Southern #630 Ready to Depart - Railfest 2013 Railfest is the annual celebration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. This year as part of the celebration, they offered Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 as an excursion round trip to Cleveland, TN. . This locomotive was built in 1904 by the American Locomotive Company Richmond Works. It was restored to operation at TVRM in 2011 and is now part of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program. You can see quite a thorough collection of photos of #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with Southern FP7 #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/railfes... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: Just the steam train departure seen here: youtu.be/QVBCATNnTQI That, and more footage of the steam train: youtu.be/85iljPK1TfY All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
TVRM: Railway Post Office Car 40 Seen at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, but at the East Chattanooga mechanic yard. Here is the text of their marker: Many thousands of these RPO cars served the country until the early 1970's, at which time most were taken out of service, almost overnight. Each car carried a crew of 6 to 8 clerks, who sorted and cancelled mail enroute. Mail was delivered without stopping (by tossing the bag out the door), and was collected at speed by snatching the mailbag from a trackside "Mail crane." Each car was worth about 40 passenger fares to the railroad, so that in a sense the RPOs kept many small passenger trains running even though their patronage had long since faded. Thus, when the RPOs were withdrawn, manu train-off petitions followed as an "American Institution" rolled into the sunset.
Norfolk Southern Exhibit Car #NS27 This railroad car is brought to railfan events where Norfolk Southern has a corporate presence. It was seen at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's 2013 Railfest. Things on the Exhibit Car include models of each of NS Heritage Locomotives, an engineer simulator, and a photo booth.
VLIX (former Clinchfield) 852 This EMD F78 is now at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. Located at the East Tennessee rail yard, eventually there are plans on getting this locomotive restored.
Southern #630 and the Engineer - 2013 Railfest Railfest is the annual celebration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. This year as part of the celebration, they offered Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 as an excursion round trip to Cleveland, TN. This locomotive was built in 1904 by the American Locomotive Company Richmond Works. It was restored to operation at TVRM in 2011 and is now part of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program. You can see quite a thorough collection of photos of #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with Southern FP7 #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/railfes... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: Just the steam train departure seen here: youtu.be/QVBCATNnTQI That, and more footage of the steam train: youtu.be/85iljPK1TfY All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
Rotating Train Bridge - Nashville There are 14 bridges over the Cumberland River in Nashville. (Long-time Locals: Can you name them?) Of the 14, this one might be the one you are least familiar with. On the south side of the river, it is near the Ted Rhodes gold course and TSU. The north side is in Bordeaux. This is one of those train bridges that can rotate out of the way in case a tall boat is coming through, and if you look closely, it is open now. I can't find any info on this bridge, but I am guessing it is currently out of service if it is in the permanent open position. Close to the top center, you can see a control station, and a staircase that goes down the left side of it.
Future home of the Music City Star (seen in 2006) In a few months (hopefully) this will terminal be the destination for many aboard the Music City Star passenger train in Downtown Nashville. As you can tell, it is currently a work in progress. The Cumberland River is on the right. Riverfront Park is at the top. First Ave. and the Hard Rock Cafe are on the left. This picture is taken from the Shelby St. Bridge.
Southern #630 leaves the station Railfest is the annual celebration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. This year as part of the celebration, they offered Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 as an excursion round trip to Cleveland, TN. This locomotive was built in 1904 by the American Locomotive Company Richmond Works. It was restored to operation at TVRM in 2011 and is now part of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program. You can see quite a thorough collection of photos of #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with Southern FP7 #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/railfes... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: Just the steam train departure seen here: youtu.be/QVBCATNnTQI That, and more footage of the steam train: youtu.be/85iljPK1TfY All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
Normandy, TN - Population: 141 This cute little town is located on what used to be the major road of its day, the Dixie Highway (back in the 1930s). Now, I don't think any highway will get you there. I found this town one day while I was tracing the Dixie Highway in Bedford County.
Southern Locomotives: Old and Older Railfest is the annual celebration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. This year as part of the celebration, they offered Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 as an excursion round trip to Cleveland, TN. This locomotive was built in 1904 by the American Locomotive Company Richmond Works. It was restored to operation at TVRM in 2011 and is now part of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program. Also as part of the activities of the 2013 Railfest, Southern Railway's EMD FP7 #6133 made a visit. This Diesel locomotive built in 1950 was used to pull their excursion, the Missionary Ridge Local throughout the weekend. It is normally on display at the North Carolina Transportation Museum which offers this writeup: "Southern Railway #6133: The locomotive was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in 1950. This FP-7, operated by the Southern Railway, was the property of the CNO&TP (Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific). The FP designation meant the locomotive could be used for passenger or freight trains, using a 567-B 16 cylinder prime mover, generating 1500 horsepower. These were F-7 freight locomotives with a steam generator placed at the rear of the locomotive, increasing body length by four feet. FP-7 locomotives were used on small branch-line passenger trains throughout the Southern Railway System. By the late 1970s, there were very few FP-7s left on the roster due to Southern eliminating many passenger trains. The 5-8 left were used for excursion trains as part of the Steam Program begun in 1966. The 6133 was donated to the NCTHC in 1980, and restored by the volunteers to its original green/ imitation aluminum paint scheme. It is used to pull the train ride around the property when needed." I took more photos of #6133 than I have posted to flickr. You can also see quite a thorough collection of photos of the highlighted steam locomotive Southern #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery/index.php?album=chattanooga%2Frailfe... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
Vintage Incline Railway car I am not sure if this is kept for posterity, or if someone is working to restore it. I am not even sure how old it is. This used to be part of Lookout Mountain's Incline Railroad train car. This is now kept at the Tennessee Valley Railroad museum, at the "East Chattanooga" station with the other train cars that need repair.
NCStL #710 I didn't think I'd ever see an NCStL locomotive out in the wild, but I saw this EMD GP7 parked in a train yard outside of Copperhill, TN. I'd like to think I just happened to stumble across a vintage locomotive that just happened to be sitting around. Realistically, that kind of thing doesn't happen too often. As it turns out, this locomotive is used by the Tennessee Valley Railway Museum based out of Chattanooga. One of their excursions called the Hiwassee River Rail starts from Gee Creek near Etowah and occasionally goes all the way to Copperhill. During the years the GP7 was made, NCStL purchased 37 of them. Before acquired by TVRM, it spent several decades with Amtrak.
L&N #45 - Bruceton, TN This caboose is seen at Templeton Park in Bruceton, TN. The caboose has both NC&StL and L&N logos on them. NC&StL built a roundhouse in Bruceton which still survives. Today, CSX still uses the same rail line and operates a yard not less than a mile from here.
Waverly 1978 Disaster Site Memorial Museum On February 24, 1978 at 2:55 PM, two days after 24 cars of a Louisville & Nashville train wrecked on this site (The tracks are behind me across a street and behind a fence), workmen were cleaning up when 22,000 pounds of liquid propane fuel from a derailed tanker car ignited and caused a massive explosion. The blast and resulting fire destroyed a great part of Waverly's old town section that included homes and businesses. Sixteen people were killed in the disaster, including Waverly's police and fire chiefs. More than 200 people suffered injury, and damage was in the millions of dollars. Today at this nearby site is an L&N Caboose, which also functions as a museum. Even though I stopped by on a Saturday in January and nobody was around, the door was unlocked. If you happen to arrive when the door is locked, there is a sign in the window for who you can call to have the door unlocked.
Waverly 1978 Disaster Site Memorial Museum (typical brochure view) On February 24, 1978 at 2:55 PM, two days after 24 cars of a Louisville & Nashville train wrecked on this site (The tracks are behind me across a street and behind a fence), workmen were cleaning up when 22,000 pounds of liquid propane fuel from a derailed tanker car ignited and caused a massive explosion. The blast and resulting fire destroyed a great part of Waverly's old town section that included homes and businesses. Sixteen people were killed in the disaster, including Waverly's police and fire chiefs. More than 200 people suffered injury, and damage was in the millions of dollars. Today at this nearby site is an L&N Caboose, which also functions as a museum. Even though I stopped by on a Saturday in January and nobody was around, the door was unlocked. If you happen to arrive when the door is locked, there is a sign in the window for who you can call to have the door unlocked.
Nashville Train Bridge with Train This is the Really old rotating train bridge that crosses the Cumberland River in Downtown Nashville. I heard the train coming so I ran over here as fast as I could, and then after it finished, (and when no one was looking) I crawled up here. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: onegreatadventureblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/just-another-r...
Welcome to Historic Medina mural This mural features an Illinois Central Steam Locomotive. The mural is located along Medina's Main Street which is now TN152 but used to be US45E. Medina is in Gibson County. The mural was created by Les MacDiarmid who is known for his murals around Gibson county.
Newbern, TN IC Depot There are two Amtrak stops in Tennessee. One is in Memphis and the other is in the tiny West Tennessee town of Newbern. The brick passenger station was built by Illinois Central in 1920 as part of the "City of New Orleans" route. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Illinois Central passenger train service to the depot ceased in 1965. The building was then used for storage until 1990, when it was acquired by the city of Newbern. It was subsequently restored based on the original architectural drawings. The building now houses the Amtrak stop and a small museum of railroad history that exhibits old photos, railroad tools, uniforms, schedules, and other memorabilia, along with model trains and art work. The depot is a central feature of Newbern's "Depot Days" Festival, held annually in September.
Santa Fe 4245 (Now NWRR) This old Santa Fe GE B23-7 diesel locomotive is now owned by Nashville & Western Railroad (and previously Nashville & Eastern Railroad. NERR and NWRR are owned by the same people.) I originally say this train parked here from I-40 just west of downtown Nashville so on my next time in the area, I decided to get a closer look.
Caboose - Greenfield, TN Although repainted a solid red color, this caboose was originally from ICG (Illinois Central Gulf Railroad). Although I didn't see the sign, apparently this caboose was dedicated to a couple of teens killed in a car wreck. The caboose is seen along US45E at the center of the town in Weakley County.
Southern #630 rings the bell Railfest is the annual celebration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. This year as part of the celebration, they offered Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 as an excursion round trip to Cleveland, TN. This locomotive was built in 1904 by the American Locomotive Company Richmond Works. It was restored to operation at TVRM in 2011 and is now part of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program. You can see quite a thorough collection of photos of #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with Southern FP7 #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/railfes... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: Just the steam train departure seen here: youtu.be/QVBCATNnTQI That, and more footage of the steam train: youtu.be/85iljPK1TfY All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
100 Years of Illinois Central - Jackson, TN 1851-1951 Mainline of Mid-America. In 1951, IC placed one of these in every county they served. This one is located in front of the Madison County Courthouse in Jackson
Memphis: Dyersburg - Collierville, TN This vintage passenger train car is located in the middle of Collierville, TN at their Train Station museum.
L&N 136 at Red Caboose Park - Bellevue, TN The most popular park in Bellevue, TN (a suburb of Nashville) is Red Caboose Park where this L&N caboose is the central attraction. (However, I have been to this park so my nephews could play on the playground as well as listen to concerts at the bandshell. Back then, I don't think I even noticed the caboose.)
Frisco 1351 Steam Locomotive - Collierville, TN This historic locomotive is currently on display in Collierville at the old train station museum. In Memphis, there are plans to build a Railway and Trolley museum where this train will be restored and eventually be on display. This steam 2-8-2 locomotive was built in 1912 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York.
Model Train display inside the Jackson, TN Depot The model train curator shows some of the display to a kid that was visiting the museum.
Jackson, TN NCSTL Depot The brick building in Jackson was built in 1907 and is now open as a museum.
Three Rivers Rambler Caboose - Knoxville The Three Rivers Rambler is a heritage railroad that runs along the Tennessee River starting in downtown Knoxville. When not in use, the rolling stock is kept at Volunteer Landing. The caboose is named desire. Three Rivers Rambler is owned and operated by Gulf & Ohio, which is a holding company for a few short lines in the area.
Chickamauga Pine - NCStL Passenger car Seen at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga
Frisco 1351 Steam Locomotive - Collierville, TN This historic locomotive is currently on display in Collierville at the old train station museum. In Memphis, there are plans to build a Railway and Trolley museum where this train will be restored and eventualy be on display. This steam 2-8-2 locomotive was built in 1912 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York.
CSX Caboose - Bruceton, TN There can't be that many CSX cabooses out there, can there? This one was seen at the CSX yard in Bruceton. The old Bruceton roundhouse is seen in the background.
Carl Perkins Express - Tiptonville, TN About a decade ago, this vintage Illinois Central caboose was relocated next to the Carl Perkins Boyhood Home. At the time, the caboose functioned as the Tiptonville and Lake County Visitors Center, but more recently a new Center designed like a train station has opened up at the same location.
Andrew's Raiders Monument - Chattanooga Located in the Chattanooga National Cemetery is this 1890 monument to Andrew's Raiders from the Great Locomotive Chase in the Civil War. Atop the monument is a bronze scale model replica of the steam locomotive The General from the chase. Surrounding the monument, Medal of Honor recipients from the Union raid are buried here.
Steam Train Mailbox Located in Chattanooga, near the NS Debutts Yard (which is why the NS logo is on a steam train).
Home of Casey Jones - Jackson, TN According to the historic marker: This is the house where John Luther Jones was living, at the time of his death at the throttle of his engine, "Old 382," at Vaughn, Miss., April 30, 1900. A folk song has immortalized his name. For years, the home operated as a museum to Jones and railroad memorabilia. Originally, this home was located at 211 W. Chester St. and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1980, the home was unlisted as the home was relocated. When I look up that address on a map today, I see that the US70 / 45 Bypass is located, so I bet the house was moved to stay open as a museum and avoid demolition. When this home and museum was relocated around 1978, so was the Shaw General Store. The new tourist stop became Casey Jones Village and it is one of the top tourist stops in Tennessee today. Now, if you tour the railroad museum, you can still see the inside of the Casey Jones home.
Riverfront Railroad Tracks in Downtown Knoxville Today, these tracks are used by the Three Rivers Rambler excursion train. Boarding is just a few hundred feet from here and parking is in the lot across the street from this sidewalk where I'm taking this picture.
Southern Caboose - Collierville, TN Located near the Historic Colliersville Train Station along with other rolling stock.
Family Lines System Caboose 16636 OK, I'll admit that I'd never heard of Family Lines System until I saw this caboose in a CSX transflo terminal near the UT campus. For those of you who like me had never heard of Family Lines System, their faded logo on the left of the caboose points out they were a merger of five different lines (most notably Seaboard Coast Line and L&N). Eventually, it became easier to call themselves Seaboard System and soon thereafter merged with Chessie to become CSX.
Kingsport, TN Freight Depot The Historic Clinchfield Passenger Station is one of the highlighted buildings in town, but don't overlook its neighbor next door. Today the building serves as the local Chamber of Commerce
Doc. The L&N LeprechauN - Erin, TN This combines the two things Erin is known for, it's Irish Heritage and it's placement as a railroad stop on the line that used to run from Memphis to Clarksville. The city of Erin was initially inhabited by Irish laborers working to construct the railroad and the city has remembered its Irish heritage. When the railroad completely pulled out, the town decided to construct a park in the heart of town where the tracks used to be. This park is Betsy Ligon Park. Among the things you can see in the park are a blue L&N Boxcar and Red L&N Caboose (seen in the background) and a picnic pavilion made to look like a train depot. I think the highlight of the park is Doc the leprechaun. He's wearing an L&N Logo conductor cap, with rail worker overalls and gloves. He also has the leprechaun shoes and socks with a clover on his front.
Photo from the Hiwasee Loop rail line If you've never heard of the Hiwasee loop, it is a location where the tracks loop around a mountain and then crosses over itself to gain elevation in a short space. Here's more from Wikipedia: This route runs eastward along the Hiwassee River to Farner, TN, then south along the Tennessee side of the North Carolina state line, through Ducktown, then the twin towns of Copperhill, TN and McCaysville, GA, then through Epworth before meeting the existing line at Blue Ridge. In order to meet the construction deadline, engineers designed a double switchback, which required that railcars be brought up or down four at a time to and from the river elevation to make the turn out of or into the valley. Extremely inefficient and time-consuming, it was replaced by what is known as the Hiwassee Loop, taking trains nearly twice around Bald Mountain, with the train passing over its own tracks on a wooden trestle. This gave the route the "Hook and Eye Line" nickname, with the "hook" being another switchback in Georgia, and the eye being the loop. (Both were later bypassed before ceasing original operations.) This route was originally part of the Atlanta, Knoxville and Northern Railway. In 1902, they were bought out by Lousiville & Nashville for a complete route from Atlanta to Cincinnati via Knoxville. The route was eventually bypassed by the line that now serves CSX and runs through Etowah. Located seemingly in the middle of nowhere, this spot is virtually inaccessable by any means other than by train. Luckily you can get here by train! Since 2004 Tennessee Valley Railroad has operated the Hiwasee River Rail excursion train. Taking a photo from the train isn't quite the easiest thing to do, so this is the best I can offer until they offer a specialty train that lest us get off at this spot. Here, I am looking out the window as we head over the trestle.
Photo from the Hiwasee Loop rail line If you've never heard of the Hiwasee loop, it is a location where the tracks loop around a mountain and then crosses over itself to gain elevation in a short space. Here's more from Wikipedia: This route runs eastward along the Hiwassee River to Farner, TN, then south along the Tennessee side of the North Carolina state line, through Ducktown, then the twin towns of Copperhill, TN and McCaysville, GA, then through Epworth before meeting the existing line at Blue Ridge. In order to meet the construction deadline, engineers designed a double switchback, which required that railcars be brought up or down four at a time to and from the river elevation to make the turn out of or into the valley. Extremely inefficient and time-consuming, it was replaced by what is known as the Hiwassee Loop, taking trains nearly twice around Bald Mountain, with the train passing over its own tracks on a wooden trestle. This gave the route the "Hook and Eye Line" nickname, with the "hook" being another switchback in Georgia, and the eye being the loop. (Both were later bypassed before ceasing original operations.) This route was originally part of the Atlanta, Knoxville and Northern Railway. In 1902, they were bought out by Lousiville & Nashville for a complete route from Atlanta to Cincinnati via Knoxville. The route was eventually bypassed by the line that now serves CSX and runs through Etowah. Located seemingly in the middle of nowhere, this spot is virtually inaccessable by any means other than by train. Luckily you can get here by train! Since 2004 Tennessee Valley Railroad has operated the Hiwasee River Rail excursion train. Taking a photo from the train isn't quite the easiest thing to do, so this is the best I can offer until they offer a specialty train that lets us get off at this spot. Here, as we are higher on the mountain, we can see a lower section of the loop thanks to a clearing in the trees. The Hiwasee River is seen in the background and North Carolina is on the other side.
