The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) will be offering an excursion trip to Chickamauga and the War Between The States Day on Saturday, Sept. 16.
The train departs from Grand Junction Station at 10 a.m. and returns around 5 p.m. This trip includes a three-hour layover in the historic Civil War town to enjoy many activities throughout the day at the annual community celebration.
Motive power is scheduled to be a combination of steam engine #610 and a diesel-electric locomotive for the return trip. A commissary car will be available on board the train for food and gift purchases throughout the day.
Special period entertainment will be provided on board the train by the "Bushmill Boyz" bluegrass band featuring TVRM member Richard Driver. Several well-known historians will be riding along to relay information about several notable Civil War incidents. Harper Harris, who is considered to be one of the foremost experts on the Andrews Raid (Great Locomotive Chase), will be on hand as well as Lois Varnell, a knowledgeable interpreter of events surrounding the Battle of Chickamauga.
As the trip approaches Chickamauga, a Confederate cavalry unit will gallop along side and force the train to stop. Soldiers will climb aboard and search for military deserters. Guy Musgrove, and other members of the Civil War Calvary Critter Company from Georgia will present this reenactment.
Upon arrival in Chickamauga, many "main street" shops will be open including the 1890-built limestone depot which is now a regional history museum. Among the attractions planned for the day include an antique tractor and car show, live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts, and more. In addition to all of these activities, Civil War living history re-enactors will be providing demonstrations in the Crawfish Springs area of Chickamauga just down the tracks from the depot and around the Gordon Lee Mansion in town. The Mullis-Heartland Refugees reenactment group will be explaining how families felt about being forced out of their homes during the Battle of Chickamauga.
Some activities will be held at the Lee & Gordon Mill property as well as Coke Oven Park with courtesy shuttle buses running between points.
Information and advanced tickets, $32 each, can be tracked down about the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at www.tvrail.com or by calling the TVRM office during weekday business hours at (423) 894-8028 (extension zero.)