Forks, Art & Rails — Why TVRM’s Lunch Train Is Chattanooga’s New Must-Do
Grand Junction Depot has always been the heartbeat of Chattanooga’s rail revival, but now the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) is adding a fresh pulse: the Lunch Train. This two-hour-and-forty-five-minute excursion pairs a chef-curated, three-course meal with a relaxing roll through the city’s urban art corridor to the 33-acre Sculpture Fields at Montague Park. It’s…
Steam, Sunsets & Scones in Chattanooga
Chattanooga was once the crossroads of Southern railroading, and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) has preserved that spirit since its 1961. This weekend, you can sample that legacy three different ways: ride behind 113-year-old steam star #630 on the Missionary Ridge Local, watch twilight roll in from the Evening Ridge Runner, and savor chef-crafted…
Steam Whistles & Small-Town Wanders: Our Summerville Family Escape
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…
TVRM Model Train Layout Open Today | 10-3 PM
TVRM’s mission—to “collect for preservation, operation … and display railroad artifacts in an authentic setting to educate the public” —guides every exhibit, from 150-ton steam engines to the finely detailed HO-scale empire tucked beneath Southern Railway Historical Association’s front brick building. From 10 AM–3 PM today, you can step into that lower-level gallery and…
Steam, Tea & Mountains: Your Ultimate Chattanooga Rail Weekend
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…
Feel the Steam, Savor the Sunset: Your Perfect TVRM Weekend Rail Itinerary
Feel the Steam, Savor the Sunset: Your Perfect TVRM Weekend Rail Itinerary Train Departure Experience Length Ideal For Steam Star #4501 – Summerville Steam Special 9:30 AM 9 hrs Day-trippers & rail enthusiasts Steam Engine #630 – Missionary Ridge Local 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 2:00, 3:30 55 min Families & first-time riders Evening Ridge Runner 6:00…
Preserving the Past with Every Pane: Grand Junction’s Window Renovation Project
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…
June 25, 2025
Ride the Legend—Steam Engine 4501 Returns to Summerville
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…
June 23, 2025
All Aboard: Every Rail Journey at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
All Aboard: Every Rail Journey at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Whether you have an hour, an afternoon, or a whole day to spare, TVRM offers a lineup of distinct rail experiences that turn an ordinary weekend into a memory-making journey. Below is your guide to every regularly scheduled trip you can book right now—plus…
Ride the Rails and Relive the Adventure: Chickamauga Turn Awaits
Did you know about this train ride in Chattanooga? This historic day trip goes from Chattanooga to North Georgia, and you can visit a lookout tower, dine on a train, and explore a mansion. You start at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Station, get your tickets and head to your seats. The train passes through a…
Rain or Shine: Unwind with Evening Rides and Tea Time at TVRM
When the skies are unpredictable, the best escape is one that stays steady on the rails. At the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM), every weekend offers an opportunity to ride into comfort, charm, and nostalgia—no umbrella required. From elegant evening departures to hands-on family fun, and even traditional high tea before a journey, TVRM welcomes…
NC&StL 710 Leads One of TVRM’s Longest Chickamauga Turns
NC&StL 710 Leads One of TVRM’s Longest Chickamauga Turns On a crisp morning in Chattanooga, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) embarked on one of its longest Chickamauga Turn excursions to date. Leading the journey was the venerable NC&StL 710, a diesel locomotive with a storied past, while the rear was graced by the elegantly…