Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

FOUNDER'S DAY 2025

CELEBRATE TVRM’S RAIL HERITAGE

Quick Details

Step into the grandeur of yesteryears at the TVRM Founder’s Day event! Celebrate over six decades of intricate railroad preservation, where the past meets the present in a symphony of steam and stories. From vintage locomotive displays to nostalgic exhibits, this event is a must-attend for history aficionados and train enthusiasts alike. Book your tickets now and be a part of this captivating journey through time.

Founders Day Celebration – Honoring 64 Years of History
Join us for a memorable Founders Day weekend as we celebrate the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s 64th anniversary with special events, historic locomotives, and immersive experiences for all ages.
This year, several major milestones are celebrated:
  • U.S. Army / Air Force Locomotives 8669 and 8677 turn 80 years old, having served Overseas during WWII, followed by decades of stateside service for both the Military and TVRM.
  • Central of Georgia RS3 No. 109 and Hartford & Sloccomb RS-1 No. 913 both celebrate their 75th anniversaries.

 

Special Equipment Appearances:
  •  Steam Locomotive 630 will operate in authentic “in service” Southern Railway livery with red number plate, Southern Hooter whistle, and silver trim.
  • Locomotive 4501 will be dressed as Central of Georgia- as “MacArthur” No. “699”, in 1940s condition, ready to help Uncle Sam win the War.
  • USAF Baldwin 7467 will be restored to its mid-20th-century Strata Blue paint-scheme. The USAF 7467, during the height of the “Space Race,” pulled TVRM’s “Wind Tunnel Flyer” trip on to Tullahoma’s Arnold Air Force Base in 1967, introducing TVRM patrons to critical NASA testing projects and leading up to the first moon landing in 1969.  This locomotive supported base development of the X-15 Space Plane technology, Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, including critical re-entry calculations and lunar module engine tests.

 

Programming Highlights:
  • Nighttime photo session featuring vintage equipment depicting the 1930s-1960s
  • Historic military demonstrations and blank-firing exhibits
  • A special exhibit: Rails to Rockets – exploring railroad contributions to national defense from the 1930s to 1960s
  • Model railroad displays open both days
  • Ham radio demonstrations at the depot and aboard the Chickamauga Turn
  • An art market in the Midway area both days, featuring local artisan vendors
  • Special guided tours (details to come)

 

Fundraising and Legacy:
We’ll also be announcing special projects and fundraising initiatives for our 65th anniversary year.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience living history and celebrate the steam, steel, and stories that have shaped the Tennessee Valley Railroad over the past 64 years.

Missionary Ridge Local Schedule:

September 6th:

(All time in Eastern Timezone)

September 7th:

(All time in Eastern Timezone)

RELATED RIDES