Train Rides & Excursions

Enjoy a picturesque round-trip train ride through the Hiwassee River Gorge this holiday season! Write a letter and meet Santa and enjoy a delicious gingerbread cookie and chocolate milk on the train!

Embark on a journey aboard our historic short-line locomotive! Our most regularly scheduled voyages, fondly known as “The Local,” initiate from our distinguished Grand Junction Station, heading towards East Chattanooga. Here, you’ll enjoy a stopover featuring an intriguing demonstration of a classic turntable, followed by a tour of our workshop.

Come to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and take a ride on the North Pole Limited Christmas Train! You’ll get to visit the North Pole and see all of the Christmas decorations. It’s the most popular annual event, and has been a family tradition since 1999.

Celebrate the holidays while enjoying a nightcap with St. Nick! Begin your holiday festivities on a one hour train ride with all the bright trimmings of the season. Ages 21 and up only.

The Holiday Christmas Lights Train is a great way to relax and enjoy the festive displays and sparkling Christmas lights after the holiday has come and gone. If you’re looking for something to do to get into the Christmas spirit, this is a great option.

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers a Christmas tea with all your holiday favorites. The sights and sounds of the season are the perfect backdrop for this special event.

Includes all-day entrance to the property and exhibits on the property. Does not include a train ride.

Admission is included with a Train Ticket. Do not buy if you have already purchased a train ride.

Become an annual pass holder! Members enjoy exclusive benefits and access. Choose the membership level that’s right for you.

Get ready to embark on a journey of delightful gift-giving!

Say goodbye to the endless online search for that ideal present. At the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, we make gifting effortless and memorable. Our gift cards, redeemable for historic train rides, are your ticket to providing a one-of-a-kind experience. Whether it’s for a history buff, a train enthusiast, or someone who loves unique adventures, our train ride gift cards cater to all. These thoughtful presents offer an opportunity to create lasting memories aboard our historic trains, traveling through the picturesque landscapes of Tennessee. Easy to purchase and even more exciting to receive, these gift cards are perfect for stocking stuffers, making your holiday gifting both meaningful and hassle-free.

Returning in the Spring of 2024. Ride with Thomas and enjoy a day of fun-filled Thomas & Friends™ themed activities! Meet trains, enjoy crafts, storytelling, train play tables, coloring, temporary tattoos, and more!

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Dinner Train is a unique opportunity to enjoy a railroad excursion trip and fine dining en route. The train travels through the Tennessee Valley, making this a perfect outing for anyone who loves trains and good food.

Embark on a remarkable 50-mile journey through the picturesque lower Hiwassee River gorge, culminating at the peak of the iconic Hiwassee Loop—a unique rail marvel found only in Farner, Tennessee, and just six locations across North America. Experience this 5-hour trip with no layovers, immersing in the history.

The Chickamauga Turn is a historic 6-hour train ride to the Civil War town of Chickamauga, Georgia. The journey takes passengers through the beautiful rolling hills of rural Georgia via the former Central of Georgia Railroad.

The Summerville Steam Special offers a unique opportunity to experience a bygone era of rail travel. The vintage steam engine train offers a scenic ride from Chattanooga to Summerville and back, traversing a historic route.

Embark on the Copperhill Train Ride, an extensive 94-mile round trip journey traversing the lower Hiwassee River Gorge and the unique Hiwassee Loop, culminating in the paired cities of Copperhill, Tennessee, and McCaysville, Georgia. Enjoy a self-paced lunch during a 90-minute layover, making your day-long adventure a memorable one.

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers a unique way to ring in the New Year with their New Year’s Eve Dinner Train. Guests can enjoy a four-course meal while taking in the sights of the Chattanooga area.

This event offers a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved one. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers a special train ride that includes a four-course meal. This event is a great way to enjoy a romantic evening out while also traveling through Chattanooga.

The Christmas Dinner Train is a great way to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. The four-course dining experience is sure to please everyone in your group!

This summer, kids can enjoy a fun and exciting Railroad Summer Camp! With activities like train rides and arts and crafts, this camp is sure to be a blast for kids of all ages.

The Founder’s Day event at TVRM celebrates over six decades of dedicated railroad preservation and history. Attendees will experience a unique journey through time, showcasing the legacy and vision of the museum’s pioneers.

Join a 75-min night photo session at TVRM’s East Chattanooga to photograph rare locomotives.

Join us on our premier Evening Ridge Runner journey. As Chattanooga’s skyline turns golden, experience this unique voyage inside our authentic mid-century passenger cars. Commanding the expedition is our centenarian #4501 steam engine, the celebrated queen of steam.

The Rising Railroad Professionals program is an overnight experience for aspiring railroaders, museum professionals, and historians to better understand and gain hands-on experience with a wide array of museum operations.

Passengers begin by boarding a vintage train for a trip over four bridges and through Missionary Ridge Tunnel. Once arriving at the Funhouse Station, riders disembark and enter the Funhouse area.

Experience a timeless blend of a traditional tea on the second floor of Grand Junction Depot and a historic train journey with the Homefront Tea Room – A Tea in the Depot Experience. Savor a full tea service replete with a selection of treats and a 65-minute train ride; book your tickets for a memorable afternoon.

We offer birthday options at Chattanooga Grand Junction Station catering to your birthday’s requirements.

Looking to volunteer with Tennessee Valley Railroad? Become a member and enjoy exclusive benefits and access.