Quick Details
We have resumed service on
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.
Coach:
Coach With Meal:
Includes lunch in the dining car
Pullman Compartment:
Includes breakfast and lunch in the dining car
Pullman Section:
Includes breakfast and lunch in the dining car
Premium Observation:
Includes breakfast and lunch in the dining car
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:
Coal: 6-8 Tons
Water: 13-15,000 Gallons
Track Speed:
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.
Children under 2 years ride free if not occupying a seat. Fares are slightly higher during the peak Autumn season. All trains run rain or shine and ticket sales are final.
Prices begin at $70 per ticket (Adjustable Window Car or Coach without meal)
Autumn Leaf Special:
Prices begin at $79 per ticket (Adjustable Window Car or Coach without meal)
Things to Do in Summerville GA during the layover
Food & Drink (First Class tickets eat on board the train)
Attractions
Our dining car luncheon option is available for all ticket classes. Passengers in the open window car may add lunch to their ticket during the checkout process for an additional $20 per person.
Lunch is similar to the following menu: Baked turkey and Swiss cheese croissant with all the fixings, cole slaw, potato chips, and fruit cocktail. Beverages include iced tea or lemonade. The tasty dessert selection is usually chocolate fudge cake.
Pullman and Observation tickets include both breakfast and lunch in the dining car.
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.
Ride a vintage short-line train! Our most frequent service trips — the “Local” — begin at our Grand Junction Station and travel to East Chattanooga for a layover to view a turntable demonstration and tour of our restoration shop.