What it takes to put on an event While about 70% of our ridership comes from passengers on our “regular” trains (Missionary Ridge Local, Hiwassee and North Georgia), the remaining 30% come from special events. Those 30% of our riders represent 57% of our passenger revenue due to the higher prices charged for the events….
April 12, 2021
Riding in Luxury In the last issue of Smoke and Cinders we talked about the special events that are used to boost TVRM’s income. While these events generate a higher ticket price (and cost) they represent a relatively small part of our operating schedule. For a much longer part of the year we operate off…
April 12, 2021
Being in Select Company – TVRM Joins the SHA Biltmore Estate…Shenandoah Caverns…The Blowing Rock…Rock City…Ruby Falls. These iconic heritage attractions bring to mind the very best of historic and scenic destinations, but they have something else in common. Each of these locations is a member of the prestigious Southern Highlands Attractions, or SHA – a…
April 12, 2021
The First 55 Years I remember the day that steam locomotive 630 rolled out of the shop for test runs in the spring of 2011. Shop Foreman George Walker had the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis wooden caboose hooked up behind 630 so that employees could go for a ride behind the newly-restored steam engine….
April 12, 2021
Equipment Acquisition The spring of 2019 has seen several items added to the TVRM rolling stock collection. Although not all are yet on the property we expect to see them over the next few months. Southern Dining Car 3307 Acquired from Amtrak through the generous contributions of several TVRM members and Southern Railway fans, the…
April 12, 2021
It All Started with A Birthday Party And, my wife is still mad at herself. I can’t help but laugh as I sit here and remember the details. On August 26, 2000, my wife and I were over in East Ridge shopping, and she became sick and needed to go home ASAP. On our way to Harrison, as we pulled off at the Jersey Pike exit, she asked me to make a left turn rather than the normal right. Against my concern for her health, she then directed me over to TVRM at Grand Junction. “OK, what’s the deal?” I ask. She reminded me of a conversation we had where I mentioned I was getting to the age where there are some things I will just never get the opportunity to do. “Like what?” she says. “Well I always wanted…
April 12, 2021
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is a great place to learn about the history of the railroad. The museum has a collection of locomotives and cars that visitors can explore. Dinner Trains operating Fridays and Saturdays through June Click date to purchase tickets: March: 26, 27 April: 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24,…
March 19, 2021
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) and the Southern Railway Historical Association (SRHA) have entered into an agreement with the L&N Historical Society (LNHS) to relocate the LNHS headquarters, archives, and company store from Bowling Green, KY to Chattanooga, TN. LNHS will occupy space in the existing archive facility on Turntable Dr, which is part of the TVRM Grand Junction campus. The L&NHS Board of Directors on March 11th voted unanimously to approve the agreement. The TVRM owned building was constructed in 2011 and was acquired during 2018. The interior has since been modified, so that railroad archives can be suitably and safely housed. The Southern Railway Historical Association (SRHA) moved its archives to the building during 2018. L&NHS will relocate to Chattanooga as soon as additional space in the Chattanooga facility can be made ready. L&NHS will occupy approximately…
March 19, 2021
Exciting news! Two new dates have been added for the Wine Train: August 8th and 16th. Book your tickets at https://goldenslope.com/wine-train
July 29, 2019
Getting back to our roots – we will be running the Missionary Ridge Local featuring double steam engines all day on Saturday, September 7. Tickets: $90 Cross Keys Tavern ribbon cutting and dinner $5 grounds pass – $5 will go toward purchase of ticket or pass $25 Day pass for unlimited MRL rides $18 MRL…
July 26, 2019
TVRM’s latest donation arrived at Soule Shops this afternoon. It is former Louisville & Nashville caboose 1041 built by L&N’s South Louisville Shop. It was donated to TVRM by the family of Leonard and Sue Powell. The vintage cab had spent the last few years on the family’s property near Wrightsville, Georgia. TVRM dispatched a specially…
July 25, 2019
2019 Excursion & Special Events Schedule available now!
January 24, 2019