Quick Details
Experience the History of Chattanooga on the Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride
Our most frequent service trips — called the “Local” for short — begin at our Grand Junction Station and take you over four bridges and through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel. The trip is 65-minutes (15 min to East Chattanooga, 25 min layover, and 15 min back to Grand Junction) and includes a turntable demonstration and brief tour of the TVRM restoration shop in East Chattanooga.
Breakdown of the 65-minute experience on the Missionary Ridge Local includes 6-miles roundtrip, tour guide providing local history throughout the experience, crossing four bridges, passing through pre-Civil War, horseshoe-shaped tunnel, historic turntable demonstration, and a brief tour of train restoration shops. Come on ride the train!
The term “Local” refers to shorter trains that were once a lifeline to small towns along the railroad. Local trains featured frequent stops and services that included mail delivery, shipping of local produce, meat and dairy products, and for some children, even their daily ride to school!
Imagine as you stand on the platform as the train arrives… the train rolls to a stop with the ground rumbling beneath your feet, you feel a mounting sense of anticipation. The conductor calls the long-awaited signal: “Board!” Excitement builds as passengers scurry to their seats, looking forward to a relaxing trip aboard the train, on to their next destination. This was a regular occurrence 100 years ago… and it still is today on the Missionary Ridge Local!
Missionary Ridge Local trips begin at the Grand Junction depot and take passengers along one of the original railroad lines into Chattanooga, crossing bridges and diving through the Missionary Ridge Tunnel before arriving at the other side of our museum, East Chattanooga.
The train stops at East Chattanooga, allowing riders off the train to watch the locomotive rotating on a turntable and participate in a tour of the railroad restoration shop before re-boarding for the return trip. Round trip time is slightly less than one hour – a great introductory train ride for kids!
Join our engineer in the cab of the locomotive for the ultimate train ride experience!
Steam locomotive: $55 for one-way ride and $80 round trip ride per person. Limit two riders per trip; age: 12-14 accompanied with an adult, 15 and up unaccompanied.
Diesel Locomotive: $35 for one-way ride and $50 round trip ride per person. Limit two riders per trip; minimum age 10-14 accompanied by an adult, 15 and up unaccompanied.
**All cab riders are required to wear long pants without rips or holes and close-toed shoes. Protective eyewear and earplugs will be available at check-in.
All cab ride tickets are first-come, first-served. Cab riders without long pants without rips or holes and close-toed shoes will not be permitted to ride in the cab.
Starting in Chattanooga, our trips are based out of the 4119 Cromwell Road location. This includes any North Georgia routes going to Chickamauga or Summerville!
Historic rail cars and stations were built before the advent of accommodations for individuals with special needs. Our passenger cars and Summerville station were not designed to safely accommodate wheelchairs. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognizes the limitations of such historic rail equipment and expressly exempts trains and stations of this type from accessibility requirements. Though we cannot accommodate wheelchair use or access within our historical passenger cars, all persons who are able to board the train themselves and occupy a standard passenger seat are welcomed and encouraged to ride.
TVRM reserves the right to substitute equipment or motive power and to alter published fares, times of operation, and destination as mechanical or operating conditions require, without notice.
Hubs and I did the Missionary Ridge Train ride during a quick stop in Chattanooga for the holidays. The train was more for him than me, but we both had a phenomenal time! Not only are all the employees helpful and kind, they experience is incredibly informative and interesting. I suggest if there are only 2 people in your party to ride in the cab of the train. We rode with the engineer who drives and it took our experience to the next level. Joe the engineer told us a plethora of extra info about the trim, TVRM, and you get to ride in the lead train car while it turns around at the turn around spot. So cool! Also, check out the exhibit they have in the depot area. Loads of info and cool things to check out!
– Google ReviewA great stop for train enthusiasts. Nicely restored locomotives and passenger cars. The missionary ridge train ride is pleasant and informative.
– Google ReviewWe took the Missionary Risge train ride today and loved it. The entire way to East Ridge the conductor gives a narrated tour of the history of the trains we are on as well as the area. This is followed by a narrated demonstration of the turn table which rotates the train for the ride back. It was fun, informative, and scenic. Will be recommending to friends and family when they visit.
– Google ReviewExperience 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.
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.
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.
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