Photo from the Hiwasee Loop rail line If you've never heard of the Hiwasee loop, it is a location where the tracks loop around a mountain and then crosses over itself to gain elevation in a short space. Here's more from Wikipedia: This route runs eastward along the Hiwassee River to Farner, TN, then south along the Tennessee side of the North Carolina state line, through Ducktown, then the twin towns of Copperhill, TN and McCaysville, GA, then through Epworth before meeting the existing line at Blue Ridge. In order to meet the construction deadline, engineers designed a double switchback, which required that railcars be brought up or down four at a time to and from the river elevation to make the turn out of or into the valley. Extremely inefficient and time-consuming, it was replaced by what is known as the Hiwassee Loop, taking trains nearly twice around Bald Mountain, with the train passing over its own tracks on a wooden trestle. This gave the route the "Hook and Eye Line" nickname, with the "hook" being another switchback in Georgia, and the eye being the loop. (Both were later bypassed before ceasing original operations.) This route was originally part of the Atlanta, Knoxville and Northern Railway. In 1902, they were bought out by Lousiville & Nashville for a complete route from Atlanta to Cincinnati via Knoxville. The route was eventually bypassed by the line that now serves CSX and runs through Etowah. Located seemingly in the middle of nowhere, this spot is virtually inaccessable by any means other than by train. Luckily you can get here by train! Since 2004 Tennessee Valley Railroad has operated the Hiwasee River Rail excursion train. Taking a photo from the train isn't quite the easiest thing to do, so this is the best I can offer until they offer a specialty train that lest us get off at this spot. Here, I am looking out the window as we head under the trestle.
The last steam train used in America I suppose the distinction of "The last steam train in use in America" can be up for debate, but it's the claim of this Historic Marker. This steam locomotive was used by North America Rayon from 1936-1992. North American switched its plant in with fireless 0-6-0F #1 until some time in 1992. #1 was a well-known fireless steamer, which interchanged regularly with steam engines from connecting East Tennessee & Western North Carolina RR until they dropped the fires in 1967. After that, #1 continued toiling away in the plant, until an anonymous date in 1992. This steam train is located in Elizabethton, TN next door to their visitors welcome center along US19E & US321. Here's what this locomotive looked like while in use: www.steamlocomotive.com/colored/narc1.jpg
New home of Carthage Junction, TN Depot As the Tennessee Central was working on it's rail line to Knoxville, in Smith County a branch split off to reach the industry of Carthage. The spot where the spur split from the main line was about 8 miles southeast of Carthage at a location known as Carthage Junction. 100 years ago, this depot was located there, close to where Preston Rd. meets highway TN141. After passenger rail traffic ceased, the depot was vacant for many years. Eventually, it was purchased and relocated a couple of miles away along TN56 at the Interstate 40 exit. The depot served as the office for Gordonsville Motor Company. More recently, preservationists have looked to save this station. The first step was to relocate this depot three miles up the road to South Carthage on Oct. 23, 2014. At this new location, the property has been flattened and now overlooks a park along the bank of the Caney Fork River. The tracks used to run right next to this spot, but now the tracks are torn up and across the street has become the endpoint of a rails-to-trails path. There is still much work to do, such as rebuilding the roof and restoring the interior. Then, they will improve the grounds around the station. You can follow their progress on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CarthageJunctionDepot
Southern Bay Window Caboose X421 - Jackson, TN This Southern Railway bay window caboose #X421 is on display at the NCStL Depot Museum in Jackson, TN. According to their notes: This Southern caboose was acquired by Norfolk Southern in 1982.
Southern #630 Ready to Move Railfest 2014 is this weekend! This photo is from Railfest 2013. Railfest is the annual celebration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. This year as part of the celebration, they offered Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 as an excursion round trip to Cleveland, TN. This locomotive was built in 1904 by the American Locomotive Company Richmond Works. It was restored to operation at TVRM in 2011 and is now part of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program. You can see quite a thorough collection of photos of #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with Southern FP7 #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/railfes... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: Just the steam train departure seen here: youtu.be/QVBCATNnTQI That, and more footage of the steam train: youtu.be/85iljPK1TfY All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
Tracks of the Ocoee River Flume If you've ever driven along US64 where it parallels the Ocoee River, you might look across the river on the other side of the bluff and see a wooden trough way up high. Constructed in 1912, the main part of the flume carries water from Ocoee Dam #2 to the Powerhouse about five miles away. Atop the flume are tracks to help get the TVA employees from one side to the other, but it was also useful for carrying when sections of the flume had to be rebuilt. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Ocoee structure is the only flume line in the United States used to produce power. This photo was taken from the dam near where Ocoee rafters get on the water. For the story: www.knoxnews.com/business/flume-repairs-under-way For some video: youtu.be/PjZkDJRA05g
The end of the line At one time, these tracks kept on going but now they stop here. This is part of the Tennessee Central spur line that went to Carthage. Only part of that line is used and the remaining miles are unneeded. At this location is the new South Carthage home of the vintage Carthage Junction depot that will become a park. Across the street, the old rail bed is a completed project of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
Norfolk Southern Tennessee River Bridge - Knoxville Located in downtown Knoxville, this railroad bridge now used by Norfolk Southern has elements dating back to the Civil War, but has been rebuilt several times. The stone piers and approaches are the oldest element of the bridge, dating back to the 1850s. Wooden spans were completed in 1867. In 1903, wooden spans were replaced with a steel trestle. It underwent a major rebuild in 1940. A tugboat hit one of the piers in 1993 and that pier was fortified. The center span of the bridge is a Pratt through truss and the other segments are Warren deck trusses. The original builder of the bridge was Knoxville & Charleston Railroad which chartered in 1852. In the 1870s, they became the Knoxville & Augusta Railway. In 1890, they were bought out by East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway. Then, in 1894 they were bought out by Southern Railway.
Tennessee Central 6902 - Watertown, TN The Tennessee Central 6902 is a Diesel EMD E8 locomotive built in 1953. Originally, it was built for New York Central and became part of Penn Central, New Jersey transit and New Georgia railroad. In the late 80's, the train came to Nashville to become the Broadway Dinner Train with this Crimson and Silver color scheme. When the Dinner Train closed in 1999, the train was then used by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum for many of their excursions. One of the most popular excursions is the semi-annual trip to Watertown, TN in Wilson County for the Mile Long Yard Sale. Behind it are two 1952 EMD F7B Boosters. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/autumn-tn/ 10 Reasons Why Fall Is The Best Time Of The Year In Tennessee or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/nashville/train-ride-na... This Epic Train Ride In Nashville Will Give You An Unforgettable Experience or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/fall-in-tn/ 11 Reasons Why Fall Is The Best Time Of The Year In Tennessee or here: suburbanturmoil.com/things-to-do-with-kids-in-nashville-2... 75 Things to Do with Kids in Nashville This Summer: 2017 Edition
Cheatham County Bicentennial Trail Bridge This bridge was originally built in 1901 by the Tennessee Central Railway as they extended their rail line from Nashville west to Clarksville. Around 1990, the tracks west of Ashland City were abandoned and soon many people wanted to convert the old rail-bed and this bridge to a pedestrian trail. With a partnership between the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the Cheatham County Parks Department, the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail was built and it utilized the old bridge. (The trail parallels the Cumberland River but actually crosses Sycamore Creek.) The iron Parker through truss bridge with a length of 550 ft. was built by American Bridge Co. Order this as a Post Card! Order this as a Poster! For other views of this bridge: www.flickr.com/search/?sort=relevance&text=cumberland... For the full story: www.railstotrails.org/news/recurringfeatures/trailmonth/a... or: www.cumberlandrivertrail.org/history.htm Thanks everybody, this photo has made Explore peaking at #60! Hello to anyone who found this here: www.homesnacks.net/41-photos-of-tennessee-that-will-make-... 41 Photos of Tennessee That Will Make You Want to Move There or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/unknown-tennessee/ 14 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The State Of Tennessee or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-scenery/ These 15 Mind-Blowing Sceneries Totally Define Tennessee
Norfolk Southern Tennessee River Bridge - Knoxville Located in downtown Knoxville, this railroad bridge now used by Norfolk Southern has elements dating back to the Civil War, but has been rebuilt several times. The stone piers and approaches are the oldest element of the bridge, dating back to the 1850s. Wooden spans were completed in 1867. In 1903, wooden spans were replaced with a steel trestle. It underwent a major rebuild in 1940. A tugboat hit one of the piers in 1993 and that pier was fortified. The center span of the bridge is a Pratt through truss and the other segments are Warren deck trusses. The original builder of the bridge was Knoxville & Charleston Railroad which chartered in 1852. In the 1870s, they became the Knoxville & Augusta Railway. In 1890, they were bought out by East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway. Then, in 1894 they were bought out by Southern Railway. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/romantic-tn/ 10 Romantic Tennessee Destinations That’ll Get Your Blood Pumpin’ 7) Walk Old City
Baxter, TN Replica Train Station Baxter is a small town in Putnam County and is named after the founder of Tennessee Central railroad Jere Baxter. The old TC tracks go through the middle of town. The city built a replica train depot to be used as a visitors center and museum.
Mobile & Ohio Passenger Depot - Trenton, TN The rail line through Trenton, TN was built in 1861 by Mobile & Ohio (M&O) which eventually became GM&O and the Illinois Central in 1972. Today the tracks are part of short line West Tennessee Railroad. This area also had some Civil War history as seen by this historic marker: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=historical-markers/...
Knoxville's L&N Station (Street View) From Wikipedia: The L&N Station is a former rail passenger station in Knoxville, TN, located in the downtown area at the northern end of the World's Fair Park. Built in 1905 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, the station was renovated for use in the 1982 World's Fair, and is currently home to the Knox County STEM Academy. In 1982, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its architecture and role in Knoxville's transportation history. For the full story: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%26N_Station_%28Knoxville%29
Running Water Creek Bridge Anyone who has ever traveled Interstate 24 through Marion County, TN has seen this impressive bridge. A bridge was first built across this valley by Nashville and Chattanooga railroad. You can read more about the Civil war significance on this historic marker: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=historical-markers/... The current version of the deck plate girder bridge was built in 1968 and used by CSX. Highway TN134 also passes under the bridge and was the main road through the area before the Interstate. Also before the interstate, the bridge appeared much more impressive, as it looked even higher before the roadway in the valley built it up
Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hello to anyone who found this here: www.radiojazzclub.com/?p=47 On a story about Harry Warren who wrote teh song Chattanooga Choo Choo That link has been updated: www.radiovideojazz.com/harry-warren/
Cheatham County Bicentennial Trail Bridge (Ver. 3) This bridge was originally built in 1901 by the Tennessee Central Railway as they extended their rail line from Nashville west to Clarksville. Around 1990, the tracks west of Ashland City were abandoned and soon many people wanted to convert the old railbed and this bridge to a pedestrian trail. With a partnership between the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the Cheatham County Parks Department, the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail was built and it utilized the old bridge. (The trail parallels the Cumberland River but actually crosses Sycamore Creek.) The iron Parker through truss bridge with a length of 550 ft. was built by American Bridge Co. For the full story: www.railstotrails.org/news/recurringfeatures/trailmonth/a... or: www.cumberlandrivertrail.org/history.htm Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/undeniable-tn-home/ 11 Undeniable Reasons Why Tennessee Will Always Be Home
Family Lines System Caboose # 16447 This Family Lines System bay window caboose was formerly L&N #6447. Today the caboose is part of the rolling stock equipment owned by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. However, they must be out of space at the museum as I found this and several other train cars a couple of counties away stored at a passing loop near Carthage Junction, TN.
Chessie Caboose #903981 This Chessie bay window Caboose was formerly B&O #903981. Today the caboose is part of the rolling stock equipment owned by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. However, they must be out of space at the museum as I found this and several other train cars a couple of counties away stored at a passing loop near Carthage Junction, TN.
Abandoned Tennessee Central Trestle over Marks Creek This abandoned railroad trestle crosses Mark's Creek in Cheatham County. This bridge was originally built in 1901 by the Tennessee Central Railway as they extended their rail line from Nashville west to Clarksville. Around 1990, the tracks west of Ashland City were abandoned. While there have been nearly 25 years for the trees to grow through the tracks, the real obstacle is the trestle just stops about 10 feet to the right of the photo. Here, the tracks used to cross Chapmansboro Rd. and then the rail-bed becomes what is now the Rails-to-Trails Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/abandoned-tn-in-nature/ 12 Abandoned Places In Tennessee That Nature Is Reclaiming
Smyrna, TN Passenger Depot at Christmastime Here is the railroad station of the town I call home. The city of Smyrna has its roots to when a station was built here in 1851 and the town sprung up around it. (The line that ran from Nashville to Chattanooga placed a depot every 8 or so miles along the route.) This brick depot was built in 1873. The historic building had lied vacant for many years, but it is starting to see a little bit of activity. Most of the town festivals are held at the depot and along Front St. Within the last 5 years, the town has worked on revitalizing the area with landscaping and a roundabout at the intersection in front of the depot. The green flag in the picture is the city's logo. See the historical marker here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=historical-markers/...
Dickson, TN Train Station at dusk This train station was originally built by L&N and along tracks belonging now to CSX. Across the street is the historic railroad hotel, Hotel Halbrook which is now operated as the Frank Clement museum.
L&N Cupola Caboose #159 Today the caboose is part of the rolling stock equipment owned by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. However, they must be out of space at the museum as I found this and several other train cars a couple of counties away stored at a passing loop near Carthage Junction, TN.
Sharon, TN Railroad Mural This mural depicts steam locomotive No.382 running through the countryside. It is located on the side of a building and viewable from Gardner-Crowder park along Main St. (TN89)
Manufacturers Railway Boxcar #4606 As of the day I took this photo in Oct, 2014, this Boxcar was sitting in an empty lot that used to be the Gordonsville Motor Company. When in business, their office was the former Carthage Junction passenger depot, but that was relocated to a new home in 2014. Also, there had been a caboose at this location. Since everything else has moved, this also could be gone by now - I don't know. The lot is located along highway TN53 just off the I40 exit. According to Wikipedia, Manufacturers Railway (MRS) was owned by Anheuser-Busch and used to transport their product. They shut down in 2011.
Railroad Bas-Relief Etching on John W. Thomas statue Located at Centennial Park, this is one of three of the bas relief etchings on the 1907 John W. Thomas statue in front of the Parthenon. The man in the relief is holding the famous "The General" steam train from the Civil War's Great Locomotive Chase. John W. Thomas was the President of NCStL as well as President of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition.
Family Lines System Caboose #6113 Originally, this bay window caboose was L&N, but became part of the merged Family Lines System. Today, the caboose is part of the rolling stock equipment owned by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. However, they must be out of space at the museum as I found this and several other train cars a couple of counties away stored at a passing loop near Carthage Junction, TN.
L&N #405 Locomotive - Watertown, TN L&N #405 is part of the rolling stock of the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. This EMD GP7 was built in 1951. On this day, 405 carried an excursion to Watertown for the Mile Long Yard Sale. After this locomotive was acquired by Tennessee Central, it went under an extensive repaint back to its original colors. Here is what it looked like three years ago before the repaint was complete: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=nashville/tennessee...
Old Box Car Today the box car is part of the rolling stock equipment owned by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. However, they must be out of space at the museum as I found this and several other train cars a couple of counties away stored at a passing loop near Carthage Junction, TN.
Bridges of South Chickamauga Five Points Crossing the South Chickamauga Creek at this spot is five bridges, hence the name Five Points. Some of them are visible here. (Not pictured) the first bridge to cross here was for the Western & Atlantic Railroad in the late 1840's. All that's left of this bridge are the stone piers. Next, the tallest bridge is the old Southern Railway bridge that is currently used by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum for their Missionary Ridge local excursion. This photo was taken from the window of that excursion. The Pratt Through Truss bridge is part of a CSX spur line originally built to reach the Volunteer Army Ammunitions Plant. Today, the spur line serves the new Volkswagon plant at the same site and the bridge has been reinforced. Not pictured 500 feet to the south is the CSX main line. Also not pictured is the Norfolk Southern main line which does not cross the creek. For auto traffic, Lightfoot Mill Rd. crosses here and is the bridge furthest away. It was built in the 1980s and replaced a small truss bridge. The thin bridge close to the water is for a sewer line.
MATA Trolley 553 - Memphis Heritage Streetcar The MATA Trolley is a heritage streetcar transit system operating in Memphis. It has operated since April 29, 1993. The last line of Memphis’ original streetcar network closed on June 15, 1947. Since opening, the system has been extended twice and now consists of three lines; the Main Street Line, the Riverfront Loop and the Madison Avenue Line. These lines are operated by the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA). The trolleys used are almost all restored, vintage streetcars. On April 7, 2014 this trolley car caught fire at 7:45 AM. Nobody on board was injured after barely escaping before it burst into flames but damage to the trolley car resulted in a total loss. It was the second time this had happened to a MATA trolley in six months, so service continues to be suspended until they can ensure fires never happens again. This particular trolley was built in 1923 by Australia's Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. MATA bought the reconditioned car in 1997 for $387,500. To follow the story: www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/trolley-trials/Content?oid=3...
Family Lines System Boxcar #60776 This is a 50' sliding-door boxcar that originally was Seaboard Coast Line #60776. Today the box car is part of the rolling stock equipment owned by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. However, they must be out of space at the museum as I found this and several other train cars a couple of counties away stored at a passing loop near Carthage Junction, TN.
Union Station (View from Demonbreun Viaduct) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Nashville) The depot was built in 1900 in a castle-like late-Victorian Romanesque Revival style. The clock on the tower was one of the earliest digital clocks, but is now a traditional clock. Atop the tower used to be a 3D statue of the Roman god Mercury, but was knocked off in a windstorm in the 50s. In the mid-90s, a flat Mercury was put in its place. That one was knocked off in the 98 tornado, but was replaced again. The station became vacant in 1979 after train service was discontinued. It opened as a luxury hotel in March of 1990, and is now a Marriott hotel. An architecturally significant train shed used to be located right next to the station, but it's deteriorating condition, plus lack of any conceivable use led to it being demolished a few years ago, which caused Union Station to lose its status as a National Historic Landmark.
CSX Tennessee River Bridge - Knoxville This railroad bridge near downtown Knoxville was built in 1966 to cross the Tennessee River and is currently used by CSX (originally L&N). It is a camelback through truss bridge where the main span is a polygonal Warren through truss.
