Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
Excursions and Events
The 2026 NMRA National Convention has partnered with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum to provide convention attendees with a variety of extra-fare events during our weeklong convention. Those attendees who have preregistered for the convention will receive an email when tickets for TVRM train rides and other events become available. Emails will be sent in the order of registration, giving those who registered early first choice.
Tuesday: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road. Two private sessions for 50 attendees at 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Following a ride on the Missionary Ridge Local attendees will enjoy the Homefront Tea Room experience on the 2nd floor of the Grand Junction Station. This will be a full high tea complete with savory and sweet items, fresh baked scones, and a selection of delectable teas. Sit back and relax in a charming historical setting with views of the TVRM tracks and the Norfolk Southern main line.
Tuesday & Wednesday: Evening Dinner Train at TVRM for 136 attendees.
Enjoy a two-hour train ride in vintage dining cars or in a Pullman car. The train will depart at 6:30 PM from Grand Junction Station, 4119 Cromwell Road, and follow the route across Chickamauga Creek, through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel and onto the East Chattanooga Belt Railway. The train continues through East Chattanooga and past Warner Park and Chattanooga’s National Cemetery where you can catch a glimpse of the burial site of Andrew’s Raiders, famous for the Great Locomotive Chase of the Civil War.
Wednesday morning: Missionary Ridge Local private excursion for 150 attendees from 9:30 AM until 12:00 PM.
The Missionary Ridge Local will depart from Grand Junction Station, 4119 Cromwell Road, and follow the route across Chickamauga Creek, through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel to the TVRM shops in East Chattanooga. Our train will be pulled by the world famous 4501 steam locomotive. Attendees will be given a special backshop tour of TVRM’s Soule Repair Shop where impressive railroad shop machines are used to maintain steam locomotives, diesel engines and their collection of vintage passenger and dining cars. After the tour the 4501 will return attendees to Grand Junction Station.
Wednesday Evening: Night Photo Session for 100 attendees.
Two-hour Photo Session from 9:00 PM until 11:00 PM. 100 attendees will have the opportunity to photograph the 4501 under steam on the turntable and other equipment located in front of TVRM’s Soule Repair Shop. Attendees will ride convention buses to and from this event. Rain date: Thursday evening.
Thursday: ScaleTrains charter of the Summerville Steam Special.
The train will carry 325 passengers on a 100-mile round trip pulled by the 4501steam locomotive. The train will depart at 8:30 AM from Grand Junction Station, 4119 Cromwell Road, and follow the route across Chickamauga Creek, through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel and onto the East Chattanooga Belt Railway. The train travels through East Chattanooga onto the Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway tracks toward Summerville, GA. Once there, passengers will be served a barbecue lunch under a large tent and watch the 4501 steam locomotive being turned on the turntable before boarding for the return trip to Chattanooga and arriving at 6:00 PM.
Friday: Hiwassee River Rail Loop private excursion train for 217 attendees.
TVRM’s Hiwassee Loop train is a 4-hour excursion that departs from Delano, TN. Riders will enjoy outstanding scenic views of the Tennessee countryside, crossing the Hiwassee River, and passing through the Hiwassee Gorge on the way up to the famous Hiwassee Loop where you will see panoramic views going around the Loop. When booking the trip attendees will be able to select seating in the following passenger cars: coach, dome, lounge, or observation. All attendees will be required to ride a convention bus to and from this event.
You must register prior to purchasing or you will not be able to attend the events and tours.
To register Click Here
To purchase events and tour tickets, Click here.
Tea Room Experience (10:00 AM) Tuesday, July 28
Gathering Location: Convention Center – South Pre-function area.
Bus transportation is included with this ticket. Bus will load at 10 AM.
Following a ride on the Missionary Ridge Local attendees will enjoy the Homefront Tea Room experience delightful high-tea experience complete with elegant treats and beverages in a charming historical setting.
Tea Room Experience (2:30 PM) Tuesday, July 28
Gathering Location: Convention Center – South Pre-function area.
Bus transportation is included with this ticket. Bus will load at 2:30 PM.
Following a ride on the Missionary Ridge Local attendees will enjoy the Homefront Tea Room experience delightful high-tea experience complete with elegant treats and beverages in a charming historical setting.
Missionary Ridge Local (11:30 AM) Tuesday, July 28
Gathering Location: Convention Center – South Pre-function area.
Bus transportation is included with this ticket. Bus will load at 11:30 AM.
Guests who choose to add the train experience will board the Missionary Ridge Local for a narrated round-trip journey through Chattanooga’s active rail corridor. The Missionary Ridge local is 65 minutes long.
Missionary Ridge Local (1:00 PM) Tuesday, July 28
Bus transportation is included with this ticket. Bus will load at 1:00 PM.
Guests who choose to add the train experience will board the Missionary Ridge Local for a narrated round-trip journey through Chattanooga’s active rail corridor. The Missionary Ridge local is 65 minutes long.
Scenic City Dinner Train – Diner Car Experience (5:45 PM) Tuesday, July 28
Gathering Location: Convention Center – South Pre-function area.
Bus transportation is included with this ticket. Buses will begin loading at 5:45 PM.
Enjoy a four course dinner on a two-hour train ride in vintage dining cars.
Scenic City Dinner Train – Pullman Car Experience (5:45 PM) Tuesday, July 28
Gathering Location: Convention Center – South Pre-function area.
Bus transportation is included with this ticket. Buses will begin loading at 5:45 PM.
Enjoy a four course dinner on a two-hour train ride in vintage dining cars.
Scenic City Dinner Train – Diner Car Experience (5:45 PM) Wednesday, July 29
Gathering Location: Convention Center – South Pre-function area.
Bus transportation is included with this ticket. Buses will begin loading at 5:45 PM.
Enjoy a four course dinner on a two-hour train ride in vintage dining cars.
Scenic City Dinner Train – Pullman Car Experience (5:45 PM) Wednesday, July 29
Gathering Location: Convention Center – South Pre-function area.
Bus transportation is included with this ticket. Buses will begin loading at 5:45 PM.
Enjoy a four course dinner on a two-hour train ride in vintage dining cars.
Missionary Ridge & Extended Backshop Tour (8:30 AM) Wednesday, July 29
Gathering Location: Convention Center – South Pre-function area.
This includes bus transportation. The bus will load at 8:30.
The Missionary Ridge Local will depart from Grand Junction Station, and follow the route across Chickamauga Creek, through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel to the TVRM shops in East Chattanooga. Attendees will be given a special extended backshop tour of TVRM’s Soule Repair Shop.
Night Photo Shoot (8:15 PM) Wednesday, July 29
Gathering Location: Convention Center – South Pre-function area.
Bus transportation is included with this ticket. Buses will begin loading at 8:15 PM.
Two-hour Photo Session from 9:15 until 11:00 PM. Two groups of 50 attendees will have the opportunity to photograph the 4501 under steam on the turntable and other equipment located in front of TVRM’s Soule Repair Shop.
Rain date: Thursday evening.
Hiwassee Loop Excursion
TVRM’s Hiwassee Loop train is a 4-hour excursion that departs from Delano, TN. Riders will enjoy outstanding scenic views of the Tennessee countryside, crossing the Hiwassee River, and passing through the Hiwassee Gorge on the way up to the famous Hiwassee Loop where you will see panoramic views going around the Loop. Attendees will be required to ride a convention bus to and from this event.
Date: Friday, July 31.
Includes transportation from the convention center. Required for this tour.
