Southern Steam Engine

The term “Local” refers to shorter trains that were once a lifeline to small towns along the railroad. Our most frequent service - daily in season! Tickets: bit.ly/3nMrlGe
Watch Live: bit.ly/3jR5QkY, Learn more: bit.ly/3iOP58V
The mission of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) is to collect for preservation, operation, interpretation, and display railroad artifacts in an authentic setting to educate the public concerning the role of railroads in the history and development of our region.
How you can help:
Ride with us: bit.ly/3nMrlGe
Donate: bit.ly/3jSpCwz
Membership: bit.ly/2GTZuTo
Annual Pass: bit.ly/3jTBpe6
Share our story with others
The term “Local” refers to shorter trains that were once a lifeline to small towns along the railroad. Local trains featured frequent stops and services that included mail delivery, shipping of local produce, meat, and dairy products, and for some children even their daily ride to school!
Imagine as you stand on the platform as the train arrives... the train rolls to a stop with the ground rumbling beneath your feet, you feel a mounting sense of anticipation. The conductor calls the long awaited signal: “Board!” Excitement builds as passengers scurry to their seats, looking forward to a relaxing trip aboard the train, on to their next destination. This was a regular occurrence 100 years ago… and it still is today on the Missionary Ridge Local!
Missionary Ridge Local trips begin at the Grand Junction depot and take passengers along one of the original railroad lines into Chattanooga, crossing bridges and diving through the Missionary Ridge Tunnel before arriving at the other side of our museum, East Chattanooga.
Your 55 minute experience on the Missionary Ridge Local includes:
A 6 mile roundtrip ride
A tour guide who will discuss local history and railroad operations
Crossing of the Chickamauga Creek bridge
Pass through our pre-Civil War tunnel, completed in 1858
A demonstration of our turntable, turning the locomotive around for the return trip
A brief tour of our restoration facility
Time breakdown
15 minute trip to East Chattanooga Depot - 3 miles
25 minutes for turntable demonstration
15 minute return trip to Grand Junction - 3 miles
Our most frequent service - daily in season!