VIA SLCX 9479 & 2149 at Union Station These are a pair of passenger railroad cars that ended up at Union Station in Nashville. Perhaps the hotel management figured they would turn these into hotel rooms (similar to the cars at the Chattanooga Choo Choo) but have yet to do anything with them. They have had a while to think about it since they arrived here around 1990. They won't be going anywhere soon, as the left is the end of the line and the tracks to the right which used to run below the Demonbreun Viaduct past Cummins Station are now removed. The 9479 on the left was built in 1948 by Pullman Standard as a 22 room sleeper as #2067. A decade later, it was sold to CN and painted VAL. In 1973 it was rebuilt as a baggage car. The 2149 on the right was built in 1949 by Pullman Standard for Erie Railroad. The car was named Benjamin Loder in honor of the Erie Railroad president. It was sold to CN in 1958 and then became VIA in 1978. It is a 10 room + 6 Double Bedroom sleeper. It is believed to be the sole surviving Pullman Standard plan 4129A.
L&N Scale Test Car #41499 Nearly 100 years old, this scale test car was built in 1917 by NCStL. Later, it became part of L&N which is most of the modern paint scheme. A scale test car is a maintenance car used to calibrate scales. This car was known to have an exact weight of 90,000 pounds. Many scale test cars were small, old railroad cars carrying heavy metal weights as their superstructure. Scale test cars needed special handling so they would not suffer damage, which might alter their weight. (This one reads "To be hauled next to caboose.") They were reweighed periodically on accurate scales at the railroad's shops. the last digit is faded but this one was dated 1-22-9?. Today the scale test car is part of the rolling stock equipment owned by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. However, they must be out of space at the museum as I found this and several other train cars a couple of counties away stored at a passing loop near Carthage Junction, TN.
Collierville, TN Town Square Mural (Right half) Unveiled in 2010, this 100 foot wide by 14 foot tall mural was painted by artist Mark Davey. The mural is located in Collierville's Town Square at the corner of Washington & Main. Scenes include a cotton field, Southern Railway Steam Locomotive #610, the White church, a Civil War cannon, grail silos, and businesses along the square.
Clinchfield #99 steam locomotive This Rogers Ten-Wheeler 4-6-0 steam train is located at the museum at Casey Jones Village in Jackson, TN. It has been re-branded to appear to be Illinois Central #382, which is the same model of locomotive. Ole 382 (aka Cannonball) is the train that Casey Jones famously engineered.
Collierville, TN Train Station The train station in Collierville, TN was originally built by Southern Railway for the town of LaGrange, TN. Then, in the 1940's it was moved to Collierville. In 1976, Southern realized there would be no more passenger service and the depot was given to the city and moved to its present location. Now it is on the town square and off of the quite active NS main line. now is open as a train museum, which is under the oversight of the Memphis Transportation Museum. There are still some tracks that lead up to this station where the museum has some rolling stock on display. You can read more about the museum here: www.commercialappeal.com/entertainment/museum-on-a-roll
Collierville, TN Train Station at night The train station in Collierville, TN was originally built by Southern Railway for the town of LaGrange, TN. Then, in the 1940's it was moved to Collierville. In 1976, Southern realized there would be no more passenger service and the depot was given to the city and moved to its present location. Now it is on the town square and off of the quite active NS main line. now is open as a train museum, which is under the oversight of the Memphis Transportation Museum. There are still some tracks that lead up to this station where the museum has some rolling stock on display. You can read more about the museum here: www.commercialappeal.com/entertainment/museum-on-a-roll
MATA Trolley 545 - Memphis Heritage Streetcar The MATA Trolley is a heritage streetcar transit system operating in Memphis. It has operated since April 29, 1993. The last line of Memphis’ original streetcar network closed on June 15, 1947. Since opening, the system has been extended twice and now consists of three lines; the Main Street Line, the Riverfront Loop and the Madison Avenue Line. These lines are operated by the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA). The trolleys used are almost all restored, vintage streetcars.
Chattanooga Bridge Pier Art In Chattanooga, it seems like there are railroad tracks everywhere you go. Here is a spot visible from East 11th St. where there are some abandoned railroad bridge piers that have been painted. Many people might consider useless conrete piers a blight to the community (I wouldn't) but converting it to a community art project looks better. I tried to find more info on this project, but found no results. Other local landmarks: The Chattanooga Choo Choo is in the background and Lookout Mountain completes the backdrop. I like Star Wars but the Stormtrooper seems out of place. See the spot on a google map here: www.google.com/maps/@35.041316,-85.302486,3a,37.5y,244h,8... as a neat before & after comparison, check out what this area looked like in 2007 via google street. totally different: www.google.com/maps/@35.040601,-85.302868,3a,75y,303.61h,...
Murfreesboro, TN Depot Built in 1887
Abandoned incline tracks at abandoned park There are several of these mysterious tracks at Lock One park in Nashville. This area was a lock on the cumberland river during the early 20th century and then when new locks were built elsewhere, it became a boat dock and city park. Then, most people stopped using it as a pack around the 50's. There's bound to be a lot of history here, but I can't find much on the area
CN IC #9613 Locomotive at the Memphis Pyramid Before this picture, I had never photographed a CN train before, even though I had been around West Tennessee and the former IC mainline several times. So, imagine my joy when I get to Memphis and see this as soon as I get there. Canadian National #9613 is formerly Illinois Central #9613 It is an EMD-GP38-2 built in 1974.
Rusty train bridge This is the Really old rotating train bridge that crosses the Cumberland River in Downtown Nashville. I heard the train coming so I ran over here as fast as I could, and then after it finished, (and when no one was looking) I crawled up here.
Railroad Switchman Statue - Tracy City, TN This statue of a Railroad Switchman named Juke honors the railroad heritage of Tracy City and local railroader Juke Shook. This is located at Tracy City Mini Park, a small triangle-shaped park along US41 in the middle of town.
Georgia Railroad Boxcar #2614 - Knoxville, TN This red boxcar is seen in downtown Knoxville along the Riverfront where the Three Rivers Rambler excursion train boards. The Three Rivers Rambler is part of the Knoxville & Holston River Railroad.
Mud Island Monoriail Terminal - Memphis, TN Also known as the Memphis Suspension Railway, the Mud Island Monorail connects downtown Memphis with the Mud Island tourist attraction crossing the Wolf River Lagoon. The monorail opened on July 3, 1982 and is the most popular way to visit the island. (You can also drive and pay to park, or for free you can walk the pedestrian bridge above the monorail. There are two monorail cars that were constructed in Switzerland in 1981. The pair are connected by a 3,500 ft. cable which causes them to simultaneously shuttle back and forth on parallel tracks on the 1,700 ft. bridge. Each car can hold 180 people and it travels at 7 MPH.
The Abandoned Smyrna, TN Train Station (2006) I would guess that this depot hasn't been for train passengers form 35 years. Its stop is along the same CSX line that runs from Chattanooga to the Radnor Yard in Nashville, as well as right by my house. It's located in the old city center of Smyrna, with torn up concrete and front street on the right, and the tracks then US 41/70S on the left. This was before the Front St. Revitalization and before I lived in the area. This depot was built in 1873 Historical marker: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=historical-markers/...
Lebanon, TN Train freight depot Tennessee Central
Thompson's Station L&N Caboose This red L&N Caboose is at the Thompson's Station, TN depot Hello to anyone who found this here: flashingyellowlights.blogspot.com/2009/10/dear-thompson-s...
Thompson's Station, TN Depot This depot was built in 1993 to replicate the original depot that was built in 1866. Thompson's station was named after Elijah Thompson who donated the land for the town. Thompson's Station was known as the German Millet Capital of the world because of the large amount of grain grown in the area. The small town is located south of Franklin, TN in Williamson County and is just off of U.S. 31 Here is a picture of the marker: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=historical-markers/...
Tullahoma, TN Depot With a CSX engine
Union Station's broadway window Downtown Nashville, TN
Tullahoma's L&N Caboose (2008) Not far from Tullahoma's depot, near the intersection that used to be most important in town, Atlantic & Lincoln. UPDATE: Since this photo was taken, the area around the caboose has been landscaped. This photo has been used without permission, violating the creative commons license here: backgroundchecks.org/25-safest-cities-in-tennessee-2016.html The Safest Cities in Tennessee 2016
Grand Junction, TN Train Station The city of Grand Junction had been on my Tennessee To Do list for a long time because of the area's prominence in Tennessee's railroad history. Unfortunately, the historic station at the junction had seen better days. The town of Grand Junction dates back to 1854 when the major East-West Southern Railroad and North-South Illinois Central railroad lines intersected here. Today, the East-West line is part of a very important Norfolk Southern corridor and sees much traffic. However, the North-South tracks do not cross at the junction anymore. (I don't know if those tracks are abandoned, or just act like a spur these days. There were some hoppers parked not too far away. The depot itself dates back to the 1920s. Since it has been vacant for a long time, it needs a lot of work, but at least the work has been started. As you can tell, all the windows are covered. The roof collapsed around 2000 and fortunately it appears to have been recently replaced.
Railroad Crossing at the Cream City district (Night) - Cookeville The area around the Tennessee Central train depot is a well preserved historic district in Cookeville. The depot was the crown jewel of the TC system, and several manufacturing warehouses opened in the surrounding area. The most prominent was the Cream City Ice Cream plant. Cream City went out of business, but their spectacular sign is well preserved and lit on special occasions. To see more pictures of the neon sign, Look here!
Railroad Crossing at the Cream City district (Daytime) - Cookeville The area around the Tennessee Central train depot is a well preserved historic district in Cookeville. The depot was the crown jewel of the TC system, and several manufacturing warehouses opened in the surrounding area. The most prominent was the Cream City Ice Cream plant. Cream City went out of business, but their spectacular sign is well preserved and lit on special occasions. To see more pictures of the neon sign, Look here!
Hartsville Depot L&N Caboose
Hartsville TN Depot L&N reached Hartsville in 1892 and the depot was built at about that time. The building is now used as a county history museum and chamber of commerce. For a vintage picture of this station, look here: www.hartsvilletrousdale.com/hp.html
Train Bridge Train bridge over the Caney Fork River which is on the border of Warren and White county. At this spot, the street forms a bridge over the tracks creating this vantage point
Bell Buckle Mural left half Great Mural - Tough to photograph location as this is sort of facing an alley. Bell Buckle is now home to the famous RC Cola and Moon Pie festival which will take place on Sat, June 21. I plan on being there, but I also wanted to visit the small town and enjoy the charm on a day when a large number of people don't show up. On the far left is a black TN Walking horse. In the tree, it mentions WEBB School, the city's most famous school. Next is the city's red L&N Train caboose. Having to work two windows into the mural, the red barn is painted with two windows. In the mian window is a cow with a bell hanging out the window. The cow is licking the boys ice cream cone. In the other window is a blue ribbon winning TN walking horse
Bell Buckle L&N Caboose Bell Buckle is one of the cities on the old Nashville to Chattanooga train line (now operated by CSX) I don't see the fancier L&N logo painted this way often.
Victoria, TN train depot Victoria is a small town in Marion County along the Valley View highway (old TN28). Queen Victoria donated a bell to the local Bethel Church and the locals showed their gratitude by naming the town after her. This brick building was originally a Combination freight and passenger train depot for the Sequatchie Valley Railroad (and eventually NC&StL) likely dating back to the late 1860s. If you look closely, you can see the Victoria name plate above the door. Although partially obscured by a tree, there is also a hand-painted sign for Ketner's Feed Mill - "Definite Feeds for Definite needs" - Master Mix Feeds - Custom Grinding, Mixing - Molasses. I don't know if this building was once a store, or if it was simple an advertisement for the nearby Ketner's Mill. Today, the building is a private residence.
Southern Caboose X530 - Old Smoky Railway Museum The Old Smoky Railway Museum is a collection of rolling stock outside the historic Southern depot in Knoxville, TN. X530 is a bay window caboose owned by Southern Railway and built in 1971
Illinois Central Railroad Division Office - Jackson, TN The ca. 1920 Illinois Central Railroad Division Office in Jackson, TN is listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to the city's railroad prominence. Learn more from the NRHP PDF here: npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/8f429bdb-bf52-416c-9621-b08719...
Cumberland Furnace, TN Depot color Cumberland Furnace is north of Charlotte, TN in Dickson County. Part of me feels this photo absolutely should have been done as a black and white. Any thoughts? I did post an alternate version as a b/w.
Cumberland Furnace Depot front Cumberland Furnace is north of Charlotte, TN in Dickson County.
Cumberland Furnace, TN Depot b&w Cumberland Furnace is north of Charlotte, TN in Dickson County. This photo now appears in print as part of the TN Trails and Byways brochure "Screaming Eagle Trail" which you can see here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/9522319352/
Greenback, TN L&N Station The tracks are long gone but the L&N passenger & freight station from 1914 still remains. It is right in the middle of town along highway TN95 and is now used as a Farmers Market.
Nashville & Decatur Railroad Erected 1868 J.W. Sloss President James R. Willett Architect I have *no* idea what this is other than it's a stone wall covered with vines and the railroad marker. Since I like railroad stuff, I was happy to find this. There are some tracks not too far behind this wall. It's on 4th Ave. S (U.S 31A/41A) when you are driving away from downtown Nashville - I've driven past this many tmes over the years, but never noticed it until I was driving on Chesnut past 4th when going to a Sounds game.
NW Caboose - Old Smoky Railway Museum The Old Smoky Railway Museum is a collection of rolling stock outside the historic Southern depot in Knoxville, TN.
The ascent at Cowan Cowan, TN is an important spot in the train line that runs from Nashville to Chattanooga. This is the last stop before the train makes the ascent up and then through the mountain ridge tunnel.
Tennessee Central Railway neon sign This sign was built in the 1940s or 50s when Tennessee Central had a freight depot along 1st Ave. in downtown Nashville. Tennessee Central ceased operation in 1968 and the depot was demolished in 1973. At that time, the sign went into storage in a private collection. In 2016, the sign came up for auction and the Tennessee Central Railway Museum was the winning bidder. They restored all of the neon tubing and made the sign operational again. In August 2016, the museum put the sign up at their main building facing Willow St.
Rock Island, TN Depot (2008) Train Tracks are still present (I'm practically on them to take this picture) but I'm not sure if trains run these tracks anymore. According to the owner of the antique store in the background, this small depot has been converted into a small apartment. Located on TN287. Here's an old photo of the depot before it was repainted. This photo was posted to flickr by Kenton Dickerson. www.flickr.com/photos/27742813@N03/2631009632/
Johnny Cash's personal train station - Amqui, TN Located in Madison, TN, L&N Railroad built this passenger station in 1910. Although the town was Madison, L&N named this station Amqui. Nobody remembers where the name Amqui came from but one popular theory is it's an Indian word that nobody remembers. The other theory is Amqui is short-hand for really fast, but they took the 'd' off the front and the 'ck' off the end. Decades later, like most depots, Passenger service was discontinued at Amqui. Nearby resident Johnny Cash would see his local station and it inspired his song "The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore." Cash purchased the station in 1979 and relocated it closer to his home in Hendersonville where he used it to hold his train memorabilia. Eventually, June Carter Cash also also used it as an antique store. Upon Johnny Cash's death in 2003, he donated the depot back to the city of Madison. Three years later, they relocated it to some donated land a mile south of the original location. Locals spent several years refurbishing the building, creating a museum and building the adjoining pavilion. As of 2010, the Amqui station is again available for all to enjoy. For the full story: www.amquistation.org/
In Tennessee, even the caboose is orange! on display at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum
L&N Caboose - Wartrace, TN Wartrace is another town that started after the placement of a depot on the Nashville & Chattanooga line in the early 1850s. This caboose is probably near where the depot used to be, right off the tracks close to the town square
Downtown Nashville train This train was between the Titans coliseum and the river. I had assumed those tracks were unused. Shelby St. Bridge is in the background
Sothern Railway Caboose XC1 - Knoxville, TN This transfer caboose dates back to 1926. It is located at the Old Smoky Railway Museum, which is a collection of rolling stock outside the historic Southern depot in Knoxville, TN.
Looking inside the Hohenwald Depot The 1896 Hohenwald, TN depot has been preserved as a museum.
Hohenwald Train Depot Hohenwald was settled by Swiss immigrants. (Hence, the Swiss logo on the sign) The name translates to "High Forest"
Hohenwald, TN Train Depot Hohenwald was settled by German immigrants. The name translates to "High Forest." The original 1896 NC&StL Hohenwald Depot has been restored to its original appearance. As one of the first buildings constructed in the town, the Depot welcomed the new settlers. Later, it witnessed visits from Thomas Edison (coming to the region to find Cobalt) and William Wrigley, as well as served as a work site for German prisoners of war from Rommel’s African Corps during WWII. This Depot was moved several times over the years but returned to its original location and restored in 1985.
Adaptive Reuse Boxcars - Franklin, TN These three Boxcars have been repainted in a tan color and are now on the grounds of The Factory in Franklin, TN. There are two Louisville & Nashville cars and one Tennessee Central.
Pegram, TN train depot in the tiny heart of Pegram, along highway U.S. 70. Built in 1898, at the time, the city was known as Pegram Station.
Old train trestle Just outside of Centerville, TN. Seen from TN Highway 50
old wooden train bridge Hiding behind the trees. Seen along Highway 100 south of Centerville, TN Also, check out hurren_dale's closer photos of this: www.flickr.com/photos/94635635@N00/3000831197/ www.flickr.com/photos/94635635@N00/3000824391/in/set-7215... www.flickr.com/photos/94635635@N00/3001655034/in/set-7215...
Long train bridge from an angle I was driving around looking for a good view of this bridge, and about the best thing I could find was a spot on "old highway 50" that passes under the bridge. Check out hurren_dale's photos: www.flickr.com/photos/94635635@N00/2317450844/ www.flickr.com/photos/94635635@N00/2317451810/
NC&StL Diesel engine - Cowan, TN Located at the Cowan Railroad Museum. It is a 1950 Diesel electric locomotive, built by General Electric as a 44 ton. Donated to the museum as a long-term loan in 2007 after years of use in Huntsville, Al. Historically, in 1962, this was the first locomotive ever to be equipped with radio control so that an engineer was nor needed in the cab.
