Additional Valentine Dinner Trains added!
February 2, 2012
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Due to demand, a second departure of Valentine Special Dinner Trains has just been added on the evenings of February 11 & 14, departing at 8:00 for a two-hour excursion featuring a dining experience from days gone by.
Missionary Ridge Local trains are running on Saturdays in February! This week, the schedule expands with departures at 10:40, 12:05, 1:15, 2:25 & 3:35.
Here is a quick update from TVRM's Soule Shops ~ Restoration continues on Southern Railway 2-8-2 #4501, currently focusing on the firebox. This is a major undertaking as most of the firebox is being replaced. The following photos were taken last week giving an idea of the breadth of ongoing work.
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Day Out With Thomas tickets now on sale for April 28, 29 and May 5, 6 & 12!
January 19, 2012
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Get your tickets now for the popular "Day Out With Thomas" event! This year will feature a total of three consecutive Saturdays and two Sundays; April 28 & 29 and May 5, 6 & 12. Don't miss out on seeing Thomas the Tank Engine!
Missionary Ridge Local trains are running on Saturdays in January & February! January departures are 10:40 & 12:05, while in February they expand to 10:40, 12:05, 1:15, 2:25 & 3:35.
Valentine Dinner Trains are planned for the evenings of February 10, 11, 12 & 14, departing at 5:30 for a two-hour excursion featuring a four course meal. Tickets are limited.
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"Countdown to Christmas" at TVRM!
December 15, 2011
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Tonight the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum begins an eight-night "marathon' of North Pole Limited holiday runs through December 22. Many dates/times have been sold out for months, but tickets are still available for some trains, especially the 9:15pm departures. See ticketing options HERE --- ignore the "CCC" listings as these are for exclusive use by the Chattanooga Choo Choo and their overnight "North Pole Limited Adventure" packages. Select from the trips shown before it is too late!
Christmas Dinner Trains have been sold out, but new for 2011 is a New Year's Eve Dinner train on December 31! See information HERE. This is a unique way to have a nostalgic dinner before attending a New Year's celebration! All aboard...for 2012!
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Norfolk Southern announces 21st Century Steam trip on November 14
November 4, 2011
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Today, Norfolk Southern announced a 21st Century Steam excursion on Monday, November 14, from Knoxville to Chattanooga. See more information HERE
See more info about 21st Century Steam HERE
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Autumn Offerings Galore at TVRM!
October 19, 2011
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- Halloween Eerie Express trips continue on Friday & Saturday evenings for the next two weekends. This is a very unique event designed for the entire family. It is NOT a haunted house, but rather a Fun House! See HEE information HERE
Here are some photos from last weekend --- We had fun! Come join us this weekend!
- Although most Summerville Steam Special excursion tickets have been sold out for October, an additional trip has been added for Sunday, November 6. Get your tickets while they last! See SSS information HERE
- Beginning on Friday, October 21, Hiwassee River Rail Adventure trips out of Etowah, TN will be running DAILY through Sunday, October 30. This is an excellent time to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Hiwassee River Gorge and Cherokee National Forest! See HRRA information HERE
- Last but not least, Missionary Ridge Local trains are running DAILY (Tuesdays through Sundays) until October 30. (Trains run Fri-Sat-Sun in November.) We have been using our 1929-built NC&StL caboose #41 on most days. It is hard to beat a ride in the cupola! See MRL information HERE
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50th Anniversary Video (shown at Railfest Banquet on Sept 1)
September 21, 2011
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Norfolk Southern posts 21st Century Steam Video featuring TVRM
September 16, 2011
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See more info about 21st Century Steam here and here
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Tennessee Valley Railfest ~ Event Report
September 3-5, 2011
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There were a ton of train rides at Railfest, including Missionary Ridge Local, Tunnel Turn, and 21st Century Steam mainline trips on Norfolk Southern...the first of their kind! Also displays, exhibits, entertainment, and more. Although the heat index peaked around the 100-degree mark on Saturday, attendees enjoyed their time at Railfest. The 50th Anniversary "cake" from Chattanooga Bakery (Moon Pie) was cut at 7pm and "King of Newgrass" Sam Bush hit the stage shortly after 7:30...and that was Day #1. Day #2 was not quite as hot so festival-goers seemed to stick around longer. The entertainment was great and, as expected, there were more train rides! Now, Day #3: What can we say? There was an unwanted guest and his name was Lee...Tropical Storm Lee to be exact. Basically, Chattanooga received over a foot of rain on Labor Day. However, all Railfest trains ran as scheduled and the entertainment was moved toward the depot or onto trains. The Georgia Diesel Special even encountered a fallen tree resulting in a delay waiting for the chainsaw crew. It wasn't the ending we were hoping for, but then again most of TVRM's 50 years have had their obstacles so we were up to the challenge. To everyone who attended Railfest: THANKS. For those who didn't, come see us soon!
