****TENTATIVE SCHEDULE****
****SUBJECT TO CHANGE****
The Convention Committee has been hard at work getting everything lined up for the 2026 National Convention, but some things are not yet finalized or are subject to change. The following is a rough, tentative schedule of events as they are set at this time. Please check back often for updates.
Sunday, July 26th:
- Layout Open Houses in surrounding cities from all directions on the way to Chattanooga (Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, Northern Georgia, Birmingham, and Huntsville). Tours will be self-driving, and layouts will be open during the daytime.
- Possible afternoon steam excursion in Nashville pulled by NC&StL 576 (not part of convention).
- 7″ gauge Eagle Point RR will have afternoon op session near Dayton TN (not part of the convention).
- Operating sessions in Chattanooga. Sessions will be held in the evening.
Monday, July 27th:
- Convention Check-in opens.
- Layout Open Houses in the Chattanooga area. These are self-driving.
- Clinics start after lunch.
- Operating sessions in Chattanooga. Sessions will be held in the evening.
- Possible Industry Tours.
- Non-Rail Events.
Tuesday, July 28th:
- Layout Open Houses in the Chattanooga area. These are self-driving.
- Clinics all day.
- Morning and afternoon operating sessions on three layouts onsite. Open to convention attendees.
- Possible Industry Tours.
- Non-Rail Events.
- Dinner train at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM).
- Several Operating sessions in Chattanooga. Sessions will be held in the evening.
Wednesday, July 29th:
- Layout Open Houses in the Chattanooga area. These are self-driving.
- Clinics all day.
- TVRM steam Missionary Ridge Local pulled by Southern 4501 and Backshop tour.
- Morning and afternoon operating sessions on three layouts onsite. Open to convention attendees.
- Non-Rail events.
- Dinner train at the TVRM.
- Night photo session of TVRM steam at the museum.
- Several Operating sessions in Chattanooga. Sessions will be held in the evening.
Thursday, July 30th:
- TVRM All-day steam special to Summerville GA pulled by TVRM Southern 4501.
- Layout Open Houses in the Chattanooga area. These are self-driving.
- Clinics all day.
- Morning and afternoon operating sessions on three layouts onsite. Open to convention attendees.
- Non-Rail events.
- Possible Industry Tours.
- Several Operating sessions in Chattanooga. Sessions will be held in the evening.
Friday, July 31st:
- TVRM all-day Hiwassee Turn through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Layout Open Houses in the Chattanooga area. These are self-driving.
- Clinics all day.
- 7″ gauge Eagle Point RR will have afternoon operating session near Dayton TN (not part of the convention).
- Morning and afternoon operating sessions on three layouts onsite. Open to convention attendees.
- Non-Rail events.
- Possible Industry Tours.
- Several Operating sessions in Chattanooga. Sessions will be held in the evening.
Saturday, August 1st:
- NATIONAL TRAIN SHOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC all day in the Chattanooga Convention Center. Show open to convention attendees prior to the public opening.
- Layout Open Houses in the Chattanooga area. These are self-driving.
- Clinics all day.
- Morning and afternoon operating sessions on three layouts onsite. Open to convention attendees.
Sunday, August 2nd:
- NATIONAL TRAIN SHOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC all day at the Chattanooga Convention Center
- Chattanooga 2026 T-TRAK Awards Breakfast Buffet.
- Layout Open Houses in the Chattanooga area. These are self-driving.
- Layout Open Houses in surrounding cities from all directions on the way home (Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, Northern Georgia, Birmingham, and Huntsville). Tours will be self-driving, and layouts will be open during the daytime.
In addition, the TVRM will run their normally scheduled Missionary Ridge Locals on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday as well as their normally scheduled Summerville Turn on Saturday 8/1 and their normally scheduled Hiwassee Turn on Sunday 8/2 (all available to the public).
