Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a living history museum dedicated to preserving, restoring, and operating historic railroad equipment on an authentic urban rail corridor that helped shape the development of the American South. Founded in 1961 by a passionate group of Chattanooga-area rail preservationists, the museum has grown into one of the most respected heritage railroad organizations in the southeastern United States. Visitors can ride vintage trains through the historic Missionary Ridge Tunnel — a genuine 19th-century railroad tunnel in continuous use since the Civil War era — on the museum’s signature Missionary Ridge Local excursion. The museum’s extensive equipment collection includes steam locomotives, vintage diesel power, and a remarkable array of passenger and freight cars restored to operating condition. From the Chattanooga Grand Junction campus, excursions also depart for multi-hour journeys to Chickamauga Battlefield and other historic destinations. From the museum’s Etowah, Tennessee division, the spectacular Hiwassee Loop excursion takes passengers on a half-day journey through the dramatic Hiwassee Gorge and over a corkscrew mountain route around Bald Mountain near Farner, offering some of the most breathtaking railroad scenery in the eastern United States. Dinner trains, special event rides, and holiday excursions complement a full year-round schedule.