Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum: Preserving Railway History and Creating Unforgettable Holiday Experiences

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, located in Chattanooga, celebrates this holiday season with unforgettable Christmas-themed experiences. The museum, rooted in Chattanooga’s rich railroad heritage since 1850, transforms into a magical holiday destination. Visitors can enjoy festive train rides, seasonal decorations, and heartwarming memories with family and friends during this special time of year.

Originally serving as a rail hub dating back to 1850 with the Western and Atlantic Railroad, followed by the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railroad in 1858, Chattanooga’s strategic importance was amplified during the Civil War. This heritage even inspired the iconic song “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”

By the mid-20th century, railroads saw significant changes with the rise of interstates and airlines. In response, a dedicated group of local residents founded the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in 1961 to preserve and restore railway history. Today, the museum shines bright during the holiday season, offering visitors unique holiday-themed train rides and experiences, keeping railway traditions alive and festive.

During Christmas, the museum’s historic passenger trains journey through the decorated Missionary Ridge Tunnel—a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From seasonal storytelling to Santa’s visits on select rides, the holiday experience captures the joy and wonder of rail travel during this magical time.

What to Expect at the Chattanooga Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum This Christmas

The Chattanooga Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers a wide range of holiday-themed exhibits and activities that cater to visitors of all ages. Here are some festive things to enjoy:

Holiday Train Rides: Join us for our special Christmas excursions, including magical train rides with Santa Claus and scenic holiday tours.

• Missionary Ridge Local Christmas Trips - Celebrate the holidays with a 65-minute journey on the Missionary Ridge Local. Departing from Grand Junction Station, the ride takes passengers over four bridges and through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel, beautifully decorated for the season. Guests will be treated to festive music, holiday stories, and more. Tickets
• Christmas Daylight Express - Delight in the Christmas spirit as Santa Claus makes his way through the train to meet passengers. Enjoy candy canes, Christmas stories, and holiday magic during this special one-hour ride. Tickets
• North Pole Limited - The ultimate holiday train ride for families! This evening excursion takes guests on a magical journey to visit Santa's workshop, featuring Christmas carols, hot cocoa, cookies, and plenty of holiday cheer. Tickets
• Holiday Tea in the Depot - Enjoy a special holiday tea experience in the beautifully decorated upstairs viewing room of Grand Junction Depot. This festive event includes a selection of seasonal teas, freshly baked scones, and a holiday-themed ride on the Missionary Ridge Local. Tickets

Exhibits: The museum has an impressive collection of historic railway cars, locomotives, and other artifacts decorated for the holiday season.

• Christmas Exhibit Building - Experience our holiday exhibit featuring "TVRM’s Christmas Traditions," special train models, and festive displays. The exhibits will showcase the history of Christmas on the rails and the role trains have played in spreading holiday cheer throughout history. Tickets

Museum Store: The museum store offers holiday-themed souvenirs, ornaments, train sets, and unique gifts to make your Christmas extra special.

Special Holiday Events: Join us for Christmas-themed events, including crafts for children, holiday light displays, and a visit from Santa Claus.

Plan Your Christmas Visit to the Chattanooga Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

If you're planning a holiday visit, here's what to know:

• Hours: Special holiday hours are available; check the website for event-specific timing.

• Admission: Prices vary for holiday-themed train rides and events. Visit the website for details.

• Directions and Parking: Located at 4119 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Ample parking available.

About Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum:

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is a railway museum located in Chattanooga and Delano, Tennessee. It was established in 1961 to preserve and operate historic railway equipment for the education and enjoyment of future generations. The museum features a variety of vintage trains and railcars, including steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars. Visitors can experience the history of rail travel through excursions, exhibits, and hands-on activities. The museum operates on a historic rail line, offering scenic rides through the Hiwassee Loop and providing a unique perspective on the region's history and culture. With its rich heritage, educational programs, and engaging events, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is a must-visit destination for railway enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Customer Reviews:

Hubs and I did the Missionary Ridge Train ride during a quick stop in Chattanooga for the holidays. The train was more for him than me, but we both had a phenomenal time! Not only are all the employees helpful and kind, they experience is incredibly informative and interesting. I suggest if there are only 2 people in your party to ride in the cab of the train. We rode with the engineer who drives and it took our experience to the next level. Joe the engineer told us a plethora of extra info about the trim, TVRM, and you get to ride in the lead train car while it turns around at the turn around spot. So cool! Also, check out the exhibit they have in the depot area. Loads of info and cool things to check out! Emily N - Google Review

A great stop for train enthusiasts. Nicely restored locomotives and passenger cars. The missionary ridge train ride is pleasant and informative. Susan M - Google Review

We took the Missionary Risge train ride today and loved it. The entire way to East Ridge the conductor gives a narrated tour of the history of the trains we are on as well as the area. This is followed by a narrated demonstration of the turn table which rotates the train for the ride back. It was fun, informative, and scenic. Will be recommending to friends and family when they visit. Pat O - Google Review

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Additional Questions:

You can reach us through email at info@tvrail.com, by phone at 423-894-8028, or by clicking on the chat button located in the lower right corner of our website at https://www.tvrail.com.

Did you know that when you purchase a ticket with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, you are helping to preserve the history of railroads?

As a non-profit organization, it takes a lot of resources to restore and maintain our vintage trains and equipment. In fact, it can cost up to $1.5 million to completely rebuild a steam engine, which must be done every 15 years or sooner. Your support helps us to continue to share this important piece of history with the community. So not only are you enjoying a unique and memorable experience, you are also contributing to the preservation of railroad history.