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.
A Big Year of Growth at TVRM: Looking Back at 1981
As the year winds down, it’s a perfect time to reflect on moments that helped shape what guests experience at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum today. One of the most pivotal chapters in our story came in 1981, a year marked by operational milestones, major infrastructure investments, and the tireless dedication of volunteers…
December 18, 2025
Final Inspection — The Work Behind the Steam
Behind the Scenes with Fireman Kyle Shannon Before a single whistle echoes across the hills or a wheel turns down the track, a dedicated team ensures every bolt, bearing, and brake on 114-year-old Steam Engine No. 4501 is in working order. On this day, Fireman Kyle Shannon — a seasoned member of TVRM’s mechanical team…
August 23, 2025
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
(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