- 5 hours Duration 5 hours
- All Ages Ages All Ages
Enjoy a 50-mile roundtrip through the beautiful lower Hiwassee River gorge. This 5-hour trip takes you to the top of the famous Hiwassee Loop.
Quick Details
This unique opportunity allows you to enjoy not only a railroad excursion trip but also fine dining en route while the train travels along the rails. Join the Tennessee Valley Railroad for dinner trains on select Fridays and Saturdays, March through October. The trips include a three-course dining experience onboard restored dining cars.
Our Dinner Trains are one of our most popular excursions and for good reason! Our Dining Car Superintendent and his team of Dining Car Stewards and Chefs provide exceptional customer service and delicious food all prepared and served in historic dining cars. A meal on the Dinner Train is like stepping back in time and the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion!
Dinner trains depart from Chattanooga’s Grand Junction depot in the evening, traveling at a leisurely pace through portions of urban East Chattanooga before reversing direction and returning to Grand Junction. The standard departure times are select Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 PM. The travel time is just right for the complete meal aboard the moving train.
Patrons may select their entrée of (sample):
One dessert per person:
Passengers may choose from true vintage dining in the Dining Car (four to a table) or the smaller tables for two in Pullman Car Clover Colony.
We do not have a formal dress code for the dinner train, but most passengers seem to enjoy dressing up a bit.
NOTE: The Dining and Pullman seating are in different cars. You will not be seated together if you select different seating types.
Dining Car Table Ticket (Seats up to 4 passengers):
Current Dining Cars in uses:
Pullman Section Table (Seats 2 passengers):
What is a Pullman car?
What did a Pullman car look like?
Interesting history of our Pullman car
The trains board at our Grand Junction depot, located at 4119 Cromwell Road in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Chattanooga is in the Eastern Time Zone. Please check the calendar for dates of operation and departure times.
Located within 10 minutes of our location:
Sonesta Select
Can Children Ride the Dinner Train?
Not recommended for children under 8 years old. Please note that our signature dining car menu and per-person pricing is the same for adults and children.
Dress Code and Etiquette
Meals served in dining cars were often a highlight of train travel for travelers to socialize, relax, and enjoy fist-class meals and service from stewards and wait staff. We do not have a formal dress code for the dinner train, but most passengers seem to enjoy and are encouraged to dress up for the occasion.
Historically, hats will also be removed in the dining car as you board and are seated for the duration of your meal service. Your Dining Car staff will be dressed in early-mid 20th century attire as they attend to your needs, and your participation with period-correct passenger etiquette helps to create an authentic and memorable experience for everyone!
Note: Due to the historic nature of this first-class dining setting, we ask that all passengers kindly exhibit noise etiquette as a courtesy to fellow passengers and our staff.
Do you offer Gluten-Free or Vegetarian Options?
The roast beef may be served without sauce to make it gluten-free and the vegetarian lasagna is offered for vegetarians. Please contact us at 423-894-8028 for any special dietary inquiries prior to purchase.
What sights will I see from Dinner Train?
As a key route for passenger and industrial service in the early and mid-20th century, this historic excursion line begins on a pre-Civil War route crossing four bridges and through the Missionary Ridge Tunnel. As the train makes its way past East Chattanooga, additional sights that can be viewed from the train include the Chattanooga Zoo established in 1937 and the Warner Park fields, previously called “Olympia Park” near the turn of the 20th century, which served as a public recreation area for horse races, ballgames, and even mock Army maneuver demonstrations for soldiers training during WWI. The train then travels alongside the historic Chattanooga National Cemetery established in 1863 and the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, a 33-acre outdoor international sculpture museum prior to the return trip back and arrival at the Grand Junction Depot. Note: the tracks are located along parts of urban East Chattanooga. This ride will not go along any scenic mountains or rivers.
Enjoy a 50-mile roundtrip through the beautiful lower Hiwassee River gorge. This 5-hour trip takes you to the top of the famous Hiwassee Loop.
Preserving Railroad History since 1961 — Make Plans to join us all year long.
Celebrate the holidays with a train ride and fine dining! This trip includes a four-course dining experience on board a restored 1924 dining car.