Railroad History

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…

Railroads are woven into the fabric of America’s history, and they have been shaped by countless individuals dedicated to their craft. Among those, a figure stands out in the world of railroading: Mr. Harvey Blassingame, a retired CSX conductor and our very own “Living Legend.” A Lifetime on the Rails Harvey’s love affair with the…

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…

October 8, 2021 Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Celebrates 60 Years of Preserving Railroad History Chattanooga, TN — The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) has been preserving railroad history since 1961, and this month, it is kicking off a year-long celebration that will highlight the museum’s 60-year heritage with two weekends of special events and displays….

Planning for the Future: Celebrating 60 Years and Beyond at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Table of Contents Introduction Six Decades of Railroad Heritage Envisioning the Next 60 Years Expanding Educational Outreach Facility Improvements and Expansion How You Can Contribute Conclusion Introduction As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM),…

Historic Fairbanks-Morse H16-66 Locomotive Adds Sparkle to Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Collection Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) has proudly announced the addition of an iconic Fairbanks-Morse model H16-66 #F3060 locomotive to their collection, a gracious donation from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Manufactured in 1958 and affectionately termed the “Baby” Trainmaster, this 1600 horsepower locomotive…

In this bustling quarter, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’ blog has kept its readers on their toes. Here’s a concise recap of what we delved into: TVA Donation: We kicked off with an in-depth look at the generous donation by TVA, shedding light on its historical and contemporary significance for rail enthusiasts and Tennessee’s rail…

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,…

Stepping back in time, few could predict the storied life that Car 390 would lead. Built in 1947 by American Car and Foundry, this remarkable railway carriage first served the Central of Georgia’s famed train “the Nancy Hanks II”. As of recent, it is set to grace the tracks again in its original Central of…

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…