Cowan TN typical brochure view The sign reads: COWAN, TENNESSEE Named in honor of Major John Cowan, early pioneer settler Major William Russel first settled here in 1800, his home serving as the first Court House 1807-1814 1848-1854: N&C Railroad constructed th4e world's longest tunnel and steepest grade railroad 1855: 9 mi. spur line to Sewanee Mountain completed by Sewanee Mining Company. 1863-1864: Confederate and Federal Armies camped in Cowan. Failure of Confederate Forces to destroy the tunnel provided General Sherman with a direct line of supply for his march through Georgia. Erected 1974
Cowan, TN Depot (now a Railroad Museum) 2008 The Cowan Depot is wood frame and built in 1904 for the NC&StL railway. When in use, it was originally on the other side of the still-in-use-by-CSX tracks but moved further away to its current location in 1976. It's built in a railroad gothic style architecture and has been repainted to the original green and yellow colors. The building is in the process of renovation. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Every year, the town has a Summer Weekend festival called Cowan Depot Days with the goal of raising money to further restore the station. Cowan is located on the historic line that runs from Nashville to Chattanooga and is perhaps best known by railfans as the last stop before ascending Cumberland Mountain and the picturesque but almost inaccessible Cumberland Mountain Tunnel entrance. CSX keeps pusher cars on hand to help trains make the incline to the top. I tried to visit the museum twice in 2008. The first time, I got there minutes after it closed for the day (usually at 4pm). The second time, I got there a week after it closed for the season. cowanrailroadmuseum.org/
Welcome to Bell Buckle Old faded peeling sign remembering the steam trains that used to pass through Bell Buckle as part of the line from Nashville to Chattanooga
Fairmont Motor train Cars - Cowan, TN Gas powered maintenance & crew card for NC&StL, known as Putt-Putts. Located at the Cowan Railroad Museum
Cowan Railroad Museum: Engine & Depot Steam Locomotive #1 has been the highlight of the Cowan Railroad Museum for many years. It's a Columbia Type 2-4-2. It was built by Porter in 1920 as a tenderless Tank style locomotive and converted with a small homemade tender and had the saddle tank removed. The cab used to contain a small coal bunker. The Engine was functional around Charleston, SC until 1964 when it was sold to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Then, was sold to the Cowan museum in 1979.
Family Lines System caboose - Ethridge, TN Most people who pass through Ethridge see all of the Amish stores along highway US43. However, the caboose is located in the small central business district along Depot St. Family Lines System is a precursor to CSX with the consolidations of several other railroads into one: Seaboard Coast Line; Louisville & Nashville; Georgia Railroad; Clinchfield; Atlanta and West Point Railroad.
Grinder's Switch Depot Grinder's Switch is a real place made famous as the hometown of fictional character Minnie Pearl. Instead of being an actual town, it was just a railroad switch. There was a depot at this switch, part of the NCStL line, and an employee there was the father of Sarah Colley Carter, the real life person behind Minnie Pearl. That original depot is long gone, but some people in Centerville want to take advantage of the Minnie Pearl heritage (just like Loretta Lynn has done in Hurricane Mills). In the 1980's, these people planned a park, and needed another depot, so they purchased this L&N depot from the tiny Dickson County town of Slayden. Additionally, they put some vintage farm equipment here, but that park never fully materialized. However, they built a nearby Ag Expo. The train tracks are right behind me here. Update: The train station here is now gone.
Knoxville Train Tracks Before you think that I am aimlessly walking down train tracks when I ought not, this is taken from the spot where the Second Creek Greenway crosses the tracks. The bridge seen here crosses Cumberland Ave. Half a mile behind me, the Norfolk Southern tracks cross the Tennessee River
Belfast, TN depot Belfast is a tiny community southeast on Lewisburg in Marshall County (Along U.S.431) The depot at Belfast is considered the best surviving example of the Duck River Valley Narrow Gauge Railroad buildings. The small Victorian rail station is an excellent board and batten structure. It was built before the 1870's. The tracks have long since been removed. Now, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Iaeger and Southern "Pocahontas" Iaeger and Southern's ISRX 9401 Pullman Passenger car named Pocahontas is on display as part of the rolling stock at the Old Smoky Railroad Museum. This is the museum at the Southern Railway Depot in Knoxville. Iaeger and Southern Railway operated in West Virginia from 1898 to 1912.
Depot Station Cafe Chapel Hill, TN along Highway U.S. 31A. The tracks aren't really close to the center of Chapel Hill.
Commerce St. Pedestrian Bridge Clarksville, tn a segment of the Cumberland Riverwalk takes advantage of an old abandoned train bridge over Commerce Street. I only spent about 3 hours in Clarksville, but I'm wanting to go back. There seemed to be a few of these old bridges just south of the center of town that I would like to examine when I have more time.
Dickson, TN Depot Originally a L&N Station
NCStL Train Depot - Lebanon, TN The NCStL Train Station located one block south of the Lebanon town square along highway US231 is stop #2 on the Historic Lebanon Driving tour. Here is the text from that brochure: The Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Depot was built in 1916. Lebanon’s first depot was built in 1869 for the Tennessee & Pacific Railroad one mile south of the present site. The Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad acquired the line in 1877. The old depot was abandoned and a new depot built closer to the Square. This depot was used until the last passenger train pulled out of Lebanon in the 1930s. Passenger Rail Service did not return until 2006 with the Music City Star. Today, the old station is used as offices for Shenandoah Mills. On their website, they say: Our home is the original Lebanon Train Depot, constructed in the early 1900′s. We have completely renovated the facility to preserve and restore it’s integrity as well as to keep our equipment fresh and innovative. In 1996, we were awarded the William Baird Beautification Award and the Lebanon-Wilson County Chamber of Commerce Cedar Tree award. shenandoahmills.com/about/
Leeville, TN Train Station This old NCStL train depot is along Division St. in the small Wilson County town of Leeville. The tracks are all gone, and it has been relocated to use as someone's personal storage.
NS Caboose 518589 - Oak Ridge, TN Norfolk Southern Cupola Caboose #518589 is owned by Knoxville Area Morel Railroaders. This club is located at the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge.
Cleveland, TN Passenger Depot This old passenger train station was built by Southern Railway in 1908. The older freight depot is seen in the background on the right. Passenger railroad service stopped in the 1970s. However, the building is now used for passenger bus service.
Inside the Lynnville, TN Depot train museum
Union Station Most views of Union station tend to look from the front across the street (broadway). This is a fuller view of the building from the side, taken from the Broadway viaduct. The depot was built in 1900 in a castle-like late-Victorian Romanesque Revival style. The clock on the tower was one of the earliest digital clocks, but is now a traditional clock. Atop the tower used to be a 3D statue of the Roman god Mercury, but was knocked off in a windstorm in the 50s. In the mid-90s, a flat Mercury was put in its place. That one was knocked off in the 98 tornado, but was replaced again. The station became vacant in 1979 after train service was discontinued. It opened as a luxury hotel in March of 1990, and is now a Wyndham hotel. An architecturally significant train shed used to be located right next to the station, but it's deteriorating condition, plus lack of any conceivable use led to it being demolished a few years ago, which caused Union Station to lose its status as a National Historic Landmark.
Cumberland Mtn Tunnel Marker A marker in honor of a historically significant tunnel along the railroad from Nashville to Chattanooga. They couldn't go over or around the mountain ridge, so they had to go through it. It's my understanding that this marker used to be at the tunnel, where nobody but train people could see it. Now it is in Cowan, TN, near the depot at the base of the ascent.
Last Train to Here The Clarksville in the Monkees song was the Clarksville in Tennessee. The last train to Clarksville was in 1968, a couple of years after the song was a hit. L&N built this train depot in 1901 but continuous service ceased in 1966. From 1970 to 95, the station remained unused until the Montgomery County Historical Society restored it. An engine (seen) and caboose are outside. A small indoor museum is open on Tue, Thur and Sat from 9am to 1pm, as well as a Farmer's Market. And the song's writer's really didn't have this depot in mind when they wrote it, opting for a generic city title, but we can pretend, can't we?
Inside Union Station HDR 1: Ceiling Qtpfsgui 1.8.12 tonemapping parameters: Operator: Drago Parameters: Bias: 0.85 ------ PreGamma: 0.515 I don't use HDR all too often,but there are certain places where I feel that it works with what I am trying to accomplish. Inside Nashville's majestic 1900 Union Station felt like one such place I should use it. Much of the building is majestic, and the main lobby is about 4 to 5 stories tall. Trains ceased coming to the station in 1979, but in 1990 it was restored and opened as a luxury hotel. View large size to see the full detail of the stained glass ceiling. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/nashville/incredible-na... These 20 Incredible Places in Nashville Will Drop Your Jaw To The Floor
Inside Union Station HDR 2 Qtpfsgui 1.8.12 tonemapping parameters: Operator: Fattal Parameters: Alpha: 0.277 Beta: 0.942 Color Saturation: 1 Noise Reduction: 0 ------ PreGamma: 0.758 I don't use HDR all too often,but there are certain places where I feel that it works with what I am trying to accomplish. Inside Nashville's majestic 1900 Union Station felt like one such place I should use it. Much of the building is majestic, and the main lobby is about 4 to 5 stories tall. Trains ceased coming to the station in 1979, but in 1990 it was restored and opened as a luxury hotel.
NCStL Caboose #41 This wooden cupola caboose NE-3 caboose was built in 1924, and was acquired by NCStL in 1935. Today, it is used by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN.
ALCO 8669 - Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum This ALCO RSD-1 diesel-electric locomotive is at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga. Here is the text of their marker: Built by the American Locomotive Company in 1945 for the U.S. Army, the 8669 later worked for the U.S. Air Force at Elgin Air Force Base before the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum purchased it as government surplus and moved it to Chattanooga in 1978.It has a curved cab which is unusual for an American locomotive. The 8669 and other locomotives like it were specifically designed for service oversees in the years immediately following World War II. European tunnels were narrower that those in the U.S., hence the narrow, curved cab. The 8669 was a stalwart of TVRM's operations from the late 1970s until 2009. Hopefully, the locomotive will be restored and reenter service soon.
Crossville TN Depot Tennessee Central Railroad first came to Crossville in 1900. After the first depot burned, this depot was built in 1926 and served until the early 80's After becoming a hero in WWI, Sgt. Alvin York returned home via this depot. With that in mind, this depot was used for a scene about that in the 1941 Gary Cooper movie Seargent York. Although the tracks are long gone, this depot is well maintained and is used as a gift shop where, anong other things, you can purchase a DVD of Seargent York. www.crossvilleonline.com/Businesses/GiftShops/Depot/index...
Southern Railway Freight Depot (street side) - Knoxville, TN Southern Railway was formed in the 1890s at the merging of two railroad companies. In 1902, Southern hired architect Frank Pierce Milburn to design new train stations at several of their major terminals. Two years later, the Southern Terminal opened in Knoxville. Many warehouses and factories surrounded this area because of its important shipping routes. The station looks today much the same as it did in 1904, except a large clock tower was removed in 1945 wen deemed structurally unsafe. The last passenger train came through in 1970. Today, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places as the integral part of The Southern Terminal and Warehouse District, an area which is today known as Old City. This passenger station and the freight depot next door are designed in a similar style with Classical Revival influence. Most notable is the corbel-stepped gabled roof. On the track side of the building is a collection of rolling stock known as the Old Smoky Railway Museum.
Jamestown, TN Depot This depot was built by the Oneida & Western Railroad decided to extend their line another 7 miles past their previous end of East Jamestown in 1930. O&W was started by the Tennessee Stave and Lumber Company, but their railroad soon started losing money after extending to Jamestown. Passengers could board a train here and take the 37 mile trip to Oneida and from there connect to Southern Railway. In 1942, O&W was sold to Crown-Healy Company of Illinois on news that TVA was planning to build a dam on Wolf Creek near Jamestown. WWII delayed building that dam until 1946, and by then, another building company had won the bid for the dam project. Then, Jewel Ridge Coal Corporation bought the line when coal mines were proposed in the area, but this did not amount to enough business. The last train left this station on March 2, 1954. Later, this depot was sold and used as a business, hence the Nutrena sign on the front. Today, the building is vacant.
Southern Railway Passenger Depot (street side) - Knoxville, TN Southern Railway was formed in the 1890s at the merging of two railroad companies. In 1902, Southern hired architect Frank Pierce Milburn to design new train stations at several of their major terminals. Two years later, the Southern Terminal opened in Knoxville. Many warehouses and factories surrounded this area because of its important shipping routes. The station looks today much the same as it did in 1904, except a large clock tower was removed in 1945 wen deemed structurally unsafe. The last passenger train came through in 1970. Today, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places as the integral part of The Southern Terminal and Warehouse District, an area which is today known as Old City. This passenger station and the freight depot next door are designed in a similar style with Classical Revival influence. Most notable is the corbel-stepped gabled roof. On the track side of the building is a collection of rolling stock known as the Old Smoky Railway Museum. Gay St. Viaduct view: flic.kr/p/9dxGfY
Caney Fork & Western 104 & 106 The Caney Fork and Western Railroad (CFWR) is a shortline railroad operating since 1983 from a connection with CSX at Tullahoma to McMinnville, TN, 61 miles along old NCStL tracks. Currently the railroad is a subsidiary of Ironhorse Resources. Principal commodities include lumber, steel, fertilizer, grain, propane, and carbon black, generating approximately 1,350 annual carloads. This locomotive is seen parked along their tracks adjacent to Old Tullahoma Highway
Tennessee Central Bunk Car 762575 Today this railcar is part of the rolling stock equipment owned by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. However, they must be out of space at the museum as I found this and several other train cars a couple of counties away stored at a passing loop near Carthage Junction, TN. On the Tennessee Central Railway Museum website, this was listed as Seaboard SBD 762575 as a Maintenance of Way Bunk Car.
Looking through the trestle This is a section of the massive wooden trestle of the Centerville, TN Railroad Bridge. You can see through a long segment of the trestle until the end where there is a stone pier for the truss part of the bridge over the Duck River.
Collinwood, TN L&N Depot This well maintained former L&N (and Tennessee Western) Depot is in the town of Collinwood, in southern Wayne County. The Railroad first came to Collinwood in 1913, and this depot was built in 1916, and expanded in 1918. Railroad operations here ceased in 1939 and the tracks were removed over the next two years. Over the next two decades, the building was used as a house, a warehouse and a grist mill. It served as city hall for 15 years and then a senior citizens center afterwards. The Depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 and the grounds went through and extensive renovation in 2001. On the day of my visit, there was a sign by the entrance that they were opened. Today, the depot serves as a library, and you won't find anything train related on the inside. For a more thorough history and some vintage photos, check the page on Collinwood's website: www.cityofcollinwood.org/collinwood_train_depot.asp
NC&StL #36 - Chattanooga, TN The Baldwin VO-1000 was a diesel-electric switcher built between 1939 and 1946. #36 is painted as NC&StL and is located at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at their East Chattanooga Soule Shop. This locomotive never served "the Dixie Line" and was originally built for the U.S. Navy in August, 1943. A great time to see this is at the TVRM railfest which happens this upcomming weekend.
Curving Tracks of the Nashville gulch If you are taking a standard picture of Union Station from the Broadway bridge, and you turn around, this is what you see. This picture has made explore, peaking at #295! Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/nashville/incredible-na... These 20 Incredible Places in Nashville Will Drop Your Jaw To The Floor
Tennessee Central Depot - Lebanon, TN This train depot was built by Tennessee Central in Lebanon, TN. I'm not sure how old it is, but TC went out of business in 1968, so it's older than that. Today, it belongs to Nashville & Eastern railroad which has their sign on the side
Railroad Crossing & Cream City sign located at the train depot, Cookeville, TN
Cookeville's 509 The Tennessee Central Depot in the heart of Cookeville has been turned into a museum, and is known as "The Crown Jewel of the Tennessee Central Railway." Several train cars are outside and part of the museum, led by Locomotive. As a side note, this reminds me of the song "The Railroad Comes through the middle of the house" as one of the lines is: Here comes the 5:09.
Sparta, TN NC&StL Depot Built in 1917 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Now is a business.
Inside Nashville's Union Station: Fireplace On the main floor of the Union Station is this exquisite fireplace made of Kentucky Limestone
Art of Union Station: Chariot sculpture When Union Station opened in Nashville in 1900, visitors were amazed at the impressiveness of the station, and in particular the artwork in the lobby. On each end of the lobby is a massive clock, with a figure on either side and above a bas-relief sculpture. Shown here is one of those sculptures. This one depicts an Egyptian pharoah in a chariot. The last trian pulled up at Union Station in the 70's. In the late 80's the station was opened as a hotel, and in 2007 the entire lobby underwent an extensive renovation.
Art of Union Station: Locomotive sculpture When Union Station opened in Nashville in 1900, visitors were amazed at the impressiveness of the station, and in particular the artwork in the lobby. On each end of the lobby is a massive clock, with a figure on either side and above a bas-relief sculpture. Shown here is one of those sculptures. This one depicts a steam locomotive, engine #108. The last trian pulled up at Union Station in the 70's. In the late 80's the station was opened as a hotel, and in 2007 the entire lobby underwent an extensive renovation.
Art of Nashville's Union Station When Union Station opened in Nashville in 1900, visitors were amazed at the impressiveness of the station, and in particular the artwork in the lobby. On each end of the lobby is a massive clock, with a figure on either side and above a bas-relief sculpture. Shown here are two figures, one female and one male, angels representing time and progress. The sculpture is an Egyptian pharoah in a chariot. The last trian pulled up at Union Station in the 70's. In the late 80's the station was opened as a hotel, and in 2007 the entire lobby underwent an extensive renovation, which involved cleaning the sculpture and polishing the gold leaf.
Art of Nashville's Union Station When Union Station opened in Nashville in 1900, visitors were amazed at the impressiveness of the station, and in particular the artwork in the lobby. On each end of the lobby is a massive clock, with a figure on either side and above a bas-relief sculpture. Shown here are two female figures, Miss Louisville and Miss Nashville, the namesake cities for the L&N railroad. The sculpture is of a steam locomotive, engine #108. The last trian pulled up at Union Station in the 70's. In the late 80's the station was opened as a hotel, and in 2007 the entire lobby underwent an extensive renovation, which involved cleaning the sculpture and polishing the gold leaf.
Union Station scheduling chart Inside the lobby of Nashville's Union Station, behind the front desk, is this chart showing all of the train schedules. It is held over from the days that the station was a thriving train depot, show many departures and arivals, North and South, and both companies which serviced the area, L&N and NC&StL. On the marble counter-top are three apples.
Smyrna, TN 2017 Christmas Tree Located in Smyrna next to the historic train station
09 TN State Fair #30: Model Trains Again this year, a model train display was set up. Shown here are some of the model train engines that weren't running at the moment. Closest to the camera is a local "Tennessee Central" train, as well as a Burlington Northern and BNSF Hello to anyone who found this here: thebestlibrary.net/wordpress/blog/archives/2066 CHOO CHOO… THE MODEL TRAIN SHOW IS COMING!
