Behind-the-Scenes at TVRM

Big Wheels, Bigger Work Fall 2013 marked a turning point at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM). Guests strolling through East Chattanooga may have seen sparks from the Soule Shops, but few realized they were witnessing the rebirth of Southern Railway 2-8-2 Mikado #4501. By late August, crews had slid three massive driving wheel axles…

🚂 All Aboard at Platform 4 ½! 🚂 Your Magical Adventure Awaits at Rails, Wizards & Spells Step Onto the Platform of Imagination This fall, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) opens its gates to a world of enchantment. Guests young and old are invited to step onto Platform 4 ½, where a vintage train…

Steam, Heritage & Celebration The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) is proud to keep the steam alive as our Founder’s Day Celebration continues into Sunday! This is your chance to ride behind Southern Railway steam locomotive 630, operating in her authentic “in service” livery. Complete with a red number plate and Southern Hooter whistle, 630…

Founder’s Day Rides On at TVRM: Steam, Cinnamon Rolls & Living History A Steam-Powered Celebration Founder’s Day continues today at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM), where steam locomotive 630 is fired up and powering the Missionary Ridge Local. The crisp fall air is filled with the sound of her whistle, the smell of coal…

A Complete August Guide to Train Rides at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) isn’t just a place to see trains — it’s a place to ride them. Since 1961, TVRM has preserved not only historic rail equipment but also the experience of rail travel itself. Every ticket purchased supports…

Long before dawn’s glow kissed Chattanooga’s ridges, my family boarded the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Summerville Steam Special—nine glorious hours of clanging rods, Southern fare, and small-town charm. According to TVRM, the train departs Grand Junction Depot at 9 a.m. and returns around 6 p.m., tracing the former Central of Georgia main line across the…

Welcome aboard — six ways to time-travel in a single weekend Chattanooga earned its place on the rail map in the 1850s, and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) still lets you experience that golden age at full scale. Whether you have an hour or a whole day, the rides below turn casual getaways into…

Preserving the Past with Every Pane: Grand Junction’s Window Renovation Project Tucked away in the vibrant heart of Chattanooga, the Grand Junction Depot is more than a departure point—it’s a monument to a golden age of rail travel. Now, after 42 years, the depot’s upstairs dining room has been fitted with new windows, completing a…

Ride the Legend—Steam Engine 4501 Returns to Summerville Step aboard a living piece of railroading excellence as Steam Engine 4501 powers up for its journey from Chattanooga to Summerville, Georgia, on Saturday, June 28. Built in 1911, this 114-year-old locomotive embodies the golden era of American steam travel. With powerful chuffs and vintage charm, 4501…

All Aboard! Thomas is Ready to Party in Chattanooga Chattanooga families, get ready! Thomas the Tank Engine is chugging into the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) this April for a celebration 80 years in the making. The beloved blue engine will be at TVRM for Day Out With Thomas: The Party Tour on April 5-6…