Day #1 Photos:
NCTM'S FP7 #6133 pulls a Missionary Ridge Local. SR #630 rolls down the NS mainline from Jersey.
'Locomotive lineup' with the B&K Railroad Express. Gramling #126 blasts out of Grand Junction.
50th Anniversary Moon Pie is ready to be cut. Sam Bush rocks the crowd with Newgrass Bluegrass.
See even more photos from Saturday HERE.
Day #2 Photos:
#630 & #126 prepare for a steamy day of operation. SR #630 passes CT Tower on the NS mainline.
NCTM #6133 pulls up Grand Junction Wye. Lou Wamp & Swing Shift play as an NS freight rolls by.
21st Century ~Mainline~ Steam! Rolling through Spell. Trailing cinders...and a TVRM 50th Anniversary drumhead.
See even more photos from Sunday HERE.
Day #3 Photos:
#6133 is ready to lead into Georgia...through the rain. Gramling #126 is all steamed up and ready to go.
#630 with the "Local" passes GJ Yard Board. #630 and #126 keep company with NS GP38-3 #5826.
#126 is ready to depart with another "Tunnel Turn." Final train of Railfest: #630 deadheads to E. Chattanooga.
See even more photos from Monday HERE.
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Railfest Preparations and Night Photo Session
September 2, 2011
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Railfest is rolling now! Get ready for the first full day of Tennessee Valley Railfest on Saturday, Sept 3 with train rides, entertainment, displays, exhibits, and more! Our 50th Anniversary "Birthday Cake" will be cut at 7pm, compliments of Chattanooga Bakery and their world famous Moon Pie. The headline entertainer, Sam Bush, will tune up at 7:30pm. All Aboard!
As far as today was concerned, it was full-tilt work getting things ready for visitors. Including preparing locomotives for use, and completing the line up of display diesels by adding Norfolk Southern #4271! Get your tickets online for Railfest this weekend (will call pickup for tickets), park at Eastgate or Northgate and ride the free Gray Line shuttle to TVRM and buy your tickets onsite. The first buses depart the Malls at 8:30 and run approx. every 30 minutes through 10pm on Saturday (after the Sam Bush concert) and Sunday (after the movie), and 7pm on Monday.
Quite a colorful and impressive line of locomotives for you to inspect!
The Gramlings get "little" #126 ready for Tunnel Turn service.
Photographers jockey for position to get the "perfect shot."
Read a story about Railfest as published in Chattanooga Times Free Press here.
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TVRM 50th Anniversary Banquet Kicks Off Railfest
September 1, 2011
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Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's 50th Anniversary celebration called RAILFEST kicked off with a special banquet at the Chattanooga Choo Choo on September 1. Over 250 members, supporters, sponsors, and guests attended the function. The featured speaker was Norfolk Southern Chairman, President, and CEO Charles "Wick" Moorman. Everyone enjoyed the dinner, presentations, and Mr. Moorman's talk.
Norfolk Southern's Wick Moorman
Crowd of over 250 attended 50th Anniversary Banquet.
TVRM President Tim Andrews recounts 50 years of TVRM.
Meanwhile, back at TVRM locomotives are being lined up for display at Railfest beginning on Saturday morning.
The World's Largest Moon Pie has been produced for Railfest. You can get a piece of the "cake" on Saturday at 7pm!
Read a cover story about Railfest as published in Pulse Magazine here.
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TVRM is Counting Down to Railfest - Attractions Added; Handout Posted
August 30, 2011
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As the countdown continues to Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's 50th Anniversary celebration called RAILFEST, even more visiting locomotives have been added as attractions. See the list here. Order tickets by clicking on Buy Tickets, then "Buy Tix" to open up a drop down menu with all the ticketing options.
Want to know more about Railfest? Download the upcoming Chattanooga Times Free Press newspaper insert.
