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Regional History

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is not just a testament to the golden age of railroads but also a deep dive into the rich regional history of Tennessee. From the booming industrial revolution that once steamed across its tracks to the people who built a life around the railways, the museum captures the essence of a bygone era, revealing stories that shaped the landscape of the Tennessee Valley.

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.

Experience the Magic of Steam at TVRM’s Steam Weekend

Experience the Magic of Steam at TVRM’s Steam Weekend Get ready for an immersive railway experience during TVRM’s Steam Weekend, happening on November 2-3, 2024. This special event features Steam Engine #630 on Saturday’s Missionary Ridge Local rides and a spectacular doubleheader with #630 and #4501 to Summerville, GA, on Sunday. Witness firsthand the majesty…

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November 1, 2024

Discover Train Journeys from Chattanooga and Delano This Weekend

East Tennessee Train Rides: Train Journeys This weekend, escape the ordinary and embark on a train adventure with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Whether you’re departing from Chattanooga or Delano, these train journeys are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the beauty of fall and the magic of rail travel. From Delano: Copperhill Special…

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October 18, 2024

Women on the Front Line: Honoring Ida Hicks and the Railway Express Agency

Trailblazer Ida Hicks: Pioneering Women in Railroading’s Legacy Did you know that women have long been integral to the success of railroading? From operations to logistics, women have contributed to this essential industry, often in ways that have gone unrecognized. For today’s Throwback Thursday, we shine a spotlight on Ms. Ida Hicks, a pioneering worker…

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October 17, 2024