Tennessee Valley Railroad: Heritage Train Rides in Chattanooga and the Hiwassee Gorge

About

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has spent more than six decades preserving and running full-size historic trains, and it remains one of the most rewarding day trips for rail lovers and families visiting East Tennessee. Its trains are pulled by vintage diesel locomotives, most built around 1950, with special steam-powered excursions on select dates.

Trips leave from two places, so check your ticket before you set out. In Chattanooga, trains board at Grand Junction Station on Cromwell Road. The Missionary Ridge Local is the classic introduction: about 65 minutes aboard vintage coaches, through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel, with a turntable demonstration and a look inside the active restoration shop. Longer journeys run to Chickamauga and Summerville, Georgia, and the station hosts dinner trains, afternoon tea in the depot and holiday trains in season.

The second boarding point is Delano, about an hour and 45 minutes from Chattanooga by car. From here the Hiwassee Loop follows the Hiwassee River Gorge for 50 scenic miles round trip, crossing the rare spiral loop near Farner where the track climbs and passes over itself. The full-day Copperhill Special continues to Copperhill, Tennessee and McCaysville, Georgia, with time to explore. Popular trips, especially in autumn, sell out well in advance.

Photo: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

Did You Know

• On the Hiwassee Loop the track climbs in a spiral and crosses over itself near Farner, a rare spiral loop (Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum).
• Most of the museum's locomotives are vintage diesels built around 1950 (Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum).
• The Missionary Ridge Local passes through a tunnel that predates the Civil War (Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum).
• Because the Hiwassee train does not turn around, passengers are asked to swap sides at the midway point so everyone shares the same views (Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum).