Train Restoration

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…

More Work Continues at TVRM: Historic Trains Poised for a Spectacular 2024 The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) is buzzing with activity as we usher in 2024 with several exciting projects. From the ongoing restoration of the esteemed Office Car 98 to the meticulous maintenance of our beloved steam engines, TVRM is committed to preserving…

Reviving History: The Transformation of Office Car No. 98 In the realm of historic preservation, the restoration of railway vehicles holds a special place, blending engineering prowess with a deep respect for our past. A prime example of this is the ongoing restoration of our 1917 office car No. 98. This week marked a significant…

Amid the ongoing work on Electrical and HVAC systems, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum seized a unique window of opportunity to embark on an exciting project: the transformation of Office Car 21. This historic car has been meticulously painted in the traditional Southern livery, a tribute to the rich heritage of our railway. Office Car…

Celebrating the Historic Comeback of C&O 1877 When I first laid eyes on #C&O1877, it was hard to imagine that a day like today would ever arrive. Witnessing the transformation of this historic railcar has been nothing short of miraculous. The owner, filled with pride, watched as the once-forgotten car was ready for operation after…

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…

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…

Last week, new batteries were installed in F7A locomotive 576, and the engine had all accessible light bulbs replaced. As a result, another major step in the locomotive’s return to service was accomplished. Once returned to service, the 576 will dethrone the 710 as the oldest operating diesel locomotive in our collection, as it was…

Soule Shops Completes Major Refurbishment of Grand Trunk Western Dining Car The renowned Soule Shops has successfully completed another significant refurbishment, this time focusing on the Grand Trunk Western dining car, numbered 899 and named the “Silver Lake”. The recent photos showcase the impressive upgrades made to the car, including: A custom 3-compartment sink A…

We’re excited to unveil our most recently completed passenger car project – Coach 1480, named after Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, located in Blacksburg, Virginia. This historic gem, steeped in decades of railway history, is set to enter service today, and here’s everything you need to know about it! The Origin: A Sleeping Car’s…