Broadway Dinner Train sign I was surprized to see this sign for a couple of reasons. Those are the music city star tracks now, but a few years back, before they went out of business, the Broadway Dinner Train used the tracks. However, the placement of the sign is what I find odd: The sign is facing away from the city. I saw it from the Shelby St. Bridge, but if I recall correctly, the dinner train went out of business before the bridge was opened for pedestrians. Since this sign is facing the river, I guess they are targeting passengers on the Gen. Jackson riverboat.
Sewanee, TN Train Depot (?) - University Supply Store Thanks to my new favorite resource for finding old train stations, depotmaps.com, I found a listing for Sewanee, TN. All the other resources I used said the depot in Sewanee was gone. I suppose it you were lokking for architecture in the area, this building would be low on your list of priorities. Since this was the first I had heard of it, I did a little more research. I used the address for this depot from DepotMaps and looked it up on Google Maps street view. this building resembles a depot, with the long, narrow building and roof that overhangs further from the building. Plus, it's made from the same stone that everything else in Sewanee is made of. In a recent trip to Chattanooga, I had about 30 minutes to swing by the University of the South and try to find out if this was indeed an old depot. Today this building is a bookstore or "University Supply Store". Inside, there were two employees on duty. I asked the first on if this had ever been a depot and she said it was been a lot of things, but never a depot. I later asked the other lady. She said that it never had been and then corrected herself that it was. Looking for further proof, in the bookstore section about the school was a historical guide to selected older buildings with this depot on the cover, a picture taken in the 30's showing the building as an NCStL depot, with the tracks running behind the depot.
The Dome ceiling inside the Chattanooga Choo Choo This information was taken from the Chattanooga Choo Choo website: The Terminal Station was erected in 1908, with its centerpiece - a magnificent dome - that rose majestically over the concourse. Built of steel and concrete and buttressed by huge brick arches, the dome rested on four steel supports 75 feet apart. Suspended from the ceiling were four brass chandeliers, each with 40 lights circling an 18-inch opal globe. From an architectural standpoint, this dome over the entire 68 x 82 foot general waiting rooms was the most attractive design feature of its time. It was on the underside of this dome, the part in view above the waiting room, that the only attempt to decorate in colors was made -- artistic plaster embellishments of heraldic emblems, which are now fully restored. The dome was truly lavish and beautiful in its different prismatic colors, especially when lighted at night. www.choochoo.com/thetrainstation.php?dest=62 This photo was taken near dusk on a clear night. Train service stopped in 1970, and the depot was converted to a Hotel. The main room with the dome is now the hotel lobby
Drive under a huge train bridge On an old road surrounded by lush overgrowth, it seems like there's no imaginable reason to be driving over here unless you want a closer look at the impressive span of the train bridge that crosses the Duck River. At one time I suspect was many decades ago this road was TN Highway 50 and was the main way west out of Centerville. For more info on this bridge: bridgehunter.com/tn/hickman/centerville-rr/
New Johnsonville TN Train Depot Johnsonville was a small town along where the important train line crossed the Tennessee River. That town was flooded by the creation of Kentucky Lake, so the city of New Johnsonville was built nearby. This train depot was apparently relocated to New Johnsonville from the old Johnsonville, and is right next to highway US70.
Pegram's Red Caboose Pegram, TN #1 tourist destination! :) It's located next to the old train station and along U.S. Highway 70
Southern Ralway Caboose Seen in Newport City Park
McKnight Station, TN depot These days, when I seek out old train stations, I frequent DepotMaps.com. However, this station isn't on DepotMaps or any of the other depot web resources I use. I had never heard of it until today. Just recently, The Tennessee Dept. of Tourism has started a new website which will provide auto trails for many of the off-the-beaten-path and hidden gems. This depot is on the first trail to be published, Old Tennessee Settlers to Soldiers Trail as stop #26. This depot was part of the Middle Tennessee Railroad which operated from 1909-27 along Liepers Creek Valley. One feature I like if you look closely at the top at the front was apparently a clock where the hour markers were carved into the wood.
Train Crossing in Downtown Nashville There is a nice old rusty rotating train bridge in downtown Nashville that now is part of CSX. As I was driving around the area recently, I heard the train whistle off in the distance and quickly wanted to get in position to get a shot like this. I took the first parking space I could find without cinsidering whether or not I should park there. It happened to be a parking space just for cops. Luckily, I got out before I got a ticket.
Tracks at Thompson Station I went to visit Thompson Station, TN to see the depot, and as soon as I got out of the car, I heard the warning that a train was coming. I soon went to get in position to view the train coming head on from the safety of around the bend, but that train never came. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/best-raise-family/ Here Are The 10 Best Cities In Tennessee To Raise A Family
CSX Bridge over the Stones River seen from the Stones River Greenway n Murfreesboro at the Manson Pike Trailhead. I waited a while for a train but didn't get lucky. I'm not sure how old the bridge is, but the train line pre-dates the civil war
Franklin, TN Train freight Depot I find it amazing...everything in Franklin and Williamson County of historic significance seems to be well preserved and cared for - except the train depot. It's not that the depot is in disrepair, or anything. It's made of concrete and built to last. But look at how much grief the tribulations of the Franklin Cinema has caused. Yet, the depot doesn't get much love. It's old. It's historic. Hovever, it's not opulant. Built in 1858, the brick depot is one of only two antebellum railroad buildings left in Tennessee. It is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places but not listed yet. During the Civil War, in 1862, Federal forces seized the roadbed, but the rolling stock was held by the Confederates and vanished. Reorganized in 1866 as the Nashville and Decatur Railroad. It was leased to and then purchased by L&N and has remained in continuous operation since then (and is now CSX). With the end of passenger service, the passenger depot was torn down in 1959. Here is a picture of the historical marker: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=historical-markers/...
Clarksville TC Freight Depot In addition to the L&N Trains station in Clarksville, TN, there are two Tennessee Central Depots. The two brick depots are located next to each other on Spring St., just a block behind the old public square. The Tennessee Central tracks are long gone, although a train bridge converted to a pedestrian bridge is just down the street. Today, both buildings are used for city offices.
Clarksville TC Passenger Depot In addition to the L&N Trains station in Clarksville, TN, there are two Tennessee Central Depots. The two brick depots are located next to each other on Spring St., just a block behind the old public square. The Tennessee Central tracks are long gone, although a train bridge converted to a pedestrian bridge is just down the street. Today, both buildings are used for city offices.
Chattanooga Choo Choo sign This is the sign atop the Chattanooga Choo Choo, the hotel and tourist stop inside Chattanooga's Terminal Station
Chattanooga Choo Choo sign This is the sign atop the Chattanooga Choo Choo, the hotel and tourist stop inside Chattanooga's Terminal Station Here is a video of the sign animation www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/4778984066/ Here is the sign in the day time: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/4778963226/in/set-7... Hello to anyone who found this here: www.myspinningplates.com/chattanooga-has-talent/903 Chattanooga Has Talent or here from the Niemen Foundation Lab of Harvard Blog www.niemanlab.org/2013/09/the-newsonomics-of-the-new-chat...
Kelso, TN Train Depot Kelso is a small town along OLD Fayetteville Road (Now bypassed by the more modern US64) on the Eastern side of Lincoln County
Kelso, TN Train Depot Kelso is a small town along Old Fayetteville Road (Now bypassed by the more modern US64) on the Eastern side of Lincoln County
09 TN State Fair #133: Model Train Display Again this year, a model train display was set up by a local club. In this photo, a train engine goes through an industrial part of town. Of extra importance to me is the Rock City ad in the background. The brick building on the left is a meat packing plant. If you look closely on the left, you can see some meat wating to be loaded on a train. You can get anything for model trains.
Southern Railroad Caboose - Elizabethton, TN Not far from the center of town is a small park with a couple of train cars underneath a small shed. Southern went through E-ton from 1911-1940.
Thompson's Station Caboose Thompson's Station is a small town south of Franklin, and has a replica train depot by the tracks. This is the town's L&N Caboose.
Shelbyville, TN Depot in a way, it looks to nice and well maintained to be an old train depot. Today, it is used as an adult education center. The tracks are long gone, but if you look closely, you can see the Shelbyville sign on the front of the depot. It is located on Depot St. (TN64)
Southern Caboose - Bluff City, TN Seen in Bluff City located in a small parking area right off highway TN390 where it crosses Boone Lake
Little Tunnel - Cumberland Gap, TN A major railroad tunnel was built in 1889 to connect Cumberland Gap, TN to Middlesboro, KY. A couple years after that, a spur line was constructed to connect Cumberland Gap to Harrogate. This tunnel was constructed to get through a 1200 foot long ridge. The bricks you see here are original to the tunnel. The tracks to Harrogate have long been abandoned and was converted to a pedestrian trail. This tunnel and two bridges are part of this path. When US58 was widened, there was a need to extend this tunnel further under the highway; this newer portion is corrugated metal instead of brick. This tunnel is also used by Lincoln Memorial University students who stay in the University Inn dormitory and choose to walk to campus. The best way to visit the tunnel today is on the Cumberland Gap side. At the south end of Roslyn Ave. is Kaitlyn DeVries Dog Park. There is ample parking here and it's about a 500 ft. walk to the entrance.
Johnson City, TN Train Depot Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/poorest-cities-tn/ or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/charming-tn-town/ This Charming Tennessee Town Is Picture Perfect For An Autumn Day Trip or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/underrated-tn-towns/ 12 Underrated Tennessee Towns That Deserve A Second Look
Wartace Caboose I was in Wartrace looking at the L&N Caboose in the center of town when a real train, CSX 567 decided to come through.
Train Tracks of Cumberland Gap, TN The town of Cumberland Gap, TN is named for the historic gap in the mountains which early settlers used to cross. The Gap is located where the mountain in the background slopes down toward the left. This Norfolk Southern train line is still in use, but gets very limited traffic. While I am standing in Tennessee for this photo, the Virginia state line is about 1000 feet in front of me. Trains could not incline their way into the gap, so a train tunnel was build under the gap. This tunnel starts about 100 feet into Virginia and the other side is in Kentucky.
Dutchman's Curve Dutchman's curve is the location of the deadliest train wreck in U.S. history, and it happened in Nashville. Human error on the NCStL line mistakenly thinking the tracks were clear allowed a train to proceed with another coming in. The two train engineers couldn't see each other as they approached around a curve and crashed into each other at full speed. At the time, it wasn't uncommon for passenger card to be made of wood, and on impact the cars essentially disintegrated. All told, on the day of July 9, 1918, over 100 people died. The exact spot the two trains collided is a little difficult to determine, but the wreckage covered a lengthy area. Today, the area is commemorated in a subtle way. As one of the Nashville Greenways, the Metro Board of Parks and Recreation added a Wayside along the Richland Creek Greenway at a location near where the wreckage had been. The original railroad bed has been replaced with newer tracks that are built higher up. The small memorial is at a spot between bridge masonry abutments along the old line. These predate the Civil War and were built by the nearly forgotten Nashville and Northwestern Railroad. The tracks here used to cross Bosley Road, which also long gone. A train wheel and a connector is embedded into the concrete here. A metal bar and some other miscellaneous unsecured pieces were here the day I was. I suppose someone found them and just laid them there. A few feet from the old Bosley Road Underpass is where the tracks cross Richland Creek. The modern bridge is about 15 feet high. The old pier remains here also. A pedestrian bridge crosses Richland Creek Also, and then it's only a few more feet to the memorial. For additional views, look here. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-disaster/ This Is Definitely The Most Horrifying Disaster That Ever Happened In Tennessee
Dutchman's Curve Dutchman's curve is the location of the deadliest train wreck in U.S. history, and it happened in Nashville. Human error on the NCStL line mistakenly thinking the tracks were clear allowed a train to proceed with another coming in. The two train engineers couldn't see each other as they approached around a curve and crashed into each other at full speed. At the time, it wasn't uncommon for passenger card to be made of wood, and on impact the cars essentially disintegrated. All told, on the day of July 9, 1918, over 100 people died. The exact spot the two trains collided is a little difficult to determine, but the wreckage covered a lengthy area. Today, the area is commemorated in a sublte way. As one of the Nashville Greenways, the Metro Board of Parks and Recreation added a Wayside along the Richland Creek Greenway at a location near where the wreckage had been. The original railroad bed has been replaced with newer tracks that are built higher up. The small memorial is at a spot between bridge masonry abutments along the old line. These predate the Civil War and were built by the nearly forgotten Nashville and Northwestern Railroad. The tracks here used to cross Bosley Road, which also long gone. A train wheel and a connector is embedded into the concrete here. A metal bar and some other miscellaneuos unsecured pieces were here the day I was. I suppose someone found them and just laid them there. A few feet from the old Bosley Road Underpass is where the tracks cross Richland Creek. The modern bridge is about 15 feet high. The old pier remains here also. A pedestrian bridge crosses Richland Creek Also, and then it's only a few more feet to the memorial. For additional views, look here.
Dutchman's Curve Dutchman's curve is the location of the deadliest train wreck in U.S. history, and it happened in Nashville. Human error on the NCStL line mistakenly thinking the tracks were clear allowed a train to proceed with another coming in. The two train engineers couldn't see each other as they approached around a curve and crashed into each other at full speed. At the time, it wasn't uncommon for passenger cars to be made of wood, and on impact the cars essentially disintegrated. All told, on the day of July 9, 1918, over 100 people died. The exact spot the two trains collided is a little difficult to determine, but the wreckage covered a lengthy area. Today, the area is commemorated in a sublte way. As one of the Nashville Greenways, the Metro Board of Parks and Recreation added a Wayside along the Richland Creek Greenway at a location near where the wreckage had been. The original railroad bed has been replaced with newer tracks that are built higher up. The small memorial is at a spot between bridge masonry abutments along the old line. These predate the Civil War and were built by the nearly forgotten Nashville and Northwestern Railroad. The tracks here used to cross Bosley Road, which is also long gone. A train wheel and a connector is embedded into the concrete here. A metal bar and some other miscellaneuos unsecured pieces were here the day I was. I suppose someone found them and just laid them there. A few feet from the old Bosley Road Underpass is where the tracks cross Richland Creek. The modern bridge is about 15 feet high. The old pier remains here also. A pedestrian bridge crosses Richland Creek Also, and then it's only a few more feet to the memorial. For additional views, look here.
Greetings from Smyrna Depot District This 2019 mural is located on the side of a building across Front St. from the Smyrna train depot. The mural is signed by Suzanne Lebeau and sponsored by VisitRutherfordTN.
Welcom to Bell Buckle This sign in the Middle of Bell Buckle must have been put up in the last couple of years. Here's the one it replaced: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/3142958934/ Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tiny-town-tn/ Why Everyone In Tennessee Should Visit This One Tiny Town
Greeneville TN Train Depot This depot was built by Southern Railway and is now owned by Norfolk Southern. One of the main roads into town goes under the tracks here, but if you drive to a nearby street, you are back at track level. I got out of my car and walked a short distance to get this picture. It's the only time so far a cop asked me what I was doing, but when I said I was sightseeing, the cop was cool about it.
Kingston Springs, TN Depot This depot was built by NCStL. It may have been moved a couple of times of the years, but today it is not far from where it started. The tracks are in the foreground, so the depot has at least been repositioned 90 degrees. Today the depot is privately owned and used for storage.
Erwin, TN Train Depot This depot in Erwin was a passanger station and offices for the Clinchfield Railroad. Today, it is a public library. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Orme, TN Train Depot There's no reason imaginable that anyone would want to see Orme unless you like looking for old train stations. To get to here, I started in South Pittsburg, TN and followed highway 156 as it winded up the mountain. From there, I turned onto Orme Mountain Rd. which was a gravel road that winded down the mountain. I later learned that if I drove from the other way, it's flat the entire drive and passes by Russell Cave in Alabama. The tracks are long gone and it looks as someone has turned this station which probably looked very nice in it's day into a personal residence. At one time, Orme was a huge coal mining town and had a population of thousands, but the 2000 census reports 124 in the city today. In 1902, the Sequatchie Valley Railroad built this depot and a 10 mile branch, known as the Orme Branch. The spur was completed in 1904 and connected Orme to Bridgeport, which was a major railroad hub. The tracks were removed in 1942.
Ridgetop Station Park caboose Ridgetop, TN is known for the Ridgetop tunnel, a railroad tunnel completed in 1905 which was the longest in the world. The tunnel runs under the town and is about a quarter mile from this park.
Walking Horse Railroad #345 Walking Horse Railroad is a short line railroad which connects a CSX Branch from Wartrace to Shelbyville, TN. The short line is named in honor of the Tennessee Walking Horse which is prominent in the area. The line was abandoned by Seaboard in 1985. The Bedford (County) Railroad Authority then created the Walking Horse & Eastern (WHOE) line. In 2019, it was purchase by Ironhorse which operates other short lines such as the nearby Caney Fork & Western. The line was renamed to Walking Horse Railroad (WHRR).
Arlington, TN Replica train depot Arlington, TN is a suburb of Memphis. This replica train station is located in the historic district.
Winchester, TN Passenger station The tracks are long gone from this NCStL passenger station. Today, the building is used as a local TDOT office.
CSX #486 - Wartrace, TN
New Johnsonville Care Caboose This caboose is located in front of the New Johnsonville City Hall. The area painted away used to say Park Commission Office.
Southern Railway Caboose Seen at the old train depot at Loudon, TN
Little River Railroad Co. Logo painted on the side of Dorothy, the steam locomotive at the Little River Railroad museum in Townsend, TN
Palmyra Railroad Tunnel Palmyra is a very small town southwest of Clarksville, TN. I believe it to be about 800-1000 ft. long. The old Train Tracks cross the Cumberland River in Clarksville and as it heads east is parallels the river for a while. However, near Palmyra, there is a large bluff overlooking the river and a tunnel needed to be blasted through it. There is even a cemetery above this tunnel. Today, the tracks are used by RJ Corman. They were originally built by the Memphis, Clarksville & Louisville Railroad (M.C. & L.) which eventually became part of L&N. The tracks probably flooded in the 2010 flood. in the Great Flood of 1937, the tracks were 5 feet underwater. When looking up how old the tunnel is, I found a news article from 1859 where a railroad employee died working on the tunnel. In 1928, a boulder landed on the tracks and L&N employees blasted it, which caused a large rock to fall from 25 feet above onto them. To get to this spot, take highway 149 to Jarman Hollow Rd. and go towards the river. You will pass down a short residential street and then the road makes a couple of sharp turns until it gets to the tracks. Years ago, there must have been a ferry to cross the river at this street, but it looks like you shouldn't drive any further past the tracks. I had to U-turn on the tracks, which meant it was a good thing a train didn't come while I was here.
