Railroad History and Heritage

Few can boast the timeless allure and charm of a steam locomotive. But when that very locomotive shares screen space with Hollywood luminaries, the tale turns legendary. From Tracks to Reels The year was 1971. Southern Railway No. 4501, a locomotive steeped in history, transcended its traditional track boundaries. It was cast alongside James Maitland…

Many visitors are familiar with the museum’s flagship locomotive 4501, and although it continues in operation at TVRM much as it did in the 1930s, the tender behind it was not always behind 4501. This ‘new’ tender was sourced to carry additional coal and water, in the Southern excursion era, after it was discovered on…

We invite you to a delightful and festive holiday tea room experience at Grand Junction Depot. Join us in celebrating the season with all the tasty treats you adore, all combined into one unforgettable offering! Christmas Tea Here’s what awaits you: Location: Upstairs viewing room of Grand Junction Depot at 4119 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga, TN….

Last week, new batteries were installed in F7A locomotive 576, and the engine had all accessible light bulbs replaced. As a result, another major step in the locomotive’s return to service was accomplished. Once returned to service, the 576 will dethrone the 710 as the oldest operating diesel locomotive in our collection, as it was…

How a Grant is Helping Preserve History at Grand Junction Depot At the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, preserving history is more than just a mission—it’s a passion. Thanks to a generous grant from The Tennessee State Museum Capital Improvement Program, we have embarked on an important project to upgrade the HVAC systems at Grand Junction…

Today, August 11, marks 62 years since we were chartered in 1961 to preserve the golden age of the American Railroad! Over the years we’ve seen changes in the “outside world” that make us seem even more dated than we were in 1961, we’ve endured many trying times that threatened to end our existence, we’ve…

As part of our September 9 Founders Day activities we are offering a special evening photo shoot with a number of our vintage equipment items. Photoshoot details: Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutesBring your best photography equipment and join us for an exclusive night photo session at our East Chattanooga location! Participants will have the…

For Wednesday’s Atlanta bound NS inspection train, TVRM placed Southern Railway E8 6914, Central of Georgia combine car 390, TAG 80 and Southern Railway 50 on display at the end of the interchange track at Grand Junction.  In these two shots by Mike Ray you see the passing train and the display equipment and then…

Chattanooga Grand Junction Station invites adventurers of all ages to embark on an unforgettable educational journey steeped in history, nature, and the unmatched charm of train travel. We welcome school and camp groups to our beautiful Tennessee station, with a range of interactive experiences that guarantee a day full of learning and fun. Tailored Group…

Soule Shops Completes Major Refurbishment of Grand Trunk Western Dining Car The renowned Soule Shops has successfully completed another significant refurbishment, this time focusing on the Grand Trunk Western dining car, numbered 899 and named the “Silver Lake”. The recent photos showcase the impressive upgrades made to the car, including: A custom 3-compartment sink A…