Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is located in a region with a rich history. Here you will find file resources so that you can enjoy the many articles that have featured our region’s history. Click the Learn More links below to access the files.
THE EAST TENNESSEE (THE CRITICAL LINK)
In the 1830s, the frontier that was East Tennessee needed improved transportation to reach seaports and commercial centers east of the Appalachians. The first step, in late-1831, was the chartering of the Lynchburg and New River Railroad, designed to link the James River and Kanawha Canal at Lynchburg, Va., with the Tennessee River at Knoxville.
CIVIL WAR ECHOES AT THE TENNESSEE
Over 50 years ago, in 1961, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) was founded by a group of Chattanooga-area railfans. Most of these guys were members of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, who were tired of driving over 200 miles round trip on pre-Interstate highways just to attend the monthly meetings. A couple of years after TVRM was formed, one of the founders, Paul Merriman, purchased steam locomotive No. 12 from the dieselizing Kentucky & Tennessee Railroad of Stearns.
EAST TENNESSEE & GEORGIA RAILROAD AND THE CIVIL WAR
The year 2013 marks one of the sesquicentennial anniversaries of the Civil War. Mark Brainard, a keen Civil War historian (and re-enactment participant), is also a volunteer at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga. TVRM owns and operates three miles of former Southern Railway right-of-way that, it turns out for Civil War aficionados, is hallowed ground.
(Video) – A Century on the Rails: The Enduring Journey of Dining Car 3164
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…
April 28, 2025
(Video) – Dining in Elegance: The Journey of Southern Railway’s ‘Travelers Fare’ Dining Car
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…
April 27, 2025
All Aboard for a Weekend of Adventure at TVRM
All Aboard for a Weekend of Adventure at TVRM Looking for a memorable weekend experience? The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) offers something for everyone—from quick, engaging excursions to immersive day-long adventures through breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a family-friendly outing, TVRM’s variety of train rides…
April 25, 2025
Dining Car 3164: From Luxury to Legacy
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…
April 24, 2025
(Video) – Another Great Day to Ride a Train at TVRM! 🚂✨
Steam Season Rolls On – Come Experience It! Steam Season is in full swing, and our legendary 121-year-old steam locomotive, Southern 630, has been working hard on the Missionary Ridge Local! With all departures on Sunday, March 2 featuring this historic engine, now is the perfect time to step aboard and experience the thrill of…
March 2, 2025
(Video) – A Fantastic First Day of Steam Season at TVRM! 🚂🔥
Steam Season Kicks Off with a Spectacular Start! The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) kicked off Steam Season with an incredible first day! Our 121-year-old locomotive, Southern 630, proudly took center stage, demonstrating the power and elegance of steam railroading. Pictured: The Evening Ridge Runner departing Grand Junction Depot at 5 PM, carrying passengers on…
March 1, 2025