- 6 Hours
- All Ages
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.
Quick Details
Scenic Steam Engine Train Ride!
This train follows a historic route from our Grand Junction depot in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Summerville, Georgia and return. Crossing the state line in Rossville, the train wanders through the outskirts of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga Military Park and then passes through the small Georgia towns of Chickamauga, Rock Spring, LaFayette, Trion, and finally Summerville. Departure for this all day trip is 9:00 A.M. and returns approximately 6:00 P.M. (all times Eastern)
Fall colors are a scenic highlight during the autumn trips, but every train offers optional dining service and a relaxing layover in Summerville to explore town or get lunch. For many, the highlight of the day is listening to one of our steam locomotives pull the train through the Georgia foothills. Come see why the Summerville Steam Special lives up to it’s name!
*The Summerville depot does not have a platform ramp and passengers will not be able to exit the train except by using the stairwells of a train car. Potential passengers should consider this before making their dining or layover plans for Summerville.
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Please note:
Tickets are mandatory for everyone aged 2 and above.
Train Car Options:
- Open Window Coach – Car 1000
- The Southern Railway 1000 is a heavyweight coach originally built in 1925 by the Pullman Company.
- Learn more about Southern Railway 1000
- Coach Car 661
Coach Car 857
Coach 906
Coach 907
- Open Window Coach – Car 1000
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The locomotive will be rotated on the turntable, serviced, and watered in Summerville for its return trip to Chattanooga. Motive power is usually No. 4501, though occasionally No. 630 may pull duties for the day.
Crew:
- Engineer
- Fireman
- G&W Pilot
- Conductor
- Trainman
- Stewards
- First Class Attendants
- Cooks
Coal: 6-8 Tons
Water: 13-15,000 GallonsTrack Speed:
- 20 MPH – TVRM
- 15 MPH – G&W
Historically, the Central of Georgia timetable shows trains averaging 23 MPH between Chattanooga and Rome, which included station and flag stops. The popular photo location at Rock Spring was once a flag stop for farmers sending poultry, eggs, and produce north to Chattanooga. Some of these goods were then supplied to dining services on trains departing from the Chattanooga Terminal.
The route the train follows is over the former Central of Georgia Railway once it departs the East Chattanooga Belt Railway at 23rd. Street in Chattanooga. The track is owned by Norfolk Southern to Rossville, and then the State of Georgia further south, where it is currently operated by the Genessee & Wyoming as the Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway. TVRM wishes to thank NS, G&W, and the State of Georgia for the cooperation and partnership that make these trips possible.
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Children under 2 years ride free if not occupying a seat. All trains run rain or shine and ticket sales are final.
Prices begin at $75 per ticket (Adjustable Window Car or Coach without meal)
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Depart Grand Junction Depot (Chattanooga): 9:00AM
Arrive in Summerville, GA: 1:05PM
Depart Summerville, GA: 2:05PM
Arrive back to Grand Junction Depot: 6:00PM
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Things to Do in Summerville GA during the layover
September 16 – Chili & Stew Cook-Off
September 30 – Local vendor day
October 7 – Sum Nelly Arts & Crafts Festival
October 14 – Summerville Mini Renaissance Festival
October 21-22 – Sequoyah Quilt Show
October 28 – Halloween Candy Walk & Pumpkin Palooza Festival
November 4-5 – Trains & Tracks Expo
Attractions
- Historic Summerville Train Depot & Turntable – The Historic Summerville Depot is located in the heart of downtown next to Dowdy Park. Featured in the HBO film “Warm Springs,” and “Ma Ma Flora’s Family,” the depot delivers historic Southern charm and is available year-round for outdoor viewing.
- The Chattanooga, Rome, and Columbus Railroad was built to Lyerly, Summerville, and Trion in 1889. The depot was constructed at that time. The railroad was merged into the Central of Georgia system in 1901. Sometime later the first depot burned and a second depot was constructed. This depot burned May 4, 1917. The current depot was then constructed and operated as a depot until the fifties.
- Historic Summerville Train Depot & Turntable – The Historic Summerville Depot is located in the heart of downtown next to Dowdy Park. Featured in the HBO film “Warm Springs,” and “Ma Ma Flora’s Family,” the depot delivers historic Southern charm and is available year-round for outdoor viewing.
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Dining car lunch or boxed lunches are available for coach seating.
Dining car lunch: Baked turkey and Swiss cheese croissant with all the fixings, cole slaw, potato chips, and fruit cocktail. Beverages include iced tea or lemonade. A tasty dessert selection is included.
Boxed lunch: Turkey sandwich with chips, cookie, and a bottle of water.