Smoke & Cinders

In this bustling quarter, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’ blog has kept its readers on their toes. Here’s a concise recap of what we delved into: TVA Donation: We kicked off with an in-depth look at the generous donation by TVA, shedding light on its historical and contemporary significance for rail enthusiasts and Tennessee’s rail…

Nostalgia on Rails: A Glimpse into TVRM’s Festive Past A special thanks to John for sharing a piece of the past that binds us all together, even as we move ahead at diverging speeds. As 2020 draws to a close, it’s a moment to look back, reminisce, and appreciate the history that brought us here….

Navigating 2020: Challenges, Changes, and Resilience at TVRM To our valued members, annual pass holders, and steadfast supporters, Reflecting on the journey from the close of 2019 to the end of 2020, it’s undeniable that the Coronavirus Pandemic has cast a long shadow. However, amidst the challenges, TVRM’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and…

Spring 2019: A Season of Acquisitions and Preservation at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) made several notable additions to its rolling stock collection in the spring of 2019, including historic locomotives and dining cars. Key acquisitions include the Southern Dining Car 3307, obtained from Amtrak, the Louisville and Nashville…

The Evolution of the Southern Railway Historical Association’s Archive: From Shaky Beginnings to a Steady Home The Southern Railway Historical Association (SRHA) was established in 1986 at the previous Southern Railway’s Spencer Shops, presently known as The North Carolina Transportation Museum. From the onset, both individuals and Norfolk Southern identified the SRHA as an organization…

Doubleheading at TVRM If there’s anything more exciting than a train powered by a steam locomotive, it’s a train powered by two steam locomotives. Some of our most popular excursions include TVRM’s Summerville Steam Specials, when Southern 630 and 4501 are on the point. While these trips provide a lot of sensory stimulation, a more…

E8 Locomotive Restoration Journey: From Artifact to Resilience | TVRM Blog Series Part 2 It All Started with A Birthday Party Second of two part series In this thrilling second installment of a two-part series, Robert Frye takes us through the remarkable journey of reviving an E8 locomotive from the brink of extinction. This painstaking…

A Birthday Party That Ignited A Passion For Trains: A Journey with Robert Frye It all started innocently with a birthday party on a sunny day at Grand Junction. As my wife, April, and I arrived at the tvrail.com platform, the air was filled with the energetic tunes of a Swing band. It was there…

A Memorable Year of Progress: Hiwassee District of Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in 2018 In 2018, the Hiwassee District of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) marked a significant year of achievements and progress. The year was distinguished by setting an attendance record with over 18,000 passengers, launching a new ride option for schools, introducing…

TVRM Joins the Elite League of Southern Highlands Attractions The Southern Highlands Attractions (SHA) is a prestigious group of travel attractions that dot the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. Home to some of the finest tourist destinations, the group boasts of members such as the Biltmore Estate, Shenandoah Caverns, The Blowing Rock, Rock City,…