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Norfolk Southern announces 21st Century Steam trips during Railfest
August 19, 2011
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Today, Norfolk Southern announced the first 21st Century Steam trips which will take place over Labor Day weekend during TVRM's 50th Anniversary celebration, Railfest. See the announcement here.
See Railfest information here and 21st Century Steam trip information here. Order tickets under the Railfest section by selecting Sept 3 or 4 for the mainline trips.
Norfolk Southern also released the Lawmen's video for Rollin' Out Again. The Lawmen will be performing at Railfest on Labor Day, Sept 5. Don't delay - get your Railfest tickets now...because "Old Steam Trains Are Rollin' Out Again"!
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More RAILFEST Ticket Options Added
August 18, 2011
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More attractions and excursions have been added to RAILFEST. Tickets are now available individually for the Thursday evening banquet, Friday evening night photo session, and Georgia Diesel Special trip on Monday.
See Railfest information here
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Plans are heating up for Railfest!
Join us! September 3, 4 & 5, 2011
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See Railfest information here
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New TVRM website launched!
June 6, 2011
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Papercut Interactive of Chattanooga has built and launched a new website for the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Please bear with us as a "learning curve" is followed to modify and maintain the site. We will continue to improve and add features as new services are added.
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Over 15,000 visitors enjoyed Day Out With Thomas!
May 13. 14, 15, 21 & 22, 2011
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All aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine™ chugged into the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum for the Day Out With Thomas™: Leader of the Track Tour 2011. Thomas fans came spend the day with their favorite No. 1 engine. For over 65 years, children have been captivated by the courageous adventures of Thomas and his engine friends. During its 16th consecutive year, Day Out With Thomas will make stops in more than 45 cities in the United States and Canada and is expected to welcome more than one million passengers in 2011.
In addition to getting to ride their favorite train, children were also be able to participate in the following activities:
- Storytelling
- Thomas the Train videos
- Wooden train tables
- Make your own Engineer Cap
- Bouncy house
- Mini Golf
- Petting Zoo
There was also an assortment of live entertainment including:
- "Children's Singer Song Rocker" shows by Mr. Billy (and band)
- Magic show by Jaden Maxwell
- Sir Topham Hatt appearances
We're already planning for the 2012 event. Mark your calendars for next spring!
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National Train Day a Huge Success
Monday, May 9, 2011
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On Saturday, May 7, Norfolk Southern and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum teamed up to celebrate National Train Day. Nearly 1000 rail fans attended the festivities. See a special report on the event here.
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TVRM Attends Local ‘Water for Elephants’ Premiere
Monday, April 25, 2011
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Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum attended the Chattanooga premiere for the movie "Water For Elephants" on Friday evening. TVRM played an important role in the filming last August, contributing scenery along our Missionary Ridge Local route, plus historic rail cars and operating steam locomotive #610. TVRM's professional staff and volunteers were able to provide an excellent working relationship with the film crew allowing a successful, efficient project which wrapped the entire movie's filming. Although a majority of the railroad scenes were filmed in Fillmore, California, the ones shot at TVRM were key scenes in the movie. The movie premiere was quite a spectacle downtown at Carmike Cinema's Majestic Theater; complete with an outdoor street circus, red carpet welcome, and VIP reception.
For more information on this event, visit our In the News and In the Movies pages.
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Volkswagon Dedicates Rail Yard
Satruday, April 9, 2011
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Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum participated in the dedication of Chattanooga's Volkswagen Rail Yard on Wednesday, April 6. The Chattanooga Plant will be producing the all new 2012 Passat beginning in a few months and approximately 85% of the vehicles will be shipped via rail to destinations around the country. The event was covered by local media including the Chattanooga Times Free Press and chattanoogan.com along with additional photos. Many other outlets released stories including Railway Age. Below are some highlight photos depicting movement of TVRM's train to and from the VW plant via Norfolk Southern, and the part it played in the successful Golden Spike ceremony.
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Restoration Crew Unveils Southern #630
Satruday, April 9, 2011
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Southern #630 will be entering regular service on weekend Missionary Ridge Local trains this Saturday. It ran for some special filming yesterday without any problems. This was the first time the locomotive had pulled MRL trains in revenue service since November 1989. This is a beautiful locomotive and we're thrilled to have her back in service. Kudos to the shop crew!
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