What a way to celebrate the 4th! The train ride was absolutely awesome, with a fun and knowledgeable staff. The train cars are super cool, and if you are going to take a ride (I highly suggest that you do), make sure to get an Observation car. We were lucky enough to ride in the Canadian Pacific Observation car. The views are absolutely gorgeous! I will be booking another trip in fall to see the color change, which I am already excited for. I cannot recommend a trip on the train enough!
Took the family to the museum last weekend and we took a ride to the roundhouse. Being from out of town we barely made it on time. The ticket lady held the train for us and everyone was so nice. We really appreciated the understanding as our phone and Google maps lost service on the way back to the depot. The ride was really enjoyable and my kids loved it. The tunnel was fun and watching them turn the engine around was interesting to say the least. The tour of the shop was informative as well. All the equipment in the yard provides numerous photo opportunities. It's a short ride but at a good price. We got the family pack and saved a few bucks. The depot has food and a gift shop. We grabbed a couple of t-shirts and stuff for the kids. You can't come to Chattanooga and not ride a train. We had a great time and would highly recommend a visit to Tennessee Valley Railroad.
KKe FoJun 2026 · Google
★★★★★Man did we have a blast!!!! I will say, as we pulled in from the highway i thought we were in the wrong place. Seemed like there was ZERO chance a train would be in the field area. Nope, it was right there and we watched it pull in .
Effortless boarding process, clear directions on how to get to our car, where everything was, then sit back and enjoy. We went on June 13th, so it was pretty warm OUTSIDE. The coach had AC blowing solid inside so very comfortable. Be sure to walk the length of the train and explore, the domes, sleeping, meeting areas it was a trip thru time. If you are LUCKY, you will meet LouAnn that will take good care of you, but the entire staff was super. The operators (up front with the locos) are only too happy to tell you about the goodies, and all of the people working in the cars have a great knowledge base that they are eager to share. There is also a narrator that keeps you posted to look left, look right, in 10 seconds you will see...... made the trip a snap. Copper hill was a fun stop too to stretch the legs and walk off some of the snack box the railway had provided us.
We had some friends that did not review trips, and took the one from Chatt that only ran about an hour or two, too short to enjoy the scenery.
Make a booking then ALLLLLLL ABORD!!!! you will have a fun time
Great date day with my honey. We enjoyed today's adventure with the 6 hour train ride. I liked the history provided while enjoying the view. I just wish it was more mountain side and water views. The cost was not too bad for the box lunch.
This was a GREAT experience! We got to ride the tracks while hearing about the history of the rails along with some humor! We stopped at the roundtable and they told us a lot about it along with a little tour of the locomotive shop! We later got back on the train and it was a scenic smooth ride all the way back. -jason was a very kind staff member along with the conductor and engineer! I recommend this place, 5 stars!
I went to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum on 4th of July to check out the cool locomotives there. I got to hop on their Steam Summer Special and got to ride on a 9 hour round trip with a Steam Locomotive. It was 4501 that pulled us. It was a great trip. It took me back to a place in time that felt like the 1920s-1930s all over again. A true bygone era. The train was hauling a 9 passenger car train. It was only steam powered as well which was really cool. We were hanging on the sides of the car right behind the locomotive where we had coal ashes land on us which was really cool. It was an experience I might never do again. Hopefully I will return someday. The staff were very friendly people who really show effort and passion into their jobs at the TVRM. They even helped me book a ticket the day before and were very helpful with information. I highly recommend checking out this Railroad Museum. The train even stops and they let you hop off for a bit to grab food. Also you can get up close to the engine and take many pictures. And halfway back to the depot, they let you get off the train and they do a "Runby" where they drive the train through the area to let you get a nice video or picture of the train chugging through. It's a really great experience of railroad history. I want to thank the friendly, helpful, and committed workers of the TVRM. I also hope the museum stays operational with their locomotives for a long time.
We are a train loving family but short on time, so we did the Missionary Ridge train ride, about an hour's excursion, in vintage cars, pulled by vintage engine. Narration throughout the ride. Really cool going through tunnel built in 1857, then watching the engine being turned on the turntable and viewing the shop where the engines are repaired and maintained.
After our train ride, we walked through their very informative railroad museum. It's small but well laid out with some interactive exhibits.
There is a gift shop and snack shop in the terminal. Free parking.
Loved this experience! Two adults and two kids. Not crowded. Although it was a short train ride to and from, it was pretty and fun. We will pay more in the future to experience a longer trip. The turn table demonstration was awesome. Watched them unhook the engine and drive to the turn table.