Railroad Preservation

Southern No. 4501 is back in green. Following weather-related delays that pushed the project past its original May 9 target, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum unveiled the newly painted 4501 over Memorial Day weekend. The locomotive will carry the classic Southern Railway passenger livery — green body, gold lettering — throughout the 2026 operating season….

A Limited Celebratory Return for a Steam Icon TVRM Announces Celebratory Paint Projects At the Annual Banquet for the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance conference in Chattanooga, TN, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum announced that it’s iconic steam locomotive No. 4501 will return from her annual inspection wearing the classic Southern Railway passenger livery she entered…

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…

Frisco 200 Rolls Again: A Classic Diesel Returns to Life at TVRM When Saint Louis–San Francisco Railway (Frisco) locomotive 200 rolled out of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Soule Shops this morning, it wasn’t just another shop move. It was the return of a one-of-a-kind diesel, wearing its familiar Frisco paint scheme once more and…

TENNESSEE VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM AWARDED A CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS GRANT FROM THE TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM GRANT WILL BE USED FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO GRAND JUNCTION CAMPUS CHATTANOOGA, TN. NOV 11, 2025 TENNESSEE VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM is a recipient of a $100,000 grant for Capital Maintenance and Improvements from the State of Tennessee as administered through…

A Powerful Start to October at TVRM As autumn colors begin to blanket the Tennessee Valley, there’s no better way to welcome the season than with the sight and sound of Southern Railway 4501. At the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM), steam is once again alive and rolling as this beloved locomotive undergoes her final…

Big Wheels, Bigger Work Fall 2013 marked a turning point at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM). Guests strolling through East Chattanooga may have seen sparks from the Soule Shops, but few realized they were witnessing the rebirth of Southern Railway 2-8-2 Mikado #4501. By late August, crews had slid three massive driving wheel axles…

A Toast to the Past: Dining Car 3158 Returns to TVRM Rails Friday night’s dinner train saw the second night of service for former Southern Railway Dining car 3158 after its extensive, five month, body and kitchen rehabilitation. The train was also the shake down cruise for Southern Railway Office Car 21 after a multi-year…

All Aboard: Every Rail Journey at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Whether you have an hour, an afternoon, or a whole day to spare, TVRM offers a lineup of distinct rail experiences that turn an ordinary weekend into a memory-making journey. Below is your guide to every regularly scheduled trip you can book right now—plus…

Legacy America Premieres at TVRM: Honoring the Soul of American Railroads Tonight, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) had the profound honor of hosting the premiere of Legacy America – A Portrait of the American Railway, a new documentary film that celebrates the enduring impact of railroads on American identity, industry, and culture. Set against…