Announcing plans for the TVRM's 50th anniversary are Jim Bambrey, general manager of the Chattanooga Choo Choo;
Tim Andrews, president of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and
Bob Doak, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
photo by Wes Schultz
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum on Wednesday announced the plans for celebrating its 50th anniversary as the southeast's largest operating historical railroad museum.
Tim Andrews, president, said, "I have been a volunteer with the railroad museum for almost 35 years and it is amazing the growth we have experienced in our organization over that period, all made possible through the commitment from the dedicated members, volunteers, staff and partnerships that we have. I am excited about our 50th anniversary year plans and I am looking forward to the prospect of the next 50 years as we continue to keep railroading alive for our visitors, in Chattanooga. From our very beginning TVRM was always envisioned as a place where a visitor could not just view, but experience railroading, and its history in the Tennessee Valley."
The celebration includes:
Tennessee Valley Railfest
Over Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2-5 the railroad will be hosting a four-day festival for families and railfans of all ages. The festival will feature interactive displays, unique rail equipment never before seen in Chattanooga, a working hobo camp with storytellers, live stage entertainment, food and a featured Saturday evening concert with bluegrass great Sam Bush on Sept. 3. The festival will also have a Friday evening photography opportunity featuring the 630 steam locomotive and a celebratory luncheon and dinner events featuring guest speaker Wick Moorman, CEO of Norfolk Southern. The Tennessee Valley Railfest is being planned with the assistance of Chattanooga Presents!, the group responsible for downtown's Nightfall series and is sponsored by Norfolk Southern, Chattanooga Times Free Press, WDEF Sunny-FM & the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel.
Rebirth of the 630
The railroad museum announced the completion of the project to restore the 630 steam locomotive which was proudly displayed at the press announcement upon its $600,000 and 11 year project to bring it back to operating condition. The 630 was built in 1904 for Southern Railway and was last operational in 1989. It will be used for many excursions at TVRM during 2011.
New website design for tvrail.com
In partnership with Chattanooga-based digital agency Papercut Interactive, TVRM will have a brand new design for their website in June. Tvrail.com will feature interactive online ticketing, advanced excursion searching, social media connections and more. "We have been working hard on the new website and are anxious to launch it so we can make it easier to service our growing customer demand 24/7/365," said Steve Freer, TVRM marketing coordinator.
Hiwassee River Rail Adventure
In partnership with the Tennessee Overhill Region, TVRM is running scenic excursions out of Etowah, Tennessee on select dates through Nov. 26 to the Bald Mountain Loop or to Copperhill, Tn., which features a layover for lunch.
"It really is a wonderful attraction and museum that everyone in Chattanooga should visit when they have an opportunity", said Bob Doak, president of the Chattanooga Area CVB. "They are one of Chattanooga's best kept secrets and a truly memorable experience," he added.
More information about Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's 50th Anniversary celebration or for tickets to any events and excursions can be found on tvrail.com.