Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum in Jonesborough, Tennessee

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Jonesborough, Tennessee · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Rail preservation groupTrain ridesChuckey Depot Museum hours not posted; call ahead

The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum is a volunteer nonprofit in Jonesborough that restores vintage passenger cars to running condition, sponsors public train excursions and operates the Chuckey Depot Museum in a 1906 Southern Railway depot it helped move and restore.

  • Chuckey Depot Museum, built 1906
  • Restored Clinchfield 100 business car
  • Vintage cars kept mainline ready
  • Several public excursions a year
  • Live depot webcam online
  • Work sessions Tuesday and Saturday

Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum at a glance

Hours
Chuckey Depot Museum hours not posted online; call (423) 753-5797
Admission
Not posted online
Train rides
Society-sponsored excursions several times a year; trips sell out, so sign up for notices
Seasonal events
Autumn Train Excursion, December Christmas fellowship (members)
Best for
Rail fans, history lovers and families who want to ride an excursion

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum? 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 Jonesborough.

Page 1 of 8

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

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

Volunteers who keep vintage passenger cars ready to roll

The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum is a nonprofit historical and educational organization, incorporated in Tennessee with 501(c)(3) status. Railfan sites describe it as a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Its members, who come from many backgrounds and occupations, share one goal they put plainly: to make sure the sound of a steam whistle echoes through the mountains of the region again.

The group's best known work happens at its coach yard in Jonesborough. Its mechanical staff, all dedicated members, have restored two vintage coaches, a vintage dining car, a vintage lounge car and Clinchfield 100, which served as the General Manager's car for the Clinchfield Railroad. The society says it keeps six vintage cars in operating condition and ready for lease, and railfan guides note that its refurbished, Amtrak-compatible cars are leased for excursion and charter service around the country. The cars are well respected in railroad preservation circles, a credit to the volunteers who turn wrenches every Tuesday and Saturday.

Closer to home, the society worked with the Town of Jonesborough and the Heritage Alliance to move, restore and establish the Chuckey Depot Museum, a former Southern Railway depot built in 1906 in Chuckey, Tennessee. The depot is now open to the public and serves as the society's meeting place, where members gather on the fourth Monday of most months for programs, films and guest speakers.

The Chuckey Depot, the coach yard and the trains going by

The Chuckey Depot Museum at 110 South 2nd Street in Jonesborough displays the society's railroad-related collections inside a historic Southern Railway depot, and members host visitors there to share their enthusiasm for railroading. The society's website streams a live webcam of the depot with views east and west, and it links to live radio broadcasts of Norfolk Southern and CSX railroad traffic in East Tennessee, so you can listen for trains before you go.

Rail fans also come to see the society's restored passenger cars at the coach yard in Jonesborough, where volunteers work every Tuesday and Saturday. Around town you may spot the group's Whistle Truck, which members take to parades and events. The society does not post museum hours or admission prices online, so call (423) 753-5797 before planning a visit.

Don’t miss

  1. Chuckey Depot MuseumA 1906 former Southern Railway depot moved to Jonesborough and restored by the society with the town and the Heritage Alliance.
  2. Clinchfield 100The General Manager's car of the Clinchfield Railroad, restored by the society's mechanical staff.
  3. The vintage dining and lounge carsRestored alongside two coaches and kept in operating condition so they can be leased for excursions.
  4. The live depot webcamWatch the tracks at the Chuckey Depot from home, and tune in to live Norfolk Southern and CSX radio on the society's site.
  5. The Whistle TruckThe society's parade vehicle, a familiar sight at local events.

Depot visits, trains on the webcam and family excursions

Kids can start at home with the society's live depot webcam and railroad radio feeds, then visit the Chuckey Depot Museum to see the real building. The society's public excursions, usually several a year to scenic railroads and on mainline trips, are the best way for families to ride behind the group. The 2026 fall trip on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad sold out, and ticket holders also got free admission to the Smoky Mountain Lionel Train Museum, with its operating layout and children's activity center.

Plan your visit: tips for Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum

  • Sign up on the excursions page for notices; the September 2026 trip sold out.
  • Call ahead to confirm the Chuckey Depot Museum is open.
  • Check the live webcam on the society's website before you visit.
  • Volunteers are welcome at the coach yard on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The society usually sponsors several excursions a year, including trips to scenic railroads and mainline outings. On September 26, 2026 it hosted an Autumn Train Excursion on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad from Bryson City, North Carolina, to the Nantahala Gorge and back, following the former Southern Railway Murphy Branch and crossing the Fontana Lake trestle. The trip sold out, so sign up on the society's excursions page to hear about the next one.

How to join the Watauga Valley crew

The society is run entirely by members. Membership brings the monthly Whistle Stop newsletter, monthly meetings with railroad programs and speakers, the chance to work on authentic passenger cars, rides on the Whistle Truck in parades, volunteer roles on excursions, hosting shifts at the Chuckey Depot and members-only trips to rail facilities. Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at the depot (the third Monday in May, and a Christmas fellowship in December).

Rail history around Jonesborough

The Johnson City Railroad Experience is only about 7 miles away and pairs well with a depot stop. The Historic Bristol Train Station is about 26 miles northeast, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, the society's 2026 excursion destination, is about 79 miles away. See more Tennessee train museums.

Every train museum in Tennessee

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

These volunteers restored a vintage lounge car, and I can picture its big windows and a dog like Rally pressing his nose right up to the glass. In our book he looks out an arched window at the ocean and says hello to a white bird. On the society's mountain excursions I imagine a little rider waving at rivers and trestles instead, with Mom and Dad close by. Our coloring pages let kids draw their own view.

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 Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum?

