Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum: Georgia Trips in Chickamauga area, Georgia

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Chickamauga area, Georgia · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesGeorgia excursions run on select dates, April to November, from Chattanooga

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum carries passengers from Chattanooga across the Georgia line on the old Central of Georgia route, running a full-day steam excursion to downtown Summerville and shorter trips to Chickamauga in restored vintage cars.

  • Steam excursions to Summerville, Georgia
  • Former Central of Georgia route
  • About nine hours round trip
  • Dining car and first class options
  • Boards in Chattanooga, Tennessee
  • Museum founded in 1961

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum: Georgia Trips at a glance

Hours
Select dates, April to November; Steam Special runs about 9 am to 6 pm
Admission
Summerville Steam Special from $90 coach to $215 first class (higher in fall)
Train rides
Summerville Steam Special (about 9 hours) and Chickamauga Turn, from Chattanooga
Seasonal events
Summerville Steam Special, Chickamauga Turn
Plan for
Full day for Summerville
Best for
Rail fans and families with older kids
Best ages
Ages 6 and up for the full-day trip
Parking
Free on-site parking at Grand Junction Depot, about a 3-minute walk
Accessibility
Transport from the parking lot to the depot can be arranged; leave a booking note

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum: Georgia Trips? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Chickamauga area.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Bringing passenger trains back to the old Central of Georgia line

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum began in 1961 in Chattanooga and grew into one of the Southeast's leading operating railroad museums, built on the idea that historic trains are best understood by riding them. Its home base is Grand Junction Depot on Cromwell Road, but in recent seasons it has pushed its excursions south across the state line into Northwest Georgia.

The Georgia trips follow portions of the former Central of Georgia Railway, a corridor that once carried passengers and freight across the South. The southern end of the line has deep roots: after the Civil War, Summerville was served by the Chattanooga, Rome and Columbus Railroad, which was later merged into the growing Central of Georgia system. Old Central of Georgia timetables show trains averaging about 23 miles per hour between Chattanooga and Rome, stops included.

Today the museum runs two main Georgia excursions. The Chickamauga Turn crosses into Georgia to Chickamauga, with live narration as the train passes farmland and forest. The Summerville Steam Special is the big day out: a steam locomotive pulls vintage cars through five communities to downtown Summerville, where Dowdy Park serves as the turnaround. Part of the route runs on museum track and part on Genesee and Wyoming trackage, at a gentle 15 to 20 miles per hour.

The museum's own collection carries Georgia history too. Its oldest piece, Central of Georgia No. 349, is a Baldwin 4-4-0 built in 1891 for the Savannah and Western, and it is one of the reasons these Georgia trips feel like a homecoming for the route.

A full day on the Summerville Steam Special

The day starts at 8:30 am at Grand Junction Depot in Chattanooga for parking and check-in, with a 9 am departure behind a steam locomotive. Riders choose reserved coach seats, coach with breakfast or lunch in the dining car, or first class in the Golden Sand, which includes both meals. Groups of up to eight can book Office Car 21, a private car. Along the way you hear the locomotive working hard, a fun detail when you learn it uses roughly 13,000 to 15,000 gallons of water on the trip.

Around 1 pm the train reaches downtown Summerville for a one-hour layover, time to stretch, eat and look around the town. A dessert service comes to the dining car near 5 pm on the way home, and the train returns to Chattanooga at about 6 pm. Back at the depot, the museum's exhibit hall, model railroad and outdoor equipment are worth a look before or after your trip.

Don’t miss

  1. The Summerville layoverOne hour in downtown Summerville, at the far end of the old Chattanooga, Rome and Columbus route.
  2. Golden Sand first classThe premium car on the Steam Special, with breakfast and lunch included.
  3. Office Car 21A private railcar that seats up to eight, booked for families or special occasions.
  4. The Chickamauga TurnA shorter crossing into Georgia on the former Central of Georgia line, with live narration.
  5. Central of Georgia No. 349The museum's oldest piece, an 1891 Baldwin 4-4-0 that served the Central of Georgia for decades.

Best for patient young travelers

Kids of every age can ride, and tickets are required from age 2. The Summerville Steam Special is a nine-hour day, so it suits school-age children who enjoy a long train trip, a dining car and a stop in a new town. Pack activities, and consider the Tea To-Go Box or dining car meals to break up the ride.

Families with toddlers may prefer the shorter Chickamauga Turn or a visit to the museum's Chattanooga exhibits. The walk from parking to Grand Junction Depot is about three minutes, and staff can arrange transport for anyone who has trouble with distance or hills if you leave a note when booking.

Plan your visit: tips for Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum: Georgia Trips

  • Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early; check-in for the Steam Special starts at 8:30 am.
  • Meals come only with dining car and premium tickets; add-on tea boxes and desserts are $18.
  • Weekend and holiday trains can sell out, so book online early.
  • Your exhibit admission at the Chattanooga museum is included with a train ticket.

A nonprofit museum in motion

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum describes itself as a museum in motion: ticket sales from every excursion fund its preservation, restoration and education work. Its crews keep steam locomotives in service through annual inspections and boiler work. You can support the Georgia trips by riding, becoming a member, volunteering or donating through the museum.

The museum at home and the town at the end of the line

Every Georgia trip begins at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, where the exhibit hall and shorter rides fill the rest of a visit. At the southern end of the run, the Historic Summerville Depot is worth a look during the layover. For more, see Georgia's railroad museums and rides.

Every train museum in Georgia

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

A nine-hour steam trip to Summerville and back needs a good crew, and it makes me think of the kindest character in our book. When Rally arrives at the station, Mr. Conductor, dressed in blue, reaches out a hand to welcome him aboard. My mom always pictured a conductor like that, patient and gentle with a small traveler. You can read about her on our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum: Georgia Trips?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

TVRM's Georgia trains: 20 questions riders ask

Where do the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's Georgia trains depart?

