Rail history

TVRM Gratefully Acknowledges John Emery Rail Heritage Trust Grant We are deeply appreciative to have been awarded a grant of $20,000 from the John Emery Rail Heritage Trust. Notably, half of this grant, amounting to $10,000, was received in mid-2022. This generous funding is instrumental in facilitating numerous enhancements to the dining car #899, known…

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…

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….

A Historic Return: TVRM Welcomes Office Car No. 21 After 42 Years The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) is a place where history comes alive, where every rail car has a story to tell, and where memories of a bygone era are preserved for future generations. This week, we are thrilled to announce the return…

Historic Office Car Returns to TVRM: A Journey from St. Louis to Chattanooga For those planning a road trip or simply commuting along Interstates 64, 57, or 24 between the vibrant city of St. Louis and the scenic Chattanooga this weekend, it’s essential to be vigilant. The forecast suggests potential inclement weather, which might make…

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 Taste of History: The Timeless Charm of TVRM’s Dining Car 3158 If you’ve ever relished a meal in the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s (TVRM) Dining Car 3158, you’ve experienced a piece of living history. For those who appreciate rail heritage, the recently unveiled photo of its sister car, 3160, as built in 1924, is…

Grady Ragan: 50 Years of Dedication to TVRM’s Historic Rail Legacy In the heart of railway history, there’s a name that echoes with dedication and craftsmanship: Grady Ragan. For over five decades, Grady has been an integral part of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM), contributing significantly to the preservation and restoration of historic rail…