Locomotive Restoration Updates

Support TVRM’s Journey Into 2023: A Call for Donations As the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) reflects on over six decades of preserving railway heritage, it’s clear that our journey has been one marked by perseverance and community support. Over 61 years, we’ve faced numerous challenges, but our achievements have consistently outshined our setbacks. This…

A Journey Fueled by Success Over our sixty-one years, TVRM has seen more than our share of challenges. Overall, our successes have outpaced our failures as evidenced by our rolling stock, staff, facilities and visitation. TVRM has weathered many of the recent storms with help from our freight business, returning passenger events, tight control of…

Salute to Service: Honoring Our Veterans on November 11 As the golden leaves of November pave the streets and the crisp air heralds the coming of winter, the eleventh day of this month holds a special significance that goes beyond the change of seasons. It’s the day we come together as a nation to pause,…

Tennessee Valley Railroad: Preserving Chattanooga’s Rail History With an enduring presence spanning over six decades at Chattanooga’s Terminal Station, from its early days with the Southern Railway to its iconic stint with the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, the Tennessee Valley Railroad’s (TVRM) legacy remains deeply intertwined with the city’s rich railroading past. As times change and the…

Historic Office Cars and Locomotives: Restoration and Inspection Updates Restoration work is an ongoing commitment at our railroad museum. We’re excited to share updates on two of our historic office cars: Southern Railway No. 21 and Baltimore & Ohio No. 98. The dedication to preserving these pieces of rail history is evident in the meticulous…

Celebrating 153 Years of the Golden Spike: Thomas and 4501 Unite at TVRM Today, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) is buzzing with excitement as we commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the “Golden Spike” – a monumental event in railway history. Join us in this unique celebration where Thomas the Tank Engine and the legendary…

Remembering Jim Wrinn: A Pillar of the Railroad Community Yesterday marked a somber day for the railroad community as we said our goodbyes to Jim Wrinn, a beacon of support, talent, and friendship. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) deeply feels this loss. Jim wasn’t just an editor, writer, or photographer; he was an advocate…

Soule Shops Update: GP7 No. 1829 Back on Track! From the bustling grounds of Soule Shops, we bring you some behind-the-scenes news on one of our beloved locomotives, GP7 No. 1829. As with all vintage machinery, maintaining these historic trains is akin to nurturing a living piece of history. Recently, our diligent crew noticed an…

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) is excited to announce the acquisition of two EMD F7 locomotives, numbers 576 and 578, from the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey. This acquisition not only adds to our rich collection but also ensures the preservation of two valuable pieces of railway history. A Journey from Mississippi…

Doug Karhan: A Steward of Steam’s Legacy The world of steam locomotion and railway heritage has recently bid farewell to one of its unsung heroes. Doug Karhan, a venerated master mechanic of steam for Norfolk Southern from 1982 until the end of excursions in 1994, passed away on November 11, 2021. His legacy is a…