Historic Preservation

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…

Tonight, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum joins with institutions across the nation in honoring the birth of a revolution that shaped the world. As part of the “Two Lights for Tomorrow” initiative—an early commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary—TVRM is proud to display two lights in the upstairs window of the Grand Junction Depot, echoing the…

Each whistle of a train at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) echoes more than just the sound of motion—it carries tradition, joy, and community. As Best of the Best nominations open once again, we invite you to help keep this Chattanooga treasure on track by nominating TVRM. Your support means the world to our…

Celebrating a Century of Service: The Legacy of the Pullman Sleeping Car “MAITLAND” Today, April 2, 2025, marks the 100th anniversary of the Pullman Sleeping Car MAITLAND entering service. This milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on the rich history of this remarkable railcar and its enduring significance in American rail travel. A Glimpse into…

🚂 All Aboard for a Spring Adventure! 🌸 The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) invites you to embark on a timeless journey this weekend! Rain or shine, the beloved #630 steam locomotive is set to run on the historic Missionary Ridge Local, giving visitors a chance to step back in time and enjoy the sights,…