Railway also donated the original East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia roadbed—later absorbed into the Southern Railway System—providing TVRM with a rare opportunity to operate trains on an authentic historic route.

Today, TVRM’s passenger trains run along this historic line, including passage through the Missionary Ridge Tunnel, completed in 1858 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tunnel’s unique dimensions are the reason TVRM continues to operate on this preserved three-mile section of track, offering guests an experience no modern railroad can replicate.

More than a museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum preserves an experience—one that brings history to life through working trains, restored railcars, and immersive journeys into the past. Through these experiences, TVRM educates and inspires visitors of all ages while honoring the railroad’s essential role in shaping the modern world.

Why Guests Love TVRM

• Authentic, Working History
  Ride and explore beautifully restored trains operating on a genuine 19th-century rail line—including the historic Missionary Ridge Tunnel.
• Experiences for All Ages
  From scenic excursions and special event trains to dining experiences and hands-on exhibits, TVRM offers something memorable for families, history lovers, and rail fans alike.
• A One-of-a-Kind Chattanooga Attraction
  Nowhere else can you step aboard operating vintage trains, experience live railroading, and connect so directly with the region’s rich transportation heritage.