Mid South Live Steamers - Columbia, TN Live Steamers are scale model replicas of trains, but big enough to ride. The chapter in middle Tennessee is the Mid South Live Steamers which meets at Maury County Park in Columbia, TN. They have free, open-to-the-public meets twice a year in the spring and fall. Learn more here: www.midsouthlivesteamers.com/ Or see some video from the Spring 2021 Public Meet: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfWtD5ShhNQ
Mid South Live Steamers Caboose - Columbia, TN Live Steamers are scale model replicas of trains, but big enough to ride. The chapter in middle Tennessee is the Mid South Live Steamers which meets at Maury County Park in Columbia, TN. They have free, open-to-the-public meets twice a year in the spring and fall. Learn more here: www.midsouthlivesteamers.com/ Or see some video from the Spring 2021 Public Meet: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfWtD5ShhNQ
Eva Station Railroad Trail - Mail Post In 1867, NCStL railroad built a bridge to connect the towns of Eva to Johnsonville across the Tennessee River. After the construction of Kentucky Dam (which caused this section of the Tennessee River to also be Kentucky Lake), the water level was higher and wider. The rail line was then owned by L&N and in 1945 they abandoned this bridge and built a new bridge by New Johnsonville to parallel the US70 bridge. Today, this park is an area known as Eva Beach and is under the oversight of Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. A short interpretive path has been created along the old railroad bed. The path features an old mail post, signal lights, and ends with a segment or railroad bridge. From this spot, several portions of the old bridge are visible where earthworks were built to raise the track. I also recommend the scenic overlook at NBF park to view the entire area of the river and see multiple segments.
Eva Station Railroad Trail In 1867, NCStL railroad built a bridge to connect the towns of Eva to Johnsonville across the Tennessee River. After the construction of Kentucky Dam (which caused this section of the Tennessee River to also be Kentucky Lake), the water level was higher and wider. The rail line was then owned by L&N and in 1945 they abandoned this bridge and built a new bridge by New Johnsonville to parallel the US70 bridge. Today, this park is an area known as Eva Beach and is under the oversight of Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. A short interpretive path has been created along the old railroad bed. The path features an old mail post, signal lights, and ends with a segment or railroad bridge. From this spot, several portions of the old bridge are visible where earthworks were built to raise the track. I also recommend the scenic overlook at NBF park to view the entire area of the river and see multiple segments.
Eva Station Railroad Trail - Signal Lights In 1867, NCStL railroad built a bridge to connect the towns of Eva to Johnsonville across the Tennessee River. After the construction of Kentucky Dam (which caused this section of the Tennessee River to also be Kentucky Lake), the water level was higher and wider. The rail line was then owned by L&N and in 1945 they abandoned this bridge and built a new bridge by New Johnsonville to parallel the US70 bridge. Today, this park is an area known as Eva Beach and is under the oversight of Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. A short interpretive path has been created along the old railroad bed. The path features an old mail post, signal lights, and ends with a segment or railroad bridge. From this spot, several portions of the old bridge are visible where earthworks were built to raise the track. I also recommend the scenic overlook at NBF park to view the entire area of the river and see multiple segments.
Cupola Caboose RRPX 3563 - Days Gone By Museum There is a hidden gem museum in the small town of Portland, TN which is worth the drive from Nashville. It started as a private collection of tractors, but has expanded to much more, including multiple forms of transportation: Cars (hot rods, race cars, Volkswagens, 1920s, etc.), trucks, motorcycles, fire engines, a couple of planes and a caboose. Other highlights include vintage toys, cameras, and Maytag. In addition to photos, I took a video tour of the museum, inside and out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyIQrZ9j16A If you'd like to see a gallery of many of the items on display, check my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=MidTN-Counties/Sumn...
L&N Danville Lift Bridge This bridge was built in 1931 and is the successor to two other railroad bridges built at this site. With this bridge, L&N tracks were able to cross the Tennessee River connecting Houston and Benton counties near the town of Danville. With the creation of the TVA dam and Kentucky Lake, the bridge had to be raised in 1941. The tracks also had to be raised above water level and the approaches are easily visible on both sides. The view was taken while riding on the Danville\Big Sandy\TN147 Ferry and the western approach uses the old railbed. When L&N abandoned the line, the lift portion and the structures on the Benton County side were removed. The lift was placed on a barge, floated up the Tennessee River to Bridgeport, AL and assembled there. See it here: flic.kr/p/9Wkhpr Here's a sentence not written too often: Today, this bridge is a private residence. At the far left of the picture, you can see the red roof of a house. Then, you might see the small brick structure on the second segment. I believe this is a tiny house placed on that bridge segment. Next, they added a party deck on top. Finally, they added a final open air metal segment below the tracks, which seems to be an ideal fishing spot.
Portland, TN Steam Train mural This mural, which is about a block away from the live CSX tracks in downtown Portland, features the long gone train station and a steam locomotive. It was painted by @USA_PRO_ART and sponsored by Exit Realty.
Gallatin Trains and Trolleys mural This mural from Bryan Deese is just a couple of blocks off the Gallatin town square. in his words: At the start of the 20th century few small towns in America had a transportation infrastructure equal to what could be found in Gallatin. With a passenger train service from the Louisville & Nashville Rail Road that opened in 1858 residents were able to board at Depot Square and travel anywhere in the United States. Locally, shorter trips could be taken on the Nashville Light & Railway's Nashville-Gallatin Interurban RR (trolley) from Main Street and Water Street all the way to downtown Nashville. Gallatin merchants, farmers and manufactures benefited greatly from these railroads, shipping and receiving goods daily on the freight services offered by each company. These transport options were vital to Gallatin’s growth and development during the 19th and 20th centuries. Continue reading here: www.gallatintn.gov/1901/Downtown-Murals
L&N #6162 Caboose - Wartrace, TN This caboose is located in Wartrace is a small park called Wartrace Memorial Park. This park is across the tracks from most of Wartrace, and a CSX train was going by at this moment. However, it is also across the street (highway TN269) from the historic Walking Horse Hotel. This park also has some Civil War markers and one parking space.
Jackson, TN Depot Mural This mural is in Jackson, TN about a block away from the historic NCStL Passenger Depot. It is signed by "Murals by Les." From this spot, if you turned around, perhaps this is what you would see 100 years ago. The depot is central in the mural, with steam locomotive NCStL #535 getting a water tank refill and ready to pull a couple of passenger cars. On the left is a streetcar travelling down Royal St. In the background, we see the Electo-Chalybeate Well and the Lancaster Park Zoo (now gone). Around the corner, this side of the building faces the Neely House and has a mural depicting this former boarding house.
Bartlett, TN L&N train station I don't have much info on this depot, but the owners have remembered the past by placing a caboose out back. Today the building is used as a Mexican Restaurant. On the other side of the tracks where I am standing, there is a small historic park.
Southern Railway Caboose - Niota, TN
Site of former Roundhouse - Tracy City, TN I can't find proof of this, but I think this site marking the spot of a former Roundhouse was built in 2021. If nothing else, the Old Roundhouse Park where this is located was dedicated in the summer of 2021. It's adjacent to the older Tracy City Mini-park which is downtown and faces highway US41. The park also features a couple of railroad worker statues and a wooden playground train.
Loudon, TN Train Depot This used to be the passenger station built by Southern Railway. Railroad first came to town in 1855 when a bridge spanned the Tennessee River near here and the small town was known as Blair's Ferry. After the depot was established, the town's name changed to Loudon and became the most important city in Loudon County. Today, the building houses the local chamber of commerce.
Tennessee Central #509 - Cookeville, TN Manufactured by Baldwin and originally numbered 502, this was one of eight 4-6-0 locomotives purchased by Tennessee Central in 1909. The sign notes these "Ten Wheelers" were versatile engines which suited the purpose of a small railroad which covered a diverse geography and carried a wide variety of cargo. this small rolling stock is on the grounds of Cookeville's TC depot which is a museum and located in the Cream City historic district.
Whiteside Tunnel At first glance, this appears to be the all-time least necessary railroad tunnel. It's located on the west side of Chattanooga where Nashville & Chattanooga placed tracks in 1852. The tracks run through a valley; originally walls were placed on either side but they weren't enough to withstand dirt and rock slides. Thus, 400 feet of tunnel was completed in 1858 to serve as a roof and no longer need to clear the tracks. By 1911, the one track could no longer meet the railroad needs. They cleared out a much larger area and built two sets of tracks through the area. They even had to add buttresses to the side of the existing tunnel to prevent it from making it's own rock slide onto the new tracks. Over time, the railroad here went from NC&StL to L&N and now CSX. This area is fairly easy to find. The tracks parallel highway TN134. It's in Hamilton county very close to the Marion County line. There's a one-car pulloff spot on the side of the road, but sadly most people use the spot for illegal dumping. Whiteside is the nearest post office, so this is called the Whiteside Tunnel, although sometimes has been called the Raccoon Mountain Tunnel. source: books.google.com/books?id=tqVMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1018&...
Train (seen from White Bridge in Nashville) The old White Bridge from where White Bridge Rd. gets its name is now a pedestrian bridge crossing the tracks and Richland Creek. The tracks here still get plenty of traffic, such as this train carrying mostly intermodal containers. This spot is roughly a mile from Dutchman's Curve, site of the US deadliest train disaster.
Cookeville Proud Mural Located on the side of the Cookeville History Museum, which is located on Broad St. between the courthouse square and the Cream City Depot District.
L&N Depot neon sign - Knoxville, TN The old L&N Station located at World's Fair Park in Downtown Knoxville doesn't service passenger trains anymore. However, the buiding is still in use for retail shops and the old neon sign still works
Doc. The L&N LeprechauN I love this. it combines the two things Erin was known for, it's Irish Heritage and it's placement as a railroad stop on the line that used to run from Memphis to Clarksville The city of Erin was initially inhabited by Irish laborers working to construct the railroad and the city has remembered its Irish heritage. When the railroad completely pulled out, the town decided to construct a park in the heart of town where the tracks used to be. This park is Betsy Ligon Park. Among the things you can see in the park are a blue L&N Boxcar and Red L&N Caboose (both seen in the background) and a picnic pavilion made to look like a train depot. I think the highlight here is Doc the leprechaun. He's wearing an L&N Logoed cap, with rail worker overalls and gloves. He also has the leprechaun shoes and socks with a clover on his front. UPDATE: I saw an older picture of doc, and he used to hold a light in his right hand, but that lantern is missing right now.
Union Station (2022) - Nashville, TN en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Nashville)
Union Station and Nashville's Gulch en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Nashville)
Union Station - Gulch Greenway View 2022 - Nashville, TN This is the view of Union Station from the recently completed Gulch Greenway. This greenway connects Broadway to Frankie Pierce Park. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Nashville)
Autumn on Brotherton Mountain I'm not sure if there's actually a Brotherton Mountain, but this view was seen along Brotherton Mountain Road which runs between Cookeville and Monterey in Putnam County, TN. The train tracks are operational but not used often. The line was originally created by Tennessee Central in a failed effort to connect Nashville to Knoxville, but they never got too far past Monterey. The tracks currently belong to Nashville & Eastern Railroad (NERR), a short line owned by RJ Corman.
Abandoned Railroad Overpass - South Pittsburg, TN Perhaps most people who visit South Pittsburg Municipal Park don't pay attention to this structure, but it's not obvious what it is at first glance. One set of train tracks crossed over the top of the structure while other tracks went through the tunnel. All the tracks are now gone, so there's not much evidence of railroad activity which used to be here. The only remaining evidence I can see is bridge piers which cross the mouth of Battle Creek right where it meets the Tennessee River. Those tracks would have gone over this structure, then run north to parallel the Tennessee River. One of these lines belonged to Sequatchie Valley Railroad (SQVR) and you can read more about them here: www.historicsouthpittsburgtn.org/SequatchieValleyRailroad... Portions of this line still run from Jasper, TN to Bridgeport, AL through a relocated spot in South Pittsburg with a new name of Sequatchie Valley Switching Company (SQSC). The other line belonged to Southern Railway as they attempted a line from Chattanooga to Stevenson, AL. With a lack of funds, this project was abandoned in 1909.
Chattanooga Choo Choo Christmas I happened to be at the Chattanooga Choo Choo as they were finishing the Christmas decorations on the train. This Mogul type 2-6-0 is Baldwin 34964 built in 1904 for Genesee & Wyoming. It is decorated as Cincinnati Southern #29, but was never used by this railroad. (Cincinnati Southern did however terminate in Chattanooga.) It was used by multiple companies but then sold to a Tennessee company in 1937. In 1961, it became part of Rebel Railroad - a train themed tourist attraction which eventually became Dollywood. I'm not sure when it made it to the Choo Choo, but I first saw it in 1994, I think.
Christmas at the Chattanooga Choo Choo The historic Chattanooga Choo Choo, the former train station which is now a hotel, has now setup their 2022 Christmas Tree. It is located in the middle of the most prominent building, the Grand Terminal. The tree is directly underneath the large dome, so this view is only possible with a wide angle lens.
Tennessee Central Caboose 11744 - Monterey, TN This caboose is located at the Monterey Depot Museum in Eastern Putnam County. On the day I took this photo in 2022, it was behind a fence as the build a ramp for the visitors. Tennessee Central was headquartered in Nashville - that property is now a museum. They occasionally run excursions all the way to Monterey.
Cumberland Gap, TN Train Depot This passenger train station originally built by L&N has been relocated about 500 feet from the tracks. Today, the building is used as a gift shop known as Gertie's Commissary. Cumberland Gap is a nice town to spend a day looking at the local train history. The main line has an 1889 tunnel through the mountains: flic.kr/p/2ju4ALp a couple of years later, a spur line was created to Harrogate, but has since been abandoned. This has been converted to a walking trail which includes two old bridges getting converted to covered bridges, plus a tunnel which is part of the trail: flic.kr/p/2hVaAMe
Town of Smyrna Christmas Tree 2022 I was setting up my shot when conveniently CSX #548 sped down the tracks for me. Every year, the town of Smyrna places Christmas decorations at the historic train station in the middle of town. This year, they have a large Christmas tree without ornaments except for the tall star on top. This year, as a great photo op they have an oversized ornament with several chairs inside. The depot itself has been adorned with wreaths and the street lights have been adorned with large snowflake lights.
NW Caboose - Collegedale, TN Norfolk & Western Caboose #518673 has been on display for over 15 years at a small city park in Collegedale, TN. The playground here has a train theme which is represented by the small logo on the left, Collegedale Express - Imagination Station.
