Historic Preservation

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…

Steam, Community & Celebration: Founder’s Day Weekend Returns! The heartbeat of Southeastern railroading is ready to roar again as Founder’s Day Weekend returns to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM)! From Friday through Sunday, families, photographers, and history buffs alike can step aboard a living piece of American heritage. At the center of it all?…

An August Evening of Flavor, Fun & Railroading at TVRM On Saturday, August 16, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum invites you to an evening that combines entertainment with preservation. Whether you choose gourmet dining, sunset cocktails, or ice cream with the family, each Special August Ride gives you a ticket into railroading’s living history. Dinner…

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…

A Mother’s Day to Remember: Dining, Rail Travel, and Family Fun at TVRM Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the amazing moms in your life? This Mother’s Day Weekend, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) invites you to step aboard a collection of rail experiences designed to delight, relax, and inspire. With options ranging…

A Century on the Rails: The Enduring Journey of Dining Car 3164 Some railcars serve a decade and disappear. Others, like Southern Railway Dining Car 3164, span generations. Built in 1924 by the Pullman Company, Car 3164 embodies the craftsmanship and resilience of early 20th-century rail travel. For over a century, it has rolled through…

Dining in Elegance: The Journey of Southern Railway’s ‘Travelers Fare’ Dining Car Step aboard the past and experience a masterpiece of moving history—Southern Railway Dining Car No. 3158, affectionately named “Travelers Fare.” Built by the Pullman Company in 1924, this heavyweight dining car once graced the rails of premier Southern Railway passenger trains, and now…

Steam in Motion: Southern Railway 630 Lives On Few experiences stir the soul quite like the thunderous exhale of a steam locomotive coming to life. At the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM), Southern Railway steam engine No. 630 isn’t just a display—it’s a roaring, rolling monument to the age of steam. On any given weekend,…

Remembering Rick Burchett: A True Champion of Railroad Preservation The railroad community has lost a remarkable figure. We are saddened to share the passing of Rick Burchett—an extraordinary advocate for preserving our railroading legacy. Rick’s passion, deep knowledge, and warm humor touched the lives of all who had the honor of working with him. More…

Dining Car 3164: From Luxury to Legacy The Birth of Dining Car 3164 Dining Car 3164 rolled off the assembly line on April 24, 1925, built by the Pullman Car & Manufacturing Corporation for Southern Railway. It was a marvel of modern engineering and opulence—designed during a golden age when rail travel reigned supreme in…