Cleveland, TN Excursions Highlight Tennessee Valley Railfest

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum will feature roundtrip rail excursions from Grand Junction Depot in Chattanooga to Cleveland, TN during its annual Tennessee Valley Railfest, September 1 & 2. These special trips will be hosted by Norfolk Southern as part of the 21st Century Steam program designed to bring steam locomotives from TVRM in Chattanooga to areas throughout Norfolk Southern’s operating divisions for public excursions, employee appreciation trips, and other appearances system-wide.

The trips operating during Railfest are offered for only the second time in the history of TVRM. Some of the first historic steam excursions operated by the fledgling organization, which was founded in 1961, operated from Chattanooga to Cleveland in October of 1965. For Railfest 2012, two excursions are scheduled each day on Saturday & Sunday at 10 am & 2 pm and are a wonderful way to experience the scenic beauty of Southeast Tennessee by rail. These unique excursions are just $45.00 per person and include daily admission to Railfest.

Railfest activities include, live music and magical entertainment, Missionary Ridge Local train rides, blacksmithing demonstrations, petting zoo, arts & crafts, children’s activities, and an antique car display. Live entertainment includes Dana Rogers performing folk music and The Lone Mountain Band playing bluegrass on Saturday, September 1. Sunday's Jazz performances are going to be with the Smooth Flight Jazz Mix in the morning and the Mason Dixieland Line in the afternoon. Both days will feature magical wonders from Jaden Maxwell on the Depot Stage in the morning.

Special overnight packages are available at the Chattanooga Choo Choo and can be reserved online at choochoo.com. Tickets and schedule information for Railfest can be found online at tvrail.com or by calling 423/894-8028.

Free parking is available at TVRM located at 4119 Cromwell Road off Jersey Pike. Event hours are 9 am to 6 pm both days. Railfest is sponsored by The Chattanooga Times-Free Press, Coca-Cola, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Sunny FM and WUUQ Classic Country. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is a non-profit educational corporation whose mission is to preserve the history of railroading for future generations.