Little River Railroad water tower I assume this is a replica made for the Little River Railroad museum in Townsend, TN
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway - Coming and Going It looks dark here, but the new cars installed in 202 have a clear roof so the passengers can see up above. The operator is in the green shirt in the left window and is waving to me. From Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookout_Mountain_Incline_Railway The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is a 4 ft. 8+1⁄2 in. standard gauge inclined plane funicular railway leading to the top of Lookout Mountain from the historic St. Elmo neighborhood of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Passengers are transported from St. Elmo's Station at the base, to Point Park at the mountain summit, which overlooks the city and the Tennessee River. It is just a short drive to three of Chattanooga's main tourist attractions, Ruby Falls, Cavern Castle, and Rock City. The railway is approximately one mile in length (single-track except for a short two-track passing loop at the midway point, allowing operation of two cars at one time). It has a maximum grade of 72.7%, making it one of the world's steepest passenger railways. It obtained Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark status in 1991. The cable system for the cars was made by the Otis Elevator Company. History: The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway (Incline No. 2) was opened on November 16, 1895, by the Chattanooga Incline and Lula Lake Railway and functions as a major mode of transportation to the top of the mountain. It was the second of two inclines constructed on Lookout Mountain; the first was the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain Railway (Incline No. 1), which operated from 1886 to 1895 and dismantled in 1900. Service was disrupted twice by fires that destroyed the powerhouse, upper station and cars stored there overnight (the first fire occurring on December 13, 1896, and the second on March 24, 1919). Both fires put the railway temporarily out of service, substitute service being provided by the Chattanooga Railway and Light Company's Lookout Mountain route. The railway was sold in the 1940s to Southern Coach Lines and is now operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the area's public transit agency. The Incline Railway is a well-known and beloved Chattanooga landmark; the railway has been depicted in numerous regional and national publications, including being on TV. The railway is one of the main tourist attractions in the Chattanooga area, totaling over 100,000 visits annually. The top station features an observation deck and a gift shop.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway - Meeting at the Middle The incline shares tracks most of the way, but the tracks split in the middle so the two cars can pass each other. Below the midpoint, there are two rails. Above the midpoint, there are three rails - if there were only two, the cables in the middle would rub each other. At the middle, there are four rails so the two can pass. In the middle, there is a small platform for a track switch in case there's ever a problem. From Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookout_Mountain_Incline_Railway The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is a 4 ft. 8+1⁄2 in. standard gauge inclined plane funicular railway leading to the top of Lookout Mountain from the historic St. Elmo neighborhood of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Passengers are transported from St. Elmo's Station at the base, to Point Park at the mountain summit, which overlooks the city and the Tennessee River. It is just a short drive to three of Chattanooga's main tourist attractions, Ruby Falls, Cavern Castle, and Rock City. The railway is approximately one mile in length (single-track except for a short two-track passing loop at the midway point, allowing operation of two cars at one time). It has a maximum grade of 72.7%, making it one of the world's steepest passenger railways. It obtained Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark status in 1991. The cable system for the cars was made by the Otis Elevator Company. History: The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway (Incline No. 2) was opened on November 16, 1895, by the Chattanooga Incline and Lula Lake Railway and functions as a major mode of transportation to the top of the mountain. It was the second of two inclines constructed on Lookout Mountain; the first was the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain Railway (Incline No. 1), which operated from 1886 to 1895 and dismantled in 1900. Service was disrupted twice by fires that destroyed the powerhouse, upper station and cars stored there overnight (the first fire occurring on December 13, 1896, and the second on March 24, 1919). Both fires put the railway temporarily out of service, substitute service being provided by the Chattanooga Railway and Light Company's Lookout Mountain route. The railway was sold in the 1940s to Southern Coach Lines and is now operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the area's public transit agency. The Incline Railway is a well-known and beloved Chattanooga landmark; the railway has been depicted in numerous regional and national publications, including being on TV. The railway is one of the main tourist attractions in the Chattanooga area, totaling over 100,000 visits annually. The top station features an observation deck and a gift shop.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway - Near the steepest part At the bottom right is an old yellow sign with an advertisement for the Incline. Another view has the same sign but in much worse condition. There's also a Danger / No Trespassing sign on the pole. Several of the passengers are waving to me. From Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookout_Mountain_Incline_Railway The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is a 4 ft. 8+1⁄2 in. standard gauge inclined plane funicular railway leading to the top of Lookout Mountain from the historic St. Elmo neighborhood of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Passengers are transported from St. Elmo's Station at the base, to Point Park at the mountain summit, which overlooks the city and the Tennessee River. It is just a short drive to three of Chattanooga's main tourist attractions, Ruby Falls, Cavern Castle, and Rock City. The railway is approximately one mile in length (single-track except for a short two-track passing loop at the midway point, allowing operation of two cars at one time). It has a maximum grade of 72.7%, making it one of the world's steepest passenger railways. It obtained Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark status in 1991. The cable system for the cars was made by the Otis Elevator Company. History: The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway (Incline No. 2) was opened on November 16, 1895, by the Chattanooga Incline and Lula Lake Railway and functions as a major mode of transportation to the top of the mountain. It was the second of two inclines constructed on Lookout Mountain; the first was the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain Railway (Incline No. 1), which operated from 1886 to 1895 and dismantled in 1900. Service was disrupted twice by fires that destroyed the powerhouse, upper station and cars stored there overnight (the first fire occurring on December 13, 1896, and the second on March 24, 1919). Both fires put the railway temporarily out of service, substitute service being provided by the Chattanooga Railway and Light Company's Lookout Mountain route. The railway was sold in the 1940s to Southern Coach Lines and is now operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the area's public transit agency. The Incline Railway is a well-known and beloved Chattanooga landmark; the railway has been depicted in numerous regional and national publications, including being on TV. The railway is one of the main tourist attractions in the Chattanooga area, totaling over 100,000 visits annually. The top station features an observation deck and a gift shop.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway A passenger waves to me while the operator is in the window in a green shirt. In the background is a decades-old, white faded rectangular sign which reads, "Ride the incline for a Panoramic View of Chattanooga" The train cars get replaced every about 15 years and I think this one was placed in service in 2020. From Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookout_Mountain_Incline_Railway The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is a 4 ft. 8+1⁄2 in. standard gauge inclined plane funicular railway leading to the top of Lookout Mountain from the historic St. Elmo neighborhood of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Passengers are transported from St. Elmo's Station at the base, to Point Park at the mountain summit, which overlooks the city and the Tennessee River. It is just a short drive to three of Chattanooga's main tourist attractions, Ruby Falls, Cavern Castle, and Rock City. The railway is approximately one mile in length (single-track except for a short two-track passing loop at the midway point, allowing operation of two cars at one time). It has a maximum grade of 72.7%, making it one of the world's steepest passenger railways. It obtained Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark status in 1991. The cable system for the cars was made by the Otis Elevator Company. History: The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway (Incline No. 2) was opened on November 16, 1895, by the Chattanooga Incline and Lula Lake Railway and functions as a major mode of transportation to the top of the mountain. It was the second of two inclines constructed on Lookout Mountain; the first was the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain Railway (Incline No. 1), which operated from 1886 to 1895 and dismantled in 1900. Service was disrupted twice by fires that destroyed the powerhouse, upper station and cars stored there overnight (the first fire occurring on December 13, 1896, and the second on March 24, 1919). Both fires put the railway temporarily out of service, substitute service being provided by the Chattanooga Railway and Light Company's Lookout Mountain route. The railway was sold in the 1940s to Southern Coach Lines and is now operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the area's public transit agency. The Incline Railway is a well-known and beloved Chattanooga landmark; the railway has been depicted in numerous regional and national publications, including being on TV. The railway is one of the main tourist attractions in the Chattanooga area, totaling over 100,000 visits annually. The top station features an observation deck and a gift shop.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway - by the old stop To the right of the train car is a partially visible old stone building with an arch doorway. This is an old stop along the way which dates back to when the incline's primary purpose was local transportation instead of tourism. According to legend, if you can find your way here, or the newer metal platform on the other side of the tracks (barely visible), the operator will stop the train and ask if you need a ride. From Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookout_Mountain_Incline_Railway The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is a 4 ft. 8+1⁄2 in. standard gauge inclined plane funicular railway leading to the top of Lookout Mountain from the historic St. Elmo neighborhood of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Passengers are transported from St. Elmo's Station at the base, to Point Park at the mountain summit, which overlooks the city and the Tennessee River. It is just a short drive to three of Chattanooga's main tourist attractions, Ruby Falls, Cavern Castle, and Rock City. The railway is approximately one mile in length (single-track except for a short two-track passing loop at the midway point, allowing operation of two cars at one time). It has a maximum grade of 72.7%, making it one of the world's steepest passenger railways. It obtained Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark status in 1991. The cable system for the cars was made by the Otis Elevator Company. History: The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway (Incline No. 2) was opened on November 16, 1895, by the Chattanooga Incline and Lula Lake Railway and functions as a major mode of transportation to the top of the mountain. It was the second of two inclines constructed on Lookout Mountain; the first was the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain Railway (Incline No. 1), which operated from 1886 to 1895 and dismantled in 1900. Service was disrupted twice by fires that destroyed the powerhouse, upper station and cars stored there overnight (the first fire occurring on December 13, 1896, and the second on March 24, 1919). Both fires put the railway temporarily out of service, substitute service being provided by the Chattanooga Railway and Light Company's Lookout Mountain route. The railway was sold in the 1940s to Southern Coach Lines and is now operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the area's public transit agency. The Incline Railway is a well-known and beloved Chattanooga landmark; the railway has been depicted in numerous regional and national publications, including being on TV. The railway is one of the main tourist attractions in the Chattanooga area, totaling over 100,000 visits annually. The top station features an observation deck and a gift shop.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway - Close to meeting In this view, you can see the cables which come out of the front of the incline cars. This cable operates the system as a motor moves the cable at the top. It is a fixed length - as one car is raised, the other car is lowered. From Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookout_Mountain_Incline_Railway The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is a 4 ft. 8+1⁄2 in. standard gauge inclined plane funicular railway leading to the top of Lookout Mountain from the historic St. Elmo neighborhood of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Passengers are transported from St. Elmo's Station at the base, to Point Park at the mountain summit, which overlooks the city and the Tennessee River. It is just a short drive to three of Chattanooga's main tourist attractions, Ruby Falls, Cavern Castle, and Rock City. The railway is approximately one mile in length (single-track except for a short two-track passing loop at the midway point, allowing operation of two cars at one time). It has a maximum grade of 72.7%, making it one of the world's steepest passenger railways. It obtained Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark status in 1991. The cable system for the cars was made by the Otis Elevator Company. History: The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway (Incline No. 2) was opened on November 16, 1895, by the Chattanooga Incline and Lula Lake Railway and functions as a major mode of transportation to the top of the mountain. It was the second of two inclines constructed on Lookout Mountain; the first was the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain Railway (Incline No. 1), which operated from 1886 to 1895 and dismantled in 1900. Service was disrupted twice by fires that destroyed the powerhouse, upper station and cars stored there overnight (the first fire occurring on December 13, 1896, and the second on March 24, 1919). Both fires put the railway temporarily out of service, substitute service being provided by the Chattanooga Railway and Light Company's Lookout Mountain route. The railway was sold in the 1940s to Southern Coach Lines and is now operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the area's public transit agency. The Incline Railway is a well-known and beloved Chattanooga landmark; the railway has been depicted in numerous regional and national publications, including being on TV. The railway is one of the main tourist attractions in the Chattanooga area, totaling over 100,000 visits annually. The top station features an observation deck and a gift shop.
Niota, TN Train Depot The Niota Depot is the oldest surviving train depot in Tennessee. It was constructed in 1854 as part of the East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad. At the time, Niota was known as Mouse Creek. Today, the depot serves as the Niota city hall. The Depot still has the original gun ports used by both the Union and Confederate Armies during the Civil War. Niota is located in McMinn County, just north of Athens. Back when the town was named Mouse Creek, there was another city on the other side of Knoxville known as Mossy Creek. With the similar town names, it wasn't uncommon for mail to get delivered to the wrong town. In 1897, there was a prominent wedding in town where the families had ordered a lot of ice cream for the guests, but was delivered to the wrong town. This was the last straw and both towns changed their name. Niota was the name of an Indian chief. (Mossy Creek became Jefferson City.) 2015 Update from the Tennessee Preservation Trust: The building was listed on the Tennessee Preservation Trust’s 2009 “Ten in Tenn” list, after which it received the attention and repairs to consider the property saved. Then in July of 2015, a collapse of one of the chimneys caused a partial ceiling collapse and the building was subsequently condemned. Home to Niota City Hall, the City of Niota currently does not have the necessary funds to repair the damage. If the building is not reoccupied by the city, it will be forfeited back to the railroad and likely torn down.
NCStL Section House - DeRossett, TN This 1904 house is on the National Register of Historic Places as the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway Section House. A section house is a residence provided by the company for employees who were building the railroad in this area. Very few of these houses remain today. It is located along US70(TN1) in the small White county town of DeRossett and is today known as the Bon Air Coal Miner Railroad Mountain Museum. It's also stop #79 of the Promised Land Trail of the Tennessee Trails and Byways program.
Cumberland Gap pedestrian bridge A major railroad tunnel was built in 1889 to connect Cumberland Gap, TN to Middlesboro, KY. A couple years after that, a spur line was constructed to connect Cumberland Gap to Harrogate. The tracks to Harrogate have long been abandoned and was converted to a pedestrian trail. The covered bridge seen here, plus another and a 1200 foot long tunnel are part of this path. The start of this trail is just to the right of this picture, and then makes a 150 ft. loop to cross the bridge above. Continue on for another 500 ft. to get to the other bridge. Beyond that, it's another 1500 ft. to the old railroad tunnel. This bridge crosses Gap Creek.
Cumberland Gap pedestrian bridge A major railroad tunnel was built in 1889 to connect Cumberland Gap, TN to Middlesboro, KY. A couple years after that, a spur line was constructed to connect Cumberland Gap to Harrogate. The tracks to Harrogate have long been abandoned and was converted to a pedestrian trail. The covered bridge seen here, plus another and a 1200 foot long tunnel are part of this path. The start of the path is about 600 feet to the right and crosses another bridge before arriving here. Continue the trail to the left where it's another 1500 ft. to the old railroad tunnel. The road below is the major entrance into town, formerly US. Highway 25E, but was rerouted with a tunnel.
1925 Railroad Bridge at Frankie Pierce Park This photo was made in May 2023. A couple months later, the entire interior became a large mural of many prominent local musicians. See both sides of that mural at these links: flic.kr/p/2pgu7L8 flic.kr/p/2pgyDYp Details on the bridge: It was built by L&N railroad (today CSX) in 1925 for one track to cross over Gay Street. It is a closed spandrel arch bridge with 5 concrete arches. There are beams which run between the arches which create the horizontal lines. I'm not sure what the beams are made of. The railroad tracks form a Y here at the end of the gulch, so there are two train bridges near each other for three consecutive streets. (The other bridge is visible off in the distance.) Although it's downtown, it's corporately undevelopable space so turning it into a park was a great idea. While the parallel streets (Nelson Merry and Josephine Holloway (aka Jo Johnston)) are open to traffic, Gay St. is now closed to traffic here, and is instead part of Nashville's Gulch Greenway.
Union Station and 2023 Broadway Viaduct Replacement In the Summer of 2023, the downtown Nashville Broadway Bridge which crossed the gulch train tracks was completely rebuilt by TDOT. From my office, I had a great view and followed their progress. I don't think they ever replaced the piers of the tiny strip which remained, but only replaced the entire deck. Of all the days I watched, This was the day with the largest amount of the bridge removed, which lets us see more of Union Station. The entire time, the tracks remained live. Here's the same view from a year prior. flic.kr/p/2nzRrEd I suppose I need a completed bridge view next summer.
Railroad Crossing - Erin, TN The town of Erin remembers it's railroad heritage even though the tracks have long since been removed. This area is now Betsy Ligon Park.
Shay Engine #2147 - Townsend, TN Dorothy is the main attraction at the Little River Railroad Museum in Townsend, TN. The name Dorothy wasn't given until the museum opened. Accoding to the sign: Engine #2147 is a 70-ton Class-C Shay locomotive built in 1909. Shay engines are a special kind of locomotive specifically made to pull heavy loads up steep hills and around sharp curves. This was done on very rough tracks, meant to only last for a year or two until an area's lumber was gone. Unlike a conventional steam locomotive where the wheels are connected directly to the engine with long steel rods, Shays used a series of gears to power every wheel. This allowed for the "beating" infliced upon rails by rods to be eliminated and for the locomotive to gain more traction, at the cost of speed. #2147 was built in Lima Locomotive Works in Ohio for the Babcock Lumber Co. in Tellico Plains. It worked for the Little River Lumber Co. between 1932 and 1935. By 1965 it was being used on a scenic railroad in North Carolina as a part source to maintain two other Shays. In 1982 it was returned to Townsend and was the first item on the Museum site. #2147 is the last remaining Shay engine from the Little River to not be wrecked or scrapped.
Three Rivers Rambler #150 - Knoxville, TN #150 is named in honor of John Henry and features a logo of him in the circle by the side windows. This is a 25-ton GE unit built in 1943 as a switch engine for Bethlehem Steel. Over the years, it also belonged to Toledo, Angola & Western, and then Lauirnburg & Southern until it was purchased by Three Rivers Rambler in 2015. Three Rivers Rambler is an excursion train in Knoxville, This locomotive is by their modern depot by the University Commons area on the west side of the UT campus.
Tennessee Valley Railroad #610 Full story here: www.tvrail.com/equipment/us-army-610/ Highlights: 2-8-0 Steam Train built by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton in March 1952 Built for the U.S. Army at Fort Eustis Military Railroad in Virginia. Built as a prototype, no others of this class ever built. Retired from Army service in the late 1960s. Donated to the National Railway Historical Society in Dothan, AL. Then donated to TVRM in 1978. TVRM began restoration in 1987 to 1990. Cosmetically altered at that time. Operated as an excursion train for 20 years until 2010. Now in storage needing another major restoration. This photo is already 10 years old. At the time, it is parked right next to the TVRM mechanic shop in East Chattanooga. Perhaps it has moved, but this area is visible to anyone who takes the TVRM Missionary Ridge Local to see the shop.
Resilience and Reverie - Nashville, TN One of the newest murals in Nashville, Resilience and Reverie was spray painted by Eric "Mobe" Bass @mobeoner and completed in Nov. 2023. I really like this one. It's located at Frankie Pierce Park on the side of a 1925 CSX railroad bridge which crosses Gay St. Notice the black widow spider on the far right?
Temporary location for ATSF 999814 Caboose - Lebanon, TN This was an unexpected find on a recent visit through Lebanon. As I googled it, I found this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yRhQFGeays for the quick explanation: There's an upcoming music venue with a train theme nearby with an old building under refurbishment. They are going to purchase three cabooses to add to the property and this is the first. They are going to refurbish this caboose in this empty lot, then move it to the property to become a green room for musicians. The Venue is called the Freight Yard. thefreightyard.net/ also in the video. They will also get a flatbed train car to use as a pedestrian bridge to span a creek at this spot. There's also a nice steam train mural already on the inside. 999814 is a class CE-11 wide vision cupola caboose built for ATSF in 1981 by the International Car Company model M930. They were the last cabooses built for ATSF as cabooses were eliminated from their line 3 years later. 814 was last used by Alamo Gulf Coast Railroad.
CSX Tennessee River Bridge - Knoxville, TN This bridge was built in 1934 by Louisville & Nashville and reconditioned in 1966. The original piers were built in 1892 by Marietta & North Georgia Railroad but had concrete extensions added to raise the height. The main span is a Polygonal Warren through truss with a length of 280 ft and a total length of 1051 ft. This is the most convenient view of the bridge taken from Scottish Pike Park on the south side of the Tennessee River. On the north side, the bridge also crosses Neyland Dr. (US11) and more train tracks. If you look closely Knoxville and Holston River Railroad KXHR 2002 is along those tracks.
Chattanooga Choo Choo Caboose This caboose is on the grounds of the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel. The photo was taken in late 2022 when there was some upheaval on the property as many of the older cars were in disrepair and had to be removed. This Cupola caboose is otherwise unnumbered.
Chuckey, TN Train Depot Chuckey is a small unincorporated community in Greene County, TN. This depot was built in 1906 for use by Southern Railway. There was an AP story written in the last month that some preservationists in nearby Jonesborough are looking to either partner with the residents of Chuckey to restore the depot or move it to Jonesborough.
Southern Railway - Chattanooga The Southern Railway office building was built in 1924 along Market Street in downtown Chattanooga, not far from the Terminal Station. It was in use until 1983 when Southern merged with Norfolk to become Norfolk Southern. The building was vacant for a while, but a few years ago was converted to apartments.
CSX 7209 at Frankie Pierce Park - Nashville, TN Just the Frankie Pierce mural: flic.kr/p/2pHqDgt The railroad tracks form a Y here at the end of the gulch, so there are two train bridges near each other for three consecutive streets. Although it's downtown (The Capitol is visible in the background), it's corporately undevelopable space so turning it into a park was a great idea. The 6 bridges at this park were built by L&N railroad (today CSX) in 1925 as one track here crosses over Nelson Merry St.
Southern X574 Caboose - Oliver Springs, TN This caboose is located at the 1893 Oliver Springs train station which is today used as a library. Seen here: flic.kr/p/2pFTSEP This bay window caboose was built for Southern Railroad in June 1971 and has been at this location over 20 years. Southern's cabooses in the X500's were built by Gantt Manufacturing in Greeneville, SC.
Imagination Station Boxcar - Collegedale, TN This is located at Imagination Station, a park next to City Hall in Collegedale, TN. This park has a playground barely visible on the left, plus a Pickleball court surrounded by some train cars. The seating here is to view that court.
Trolley Car @ The Chattanooga Choo Choo This trolley car was originally built in 1924 by Pearly Thomas Car Works of High Point, NC. The trolley operated along the Canal Street Line in New Orleans until 1960. It Came to Chattanooga when the Choo Choo opened as a hotel in 1973. It runs most every day giving guests a tour of the complex. During the down hours, the crew works to restore and refurbish the trolley.
