Heritage Railways

Doug Karhan: A Steward of Steam’s Legacy The world of steam locomotion and railway heritage has recently bid farewell to one of its unsung heroes. Doug Karhan, a venerated master mechanic of steam for Norfolk Southern from 1982 until the end of excursions in 1994, passed away on November 11, 2021. His legacy is a…

TVRM’s Tribute: Marines Guarding U.S. Mail in the 1920s The 1920s, often referred to as the “Roaring 20s”, was a decade filled with excitement, jazz, flappers, and immense cultural shifts. But beyond the music and dance, the decade holds a significant place in the annals of railroad history. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) is…

L&N Historical Society Moves to Chattanooga: Enhancing Southern Railroad Research & Preservation 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…

TVRM Welcomes Historic Louisville & Nashville Caboose 1041 to Its Collection TVRM is delighted to announce the arrival of our latest donation, the Louisville & Nashville caboose 1041, meticulously crafted by L&N’s South Louisville Shop. This historic treasure, bestowed upon us by the family of Leonard and Sue Powell, has been residing on the family’s…

Rediscovering the Glory: Southern Railway’s 5000 Dons New Paint As enthusiasts of railway heritage, we’re thrilled to announce a spectacular revival at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM). Fresh out of the paint shop, the Southern Railway’s 5000, a beacon of American railroad history, has been meticulously restored to its former glory. Purchased in 1972,…

A Cherished Moment: A Tribute to Bob Soule and the TVRM Legacy I vividly recall that day in the spring of 2011 when the steam locomotive 630 made its first test run after a comprehensive restoration. Our Shop Foreman, George Walker, had coupled the vintage Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis wooden caboose behind the newly…

Showcasing a Slice of Railroad History at Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) has always championed the vision of being more than a static showcase of railroad history – we aim to be a ‘Museum that Moves’. With a diverse range of historic pieces in our collection, we offer an immersive…

A Ride Down Memory Lane: Steam Locomotive 630 and The Legacy of TVRM It seems like yesterday that we watched steam locomotive 630 roll out for test runs in the spring of 2011. I still remember the excitement in the air, the buzz of anticipation and the pride that every TVRM employee felt on that…

Reviving a Legend: The Restoration of Locomotive 4501 In the heart of a locomotive workshop, a piece of railroad history is coming back to life. Here, we find one of Locomotive 4501’s massive driving wheels, a titan of steel and engineering, cradled gently as it awaits reunion with its axle. On the workshop floor lies…

Riding the Rails of History: The Epic Tale of Southern Railway 4501 The Southern Railway Mikado 4752, notable for its Worthington feedwater heater on the smokebox, shares a significant design feature with its celebrated counterpart, the Southern Railway 4501. This piece delves into the storied past of the 4501, a locomotive that has become a…