The Georgia excursions leave from Grand Junction Depot at 4119 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421, then cross the state line into Northwest Georgia. Check your confirmation email for the exact station, since the museum also runs trains from Delano, Tennessee. Free on-site parking is available at Grand Junction.

What is the Summerville Steam Special?

It is the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's full-day steam excursion from Chattanooga to downtown Summerville, Georgia. The train pulls vintage cars through five communities, stops for a one-hour layover in Summerville, and returns to Chattanooga. The round trip takes about nine hours, from 9 am to 6 pm.

How much does the Summerville Steam Special cost?

As of October 2026, coach seats without a meal start at $90 ($95 for fall dates), coach with breakfast or lunch is $120 ($125 fall), breakfast and lunch is $150, and Golden Sand first class is $215 ($220 fall). Exact fares depend on the date you pick on tvrail.com.

When does the Summerville Steam Special run?

As of October 2026, the Steam Special runs on select dates between April and November, with the 2026 season listed from May 9 to November 8. Not every weekend has a trip, so choose a date on the calendar at tvrail.com or call (423) 894-8028 to check availability.

How long is the Summerville Steam Special?

Plan on a full day. Check-in starts at 8:30 am, the train departs at 9 am, reaches Summerville around 1:05 pm for a one-hour layover, and returns to Grand Junction Depot at about 6 pm. That is roughly nine hours, so bring layers and something to do for younger riders.

What is the Chickamauga Turn?

The Chickamauga Turn is a Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum excursion from Grand Junction Depot across the state line to Chickamauga, Georgia. It follows parts of the former Central of Georgia Railway through farmland and forest, with live narration on board. Check tvrail.com for current dates and fares.

What route do TVRM's Georgia trains follow?

They run over portions of the former Central of Georgia Railway corridor south of Chattanooga. The Summerville line was first served after the Civil War by the Chattanooga, Rome and Columbus Railroad, which later merged into the Central of Georgia. Part of today's route is museum track and part is Genesee and Wyoming track.

How fast does the Summerville Steam Special go?

The train runs about 20 miles per hour on Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum track and 15 miles per hour on Genesee and Wyoming track. That slow pace is close to the past, since old Central of Georgia timetables show about 23 miles per hour between Chattanooga and Rome, including stops.

Are meals served on the Summerville Steam Special?

Yes, with the right ticket. Dining car tickets include breakfast, lunch or both, and Golden Sand first class includes breakfast and lunch. Coach riders without a meal can add a Tea To-Go Box for $18, and an $18 dessert service with coffee is served in the dining car near 5 pm.

Can you book a private car to Summerville?

Yes. Office Car 21 is a private railcar that seats up to eight guests for exclusive use on the Steam Special. As of October 2026, it starts at $2,200, or $2,400 on fall dates. It suits family celebrations or small groups; book through tvrail.com or call (423) 894-8028.

Are TVRM's Georgia trains good for kids?

Children are welcome, and tickets are required from age 2. The nine-hour Summerville trip works best for school-age kids who can handle a long day; bring snacks, books and games. Families with toddlers may prefer the shorter Chickamauga Turn or a shorter ride in Chattanooga.

What can you do during the Summerville layover?

You have about an hour in downtown Summerville, Georgia, from around 1:05 to 2:05 pm. Dowdy Park downtown is the southern end of the run, and the Historic Summerville Depot is close by. It is a good time to stretch your legs, grab a bite and take photos of the steam locomotive.

Is parking free for the Georgia excursions?

Yes. Free on-site parking is available at Grand Junction Depot in Chattanooga, about a three-minute walk from the platform. If anyone in your party has trouble walking distances or small hills, leave a note when booking and the museum can arrange transport to the depot.

How early should I arrive for the Summerville Steam Special?

The museum asks riders to arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure. For the Steam Special, that means arriving around 8:30 am at Grand Junction Depot for parking, check-in and boarding before the 9 am departure. Late arrivals risk missing the train.

When was the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum founded?

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum began in 1961 in Chattanooga. Its exhibit TVRM: The First Sixty Years tells how founders and early volunteers grew it into one of the Southeast's leading operating railroad museums. The Georgia excursions are a more recent extension of that work.

Does TVRM have Central of Georgia equipment?

Yes. Its oldest piece is Central of Georgia No. 349, a 4-4-0 American type built by Baldwin in 1891. It was first delivered to the Savannah and Western Railway as No. 557, became Central of Georgia No. 1587 in 1894, No. 1581 in 1912 and finally No. 349 in 1926.

Can I see the museum exhibits on the same day as a Georgia trip?

Yes. Train tickets include exhibit access at the Chattanooga museum, which has an indoor exhibit hall with locomotives and railcars, an interactive model railroad, Military Railway Service exhibits and Pullman history displays. As of October 2026, exhibit-only admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children 2 to 12.

Can groups book the Georgia excursions?

Yes. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum handles group bookings, private events and school trips through its contact form, where you can choose a topic such as Group Events and Private Rides. Include your preferred dates and number of guests, or call (423) 894-8028 during office hours, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm.

How do I contact the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum about Georgia trips?

Call (423) 894-8028, email info@tvrail.com, or use the contact form at tvrail.com. The office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm, and most messages get a reply in one to two business days. For same-day questions, phone the office.

How can I support the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum?

Riding is the most direct support, since ticket revenue funds preservation, restoration and education. The museum also offers memberships, volunteer opportunities and donations through its website, and it runs a gift shop at its Chattanooga depot.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Georgia
Next

Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler, Arizona