Southern Railway 4501 & GP38-2 5000: A Legacy Preserved
Riding the Rails of History: The Legacy of Southern Railway 4501 and GP38-2 5000 The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) offers rail enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience the storied history of two iconic locomotives: Southern Railway 4501 and Southern GP38-2 5000. Though separated by six decades and representing different eras of railroad technology, these…
August 24, 2024
Southern Railway Dining Car 3158: A Century of Continuous Service
Southern Railway Dining Car 3158: A Century of Continuous Service Southern Railway Dining Car 3158, built by Pullman in 1924, has a storied history that continues to captivate train enthusiasts and museum patrons alike. Donated to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) by Southern Railway in 1969, this remarkable dining car is now celebrating a…
May 17, 2024
Century Celebration: Southern Railway Dining Car 3158
Celebrating 100 Years: The Journey of Southern Railway Dining Car No. 3158 A Century of Service – TVRM’s former Southern Railway Dining Car No. 3158 has long held the record of being the oldest continuously operating dining car in the country, and today that record enters triple digits, as the venerable 78 foot long, 87-ton…
February 21, 2024
History & Might: The Story of Southern Railway Wreck Crane No. 903008
Journey Through Time: The Legacy of Southern Railway Wreck Crane No. 903008 In the heart of our workshop, history reverberates as we service our iconic Southern Railway wreck crane, No. 903008. A Storied History Constructed in 1917 by the renowned Bucyrus Company, this crane has seen a century’s worth of rail history. Originally believed to…
September 4, 2023
Throwback Thursday: Reliving the ’80s with Southern Railway 630 on the Missionary Ridge Local
Today for “Throwback Thursday,” Southern Railway 630 leads a TVRM Missionary Ridge Local trip out of East Chattanooga in the mid-1980s. Though clothing styles have changed since the 80s, you can still experience the same nostalgia of historic steam and passenger equipment with the Southern 630 from 1904 leading our Missionary Ridge Local excursions this…
August 24, 2023
Founder’s Day – September 9, 2023
Come out and join us as we celebrate 62+ years of railroad preservation! Special Events throughout the day: Special Photo Exhibit in the lobby of Grand Junction Depot: “Steam in the Valley, TVRM’s Early Years” by John Coniglio On the grounds “history interpretation” will represent Military encampment and demonstrations. Also on display – a few…
A Vintage Diesel Weekend at TVRM – Ride with History!
August 19 and 20 will be a special weekend at TVRM: Vintage Diesel weekend on the Missionary Ridge Local! Saturday will feature Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway No. 80 and Sunday will feature Southern Railway No. 5000. It’s a great time to ride a train. Be sure to ask at the station about upgrading to…
August 18, 2023
“In The Movies”: The Riveting Tale of Southern Railway No. 4501
Few can boast the timeless allure and charm of a steam locomotive. But when that very locomotive shares screen space with Hollywood luminaries, the tale turns legendary. From Tracks to Reels The year was 1971. Southern Railway No. 4501, a locomotive steeped in history, transcended its traditional track boundaries. It was cast alongside James Maitland…
August 18, 2023
Throwback Thursday: Iconic Locomotive 4501 to Ride Again with Historically Sourced Tender: Discover the Story Behind the Engine
Many visitors are familiar with the museum’s flagship locomotive 4501, and although it continues in operation at TVRM much as it did in the 1930s, the tender behind it was not always behind 4501. This ‘new’ tender was sourced to carry additional coal and water, in the Southern excursion era, after it was discovered on…
August 17, 2023
Capture the Past: Exclusive Evening Photo Shoot with Vintage Locomotives on Founders Day at TVRM
As part of our September 9 Founders Day activities we are offering a special evening photo shoot with a number of our vintage equipment items. Photoshoot details: Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutesBring your best photography equipment and join us for an exclusive night photo session at our East Chattanooga location! Participants will have the…
August 8, 2023