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.

Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society: 20 questions answered

What is the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum?

It is a nonprofit historical and educational organization in Jonesborough, Tennessee, with 501(c)(3) status. The society restores vintage passenger and freight equipment, operates the Chuckey Depot Museum in Jonesborough and sponsors train excursions for members and the public. Railfan sites describe it as a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.

Where is the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society's museum?

The society operates the Chuckey Depot Museum at 110 South 2nd Street, Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659, and its coach yard is also in Jonesborough. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 432, Jonesborough, TN 37605-0432. Jonesborough is about 7 miles from the Johnson City Railroad Experience, so the two make an easy pairing.

What is the Chuckey Depot Museum?

The Chuckey Depot Museum is housed in a 1906 former Southern Railway depot that originally stood in Chuckey, Tennessee. The society, the Town of Jonesborough and the Heritage Alliance partnered to move, restore and establish it as a museum, which is now open to the public and holds railroad-related collections.

What are the Chuckey Depot Museum hours?

The society does not post the Chuckey Depot Museum's hours online. Call (423) 753-5797 or email wataugavalley@gmail.com before you visit to confirm when members will be there to host visitors, especially if you are traveling from out of town.

Can I see the Watauga Valley coach yard?

The society's restored passenger cars are kept at its coach yard in Jonesborough, where volunteers hold work sessions every Tuesday and Saturday. The society welcomes volunteers there, but it does not post public tour times. Contact the society at (423) 753-5797 before going to the coach yard for photos or a look at the cars.

What passenger cars has the Watauga Valley society restored?

The society's mechanical staff have restored two vintage coaches, a vintage dining car, a vintage lounge car and Clinchfield 100, the General Manager's car of the Clinchfield Railroad. The society says it keeps six vintage cars in operating condition and ready for lease, while one railfan guide describes a four-car fleet.

What is Clinchfield 100?

Clinchfield 100 is a historic railroad car that served as the General Manager's car for the Clinchfield Railroad. The Watauga Valley society's mechanical staff restored it, and it is part of the group's fleet of vintage cars kept in operating condition.

Are the Watauga Valley cars used on real trains?

Yes. The society keeps its vintage cars ready for lease, and railfan guides say its refurbished, mainline-ready, Amtrak-compatible cars are regularly leased for excursion and charter passenger service around the country. The society says its cars are well respected in the preservation community.

Does the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society run train excursions?

Yes. The society usually sponsors several excursions a year, including trips to scenic railroads and mainline excursions, plus carpool tours for members. Its September 26, 2026 fall trip on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad sold out, so sign up for notices on the society's excursions page.

What was the Watauga Valley 2026 fall excursion?

On September 26, 2026, the society sponsored a fall ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad from Bryson City, North Carolina, to the Nantahala Gorge and back. The route follows the former Southern Railway Murphy Branch, built in 1891, and crosses Fontana Lake on a 780-foot trestle. Tickets sold out.

How do I join the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society?

Contact the society through the form on its website, by email at wataugavalley@gmail.com or by phone at (423) 753-5797. Members receive the monthly Whistle Stop newsletter, attend monthly meetings, can work on vintage passenger cars and can volunteer on excursions and at the Chuckey Depot. Dues are not posted online, so ask when you get in touch.

When does the Watauga Valley society meet?

Membership meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month at the Chuckey Depot Museum in Jonesborough, with railroad programs, films or special speakers. The May meeting moves to the third Monday because of Memorial Day, and the December meeting is a Christmas fellowship instead of a regular meeting.

Can I volunteer with the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society?

Yes. Volunteers are welcome at the coach yard, where work sessions on the cars run every Tuesday and Saturday, and at the Chuckey Depot, where members host visitors. Members can also volunteer on society-sponsored excursions. Call (423) 753-5797 to get started.

What is the Whistle Stop newsletter?

The Whistle Stop is the society's monthly newsletter, with twelve issues a year. It includes photos, historical archives, railroad news, upcoming events and first-hand reports of current local rail activity. It comes with membership in the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum.

Is there a live webcam at the Chuckey Depot?

Yes. The society's website streams a live webcam of the historic Chuckey Depot in Jonesborough, with east and west views. The site also links to live radio broadcasts of Norfolk Southern and CSX railroad traffic in East Tennessee, which is fun for kids and rail fans to follow.

Is the Chuckey Depot Museum good for kids?

It can be a nice short stop for children who love trains, especially if they have watched the depot on the society's live webcam first. The museum does not describe hands-on exhibits online, so families looking for a ride should watch for the society's public excursions.

Can I rent the Watauga Valley cars or depot?

The society's contact page invites questions about rental information along with excursions and meeting times, and its vintage cars are kept ready for lease to excursion and charter operators. Use the form on wataugavalleynrhs.org, email wataugavalley@gmail.com or call (423) 753-5797 to ask about availability and terms.

What is the Watauga Valley Whistle Truck?

The Whistle Truck is the society's vehicle for parades and community events in the Watauga Valley. Riding on it in parades is one of the perks of membership, and it is a fun way the group shares its love of railroading with the region.

Who owns the Chuckey Depot?

The depot museum was moved, restored and established through a partnership of the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum, the Town of Jonesborough and the Heritage Alliance. The society operates the museum and its members host visitors there. Ownership details are not spelled out publicly.

What train attractions are near Jonesborough, Tennessee?

The Johnson City Railroad Experience is about 7 miles from the society's area, the Historic Bristol Train Station is about 26 miles, and the Craggy Mountain Line and Tweetsie Railroad in North Carolina are each about 46 to 47 miles away. The Old Fort Railroad Museum is about 49 miles.

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Kelsey Cecil
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