Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is located in a region with a rich history. Here you will find file resources so that you can enjoy the many articles that have featured our region’s history. Click the Learn More links below to access the files.
THE EAST TENNESSEE (THE CRITICAL LINK)
In the 1830s, the frontier that was East Tennessee needed improved transportation to reach seaports and commercial centers east of the Appalachians. The first step, in late-1831, was the chartering of the Lynchburg and New River Railroad, designed to link the James River and Kanawha Canal at Lynchburg, Va., with the Tennessee River at Knoxville.
CIVIL WAR ECHOES AT THE TENNESSEE
Over 50 years ago, in 1961, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) was founded by a group of Chattanooga-area railfans. Most of these guys were members of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, who were tired of driving over 200 miles round trip on pre-Interstate highways just to attend the monthly meetings. A couple of years after TVRM was formed, one of the founders, Paul Merriman, purchased steam locomotive No. 12 from the dieselizing Kentucky & Tennessee Railroad of Stearns.
EAST TENNESSEE & GEORGIA RAILROAD AND THE CIVIL WAR
The year 2013 marks one of the sesquicentennial anniversaries of the Civil War. Mark Brainard, a keen Civil War historian (and re-enactment participant), is also a volunteer at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga. TVRM owns and operates three miles of former Southern Railway right-of-way that, it turns out for Civil War aficionados, is hallowed ground.
Exploring the Legacy of SD9 Locomotive #205
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum continues its mission of preserving rail history with the exciting addition of SD9 locomotive #205. This powerful machine, built in 1955 by EMD, carries decades of history, having served various railroads before finding its forever home at TVRM. Let’s dive into the fascinating legacy of this diesel workhorse and what’s…
February 10, 2025
Transforming Spaces: Eagle Scout Projects and Revitalization
When communities come together to support local initiatives, remarkable transformations happen. Recently, one of our cherished structures received a fresh coat of paint, thanks to the leadership and vision of Eagle Scout candidate Caden Gildernew from Boy Scouts of America Troop 2. This project exemplifies how dedication and teamwork can create a lasting impact. The…
February 4, 2025
Rediscovering the Splendor of B&O Office Car 98: A Journey Back in Time
Rediscovering the Splendor of B&O Office Car 98: A Journey Back in Time Step aboard the resplendent Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad Office Car No. 98 at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM), and you’ll feel as if you’ve been whisked away to a lavish era of executive rail travel. Built by Pullman in 1917…
January 31, 2025