Southern Terminal - Knoxville This view of the depot was taken along Central St. Southern Railway was formed in the 1890s at the merging of two railroad companies. In 1902, Southern hired architect Frank Pierce Milburn to design new train stations at several of their major terminals. Two years later, the Southern Terminal opened in Knoxville. Many warehouses and factories surrounded this area because of its important shipping routes. The station looks today much the same as it did in 1904, except a large clock tower was removed in 1945 wen deemed structurally unsafe. The last passenger train came through in 1970. Today, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places as the integral part of The Southern Terminal and Warehouse District, an area which is today known as Old City. This passenger station and the freight depot next door are designed in a similar style with Classical Revival influence. Most notable is the corbel-stepped gabled roof.
Southern Terminal - Knoxville This view was taken from the 2006 Gay St. Viaduct. There are 11 tracks here at its widest point. Southern Railway was formed in the 1890s at the merging of two railroad companies. In 1902, Southern hired architect Frank Pierce Milburn to design new train stations at several of their major terminals. Two years later, the Southern Terminal opened in Knoxville. Many warehouses and factories surrounded this area because of its important shipping routes. The station looks today much the same as it did in 1904, except a large clock tower was removed in 1945 wen deemed structurally unsafe. The last passenger train came through in 1970. Today, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places as the integral part of The Southern Terminal and Warehouse District, an area which is today known as Old City. This passenger station and the freight depot next door are designed in a similar style with Classical Revival influence. Most notable is the corbel-stepped gabled roof.
L&N Topiary - Etowah, TN Topiary is the art of turning shrubs into specific shapes. The shrubs at the historic train station in Etowah, TN are grown into the name of the railroad which made this an important stop.
Town of Wartrace, TN Mural Signed by @offthewallmuralsTN Ryan Frizzell @ Megan Armes April 2022. The mural is located at Winnette Ayers Recreational Park in Wartrace. The Steam Locomotive has a serial number of 1858 which was the year the town was incorporated.
Dinky Stop - Aetna, TN Aetna is a small town along highway 48 south of Centerville.
Hohenwald Depot Hohenwald was settled by German immigrants. The name translates to "High Forest." The original 1896 NC&StL Hohenwald Depot has been restored to its original appearance. As one of the first buildings constructed in the town, the Depot welcomed the new settlers. Later, it witnessed visits from Thomas Edison (coming to the region to find Cobalt) and William Wrigley, as well as served as a work site for German prisoners of war from Rommel’s African Corps during WWII. This Depot was moved several times over the years but returned to its original location and restored in 1985.
The Chattanooga Choo-Choo of Death! In downtown Chattanooga, TN, located inside the northern terminal for the free electric shuttle, known as CARTA, is a series of 7 3D art / paintings focusing on local attractions. This image represents the famed Chattanooga choo-choo. I am only kidding about the "of death!" part because the spikes were added to prevent birds from perching there. Here are links to all seven images, if you want to see the others. Lookout Mountain Rock City Ruby Falls Incline Railway Chattanooga Choo-Choo Bluff View Arts District The Electric Shuttle
Bemberg Train Station The American Bemberg Co. was a factory in Elizabethton to manufacture Rayon. The East Tennessee & Western North Carolina ("Tweetsie") Railroad built this depot to service the Bemberg plant. The name Bemberg was etched into the side of the building but is now covered by the awning.
Hohenwald Caboose Between the Hohenwald Depot and the Lewis Co. Natural History Museum. It had been repainted since the previous time I was here, about 3 years earlier. There's also a gray boxcar there.
Erin, TN Caboose and Boxcar The city of Erin was initially inhabited by Irish laborers working to construct the railroad and the city has remembered its Irish heritage. When the railroad completely pulled out, the town decided to construct a park in the heart of town where the tracks used to be. This park is Betsy Ligon Park. Among the things you can see in the park are a blue L&N Boxcar and Red L&N Caboose (both seen here) and a picnic pavilion made to look like a train depot, and Doc the Leprechaun.
Chattanooga Choo-Choo Originally known as Chattanooga's Terminal Station, this formerly important Passenger train depot now serves as a popular hotel. The station was built in 1908 and the centerpiece of the building was a large concourse. (Inside is a large dome. In 1970, train service stopped and a few years later it became the Chattanooga Choo-Choo hotel. The large concourse is today the main lobby. On top of the building is the famous sign. Here is the sign at night.
Old White Bridge and Train Many Nashvillians have driven White Bridge Road on the southwest side of town, but this is the White Bridge the road was named after. Cars don't drive over the bridge anymore as today White Bridge Road meets up with Woodmont Blvd at West End. White Bridge was engineered by Howard Jones who also also engineered the Shelby Street Bridge. When it was constructed in 1913, it was an important link across the railroad and Richland Creek. Not too long ago, the long unused bridge was made a part of the Richland Creek Greenway. Also accessble from this greenway is the site of the Great Train Wreck of 1918 when two trains collided on the tracks about a mile from here.
Dorothy at Little River Railroad Dorothy is a Shay 2147 (Class C, 70 ton) locomotive built in 1909. It is displayed prominently at the Little River Railroad museum in Townsend, TN. It was bought by LRR in 1916 and used until it wrecked in 1931. Little River Railroad's primary purpose was to haul timber from Maryville to Elkmont. They continued until the late 30's when they sold their timber land to be part of the Smoky Mountain National Park. www.littleriverrailroad.org/ The name Dorothy wasn't given until after the museum opened in the early 80s
Cheekwood: Trains! 6 chessie around the bend Trains! Tennessee in G is an exhbit at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, TN running now through Dec. 2011. The Trains! exhibit is a unique blending of model trains and some of Tennessee's most iconic locations. The Garden Train exhibit was designed by Paul Busse of Applied Imagination of Alexandria, KY. Each of the buildings was designed using nature itself, such as sticks, twigs, tree bark, etc... The landscaping consists of over 2,500 tiny trees, shrubs and plants of over 250 varieties. There were seven different model trains running, a Southern Crescent passenger train, a Southern coal train, Chessie freight, Tweetsie Railroad, V&T RR, Thomas the Tank Engine and the Ladybug! I have a good sampling of the exhibit uploaded on flickr, but you can see all the photos on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=nashville/cheekwood...
Cheekwood: Trains! 2 Chester Inn and Chessie Trains! Tennessee in G is an exhbit at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, TN running now through Dec. 2011. The Trains! exhibit is a unique blending of model trains and some of Tennessee's most iconic locations. The Garden Train exhibit was designed by Paul Busse of Applied Imagination of Alexandria, KY. Each of the buildings was designed using nature itself, such as sticks, twigs, tree bark, etc... The landscaping consists of over 2,500 tiny trees, shrubs and plants of over 250 varieties. There were seven different model trains running, a Southern Crescent passenger train, a Southern coal train, Chessie freight, Tweetsie Railroad, V&T RR, Thomas the Tank Engine and the Ladybug! I have a good sampling of the exhibit uploaded on flickr, but you can see all the photos on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=nashville/cheekwood...
Cheekwood: Trains! 8 Beale Street and Tweetsie Three buildings of Beale Street are represented here: The Daisy Theater, King's Palace Restaurant and A. Schwab's Dry Goods Store. Trains! Tennessee in G is an exhbit at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, TN running now through Dec. 2011. The Trains! exhibit is a unique blending of model trains and some of Tennessee's most iconic locations. The Garden Train exhibit was designed by Paul Busse of Applied Imagination of Alexandria, KY. Each of the buildings was designed using nature itself, such as sticks, twigs, tree bark, etc... The landscaping consists of over 2,500 tiny trees, shrubs and plants of over 250 varieties. There were seven different model trains running, a Southern Crescent passenger train, a Southern coal train, Chessie freight, Tweetsie Railroad, V&T RR, Thomas the Tank Engine and the Ladybug! I have a good sampling of the exhibit uploaded on flickr, but you can see all the photos on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=nashville/cheekwood...
Cheekwood: Trains! 5 Parthenon and Chessie Trains! Tennessee in G is an exhbit at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, TN running now through Dec. 2011. The Trains! exhibit is a unique blending of model trains and some of Tennessee's most iconic locations. The Garden Train exhibit was designed by Paul Busse of Applied Imagination of Alexandria, KY. Each of the buildings was designed using nature itself, such as sticks, twigs, tree bark, etc... The landscaping consists of over 2,500 tiny trees, shrubs and plants of over 250 varieties. There were seven different model trains running, a Southern Crescent passenger train, a Southern coal train, Chessie freight, Tweetsie Railroad, V&T RR, Thomas the Tank Engine and the Ladybug! I have a good sampling of the exhibit uploaded on flickr, but you can see all the photos on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=nashville/cheekwood...
Cheekwood: Trains! 4 York Mill and V&T RR Trains! Tennessee in G is an exhibit at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, TN running now through Dec. 2011. The Trains! exhibit is a unique blending of model trains and some of Tennessee's most iconic locations. The Garden Train exhibit was designed by Paul Busse of Applied Imagination of Alexandria, KY. Each of the buildings was designed using nature itself, such as sticks, twigs, tree bark, etc... The landscaping consists of over 2,500 tiny trees, shrubs and plants of over 250 varieties. There were seven different model trains running, a Southern Crescent passenger train, a Southern coal train, Chessie freight, Tweetsie Railroad, V&T RR, Thomas the Tank Engine and the Ladybug! I have a good sampling of the exhibit uploaded on flickr, but you can see all the photos on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=nashville/cheekwood...
Cheekwood: Trains! 1 State Capitol and Southern Trains! Tennessee in G is an exhbit at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, TN running now through Dec. 2011. The Trains! exhibit is a unique blending of model trains and some of Tennessee's most iconic locations. The Garden Train exhibit was designed by Paul Busse of Applied Imagination of Alexandria, KY. Each of the buildings was designed using nature itself, such as sticks, twigs, tree bark, etc... The landscaping consists of over 2,500 tiny trees, shrubs and plants of over 250 varieties. There were seven different model trains running, a Southern Crescent passenger train, a Southern coal train, Chessie freight, Tweetsie Railroad, V&T RR, Thomas the Tank Engine and the Ladybug! I have a good sampling of the exhibit uploaded on flickr, but you can see all the photos on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=nashville/cheekwood...
Cowan, TN Depot Days Cowan Depot Days is a yearly town festival to help raise money to preserve and restore the town's historic passenger train depot. All of the acts performed on this stage, With this vintage engine as a backdrop - a neat idea if you ask me. I believe the performer on stage right here is Mark Kelly Hall.
Cowan, TN Depot Days Cowan Depot Days is a yearly town festival to help raise money to preserve and restore the town's historic passenger train depot. On display is this painted window from the 2010 Depot Days, depicting the very picturesque but rarely accessible entrance to the historic Cumberland Mountain Tunnel. (As the train emerges from the actual tunnel cut through the mountain, it passes underneath an arch bridge for a second train line.
Cowan, TN Steam Locomotive #1 My wife, who likes steam locomotives, commented it looks like it's smiling! Steam Locomotive #1 has been the highlight of the Cowan Railroad Museum for many years. It's a Columbia Type 2-4-2. It was built by Porter in 1920 as a tenderless Tank style locomotive and converted with a small homemade tender and had the saddle tank removed. The cab used to contain a small coal bunker. The Engine was functional around Charleston, SC until 1964 when it was sold to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Then, was sold to the Cowan museum in 1979. To see my other photos from the Depot Museum, look here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/tags/cowanrailroadm...
Cowan, TN Flag, Train Depot and Steam Locomotive The Cowan Depot is wood frame and built in 1904 for the NC&StL railway. When in use, it was originally on the other side of the still-in-use-by-CSX tracks but moved further away to its current location in 1976. It's built in a railroad gothic style architecture and has been repainted to the original green and yellow colors. The building is in the process of renovation. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Every year, the town has a Summer Weekend festival called Cowan Depot Days with the goal of raising money to further restore the station. Cowan is located on the historic line that runs from Nashville to Chattanooga and is perhaps best known by railfans as the last stop before ascending Cumberland Mountain and the picturesque but almost inaccessible Cumberland Mountain Tunnel entrance. CSX keeps pusher cars on hand to help trains make the incline to the top. Steam Locomotive #1 has been the highlight of the Cowan Railroad Museum for many years. It's a Columbia Type 2-4-2. It was built by Porter in 1920 as a tenderless Tank style locomotive and converted with a small homemade tender and had the saddle tank removed. The cab used to contain a small coal bunker. The Engine was functional around Charleston, SC until 1964 when it was sold to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Then, was sold to the Cowan museum in 1979. To see my other photos from the Depot Museum, look here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/tags/cowanrailroadm...
Cowan, TN Passenger Depot (2011) The Cowan Depot is wood frame and built in 1904 for the NC&StL railway. When in use, it was originally on the other side of the still-in-use-by-CSX tracks but moved further away to its current location in 1976. It's built in a railroad gothic style architecture and has been repainted to the original green and yellow colors. The building is in the process of renovation. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Every year, the town has a Summer Weekend festival called Cowan Depot Days with the goal of raising money to further restore the station. Cowan is located on the historic line that runs from Nashville to Chattanooga and is perhaps best known by railfans as the last stop before ascending Cumberland Mountain and the picturesque but almost inaccessible Cumberland Mountain Tunnel entrance. CSX keeps pusher cars on hand to help trains make the incline to the top. Steam Locomotive #1 has been the highlight of the Cowan Railroad Museum for many years. It's a Columbia Type 2-4-2. It was built by Porter in 1920 as a tenderless Tank style locomotive and converted with a small homemade tender and had the saddle tank removed. The cab used to contain a small coal bunker. The Engine was functional around Charleston, SC until 1964 when it was sold to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Then, was sold to the Cowan museum in 1979. To see my other photos from the Depot Museum, look here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/tags/cowanrailroadm...
Cowan, TN Train Depot and Steam Locomotive The Cowan Depot is wood frame and built in 1904 for the NC&StL railway. When in use, it was originally on the other side of the still-in-use-by-CSX tracks but moved further away to its current location in 1976. It's built in a railroad Gothic style architecture and has been repainted to the original green and yellow colors. The building is in the process of renovation. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Every year, the town has a Summer Weekend festival called Cowan Depot Days with the goal of raising money to further restore the station. Cowan is located on the historic line that runs from Nashville to Chattanooga and is perhaps best known by railfans as the last stop before ascending Cumberland Mountain and the picturesque but almost inaccessible Cumberland Mountain Tunnel entrance. CSX keeps pusher cars on hand to help trains make the incline to the top. Steam Locomotive #1 has been the highlight of the Cowan Railroad Museum for many years. It's a Columbia Type 2-4-2. It was built by Porter in 1920 as a tenderless Tank style locomotive and converted with a small homemade tender and had the saddle tank removed. The cab used to contain a small coal bunker. The Engine was functional around Charleston, SC until 1964 when it was sold to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Then, was sold to the Cowan museum in 1979. To see my other photos from the Depot Museum, look here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/tags/cowanrailroadm...
Inside the Cowan, TN Depot Museum At the depot's bay window is a mannequin telegraph operator, a sight common to many vintage depots that have become museums. For my other Cowan Railroad Museum pictures, look here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/tags/cowanrailroadm...
Inside the Cowan, TN Depot Museum This was the depot's biggest room, with the old passenger benches. Also seen is the departure / arrival board which now lists the names of former railroad employees on small engraved metal plaques. For my other Cowan Railroad Museum pictures, look here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/tags/cowanrailroadm...
L&N Caboose - Lynnville, TN Located at the Lynnville Railroad Museum, here is what their website has to say about this caboose, which was recently painted: The long body caboose, car No 199441, was built for Illinois Central Railroad in 1971 and is typical of the newer, cupola style cars that traveled the rails just prior to being replaced, in the late 1980’s, in favor of end-of-train electronic signal devices. The caboose is currently under restoration and carries the L & N color scheme and marking typical of the era. Cabooses served as both office and home-away-from-homes for train crews for over 125 years before being withdrawn. text taken from here: www.lynnville.org/railroadmuseum.htm
Restoring a Caboose For many years, the way to move from town to town was by train. Then, over time, better roads and airplanes made passenger trains obsolete. This left many of the small town train depots vacant. Fast forward a couple of decades, and many small towns had to decide whether they were going to allow their stations to continue to decay. Sometimes, they were purchased to becomes someone's business. Better yet, many cities decided to try and preserve their depots to remember their railroad heritage. A community preserved passenger depot would open as a museum, often with free admission. Inside, the museum would display whatever railroad memorabilia they could get locals to donate. Outside, they would like to get some trains, and many would acquire a steam locomotive, or more frequently a caboose, which the railroad companies don't really utilize often anymore. Many of the railroad museums operate on a shoestring budget, relying solely on donations and work from volunteers. One such volunteer is seen here hoping to restore an L&N Caboose to its former glory. This is seen at the depot museum in the small town of Lynnville, TN in Giles County. I last saw this caboose in 2008, and at the time, its faded red surely needed a paint job. I'm glad to see that it was able to happen.
Bulls Gap, TN Park Located between the boyhood home of Archie Campbell and city hall is a small park with railroad cars. Most notable is a Southern caboose, along with a small yellow maintenance car. Also is the old Bulls Gap depot marker on a gazebo. Bulls gap is an important railroad town as it is where two important train lines crossed.
Bridgeport, AL Lift bridge This is a Lift type drawbridge on the CSX line from Nashville to Chattanooga at Bridgeport, AL. The original span was a swing type drawbridge constructed in 1852 by the Nashville & Chattanooga RR. That structure was replaced in 1890 by another swing type by successor line Louisville & Nashville. Current span was completed in 1981. The central lift section was taken from another bridge that had been abandoned on an L&N line at Danville, TN. It was dismantled, shipped to this site, and reassembled in place. This spot was chosen to cross the Tennessee River because of a wide island in the middle of the river. The lift bridge is about 500 feet wide, then the Island is about 1000 feet, then a second bridge crosses another 1000 feet of river. This bridge is virtually inaccessible, unless you are a CSX employee or are willing to tresspass. The employees drive a gravel road through a desolate area to get to the other side. This view is from historic Battery Hill in Bridgeport before all the trees were in bloom to block the view even more. On GreenFrog.com, (a great website for railfan videos) they have a CSX video from Chattanooga to Nashville, filmed in the mid 90's and featuring the bridges here
Lynnville, TN Depot Museum & Locomotive Lynnville is a small town in Giles County where L&N operated a Passenger depot. That depot was torn down when passenger service stopped in town. However, a few decades later, a new replica was built to be operated as a museum. The highlighted locomotive at the museum is a 1927 Prairie type 2-6-2 Baldwin Steam Locomotive. It hauled freight for the St. Louis & O'Fallon railroad at first and was retired after 37 years in use. in 1997, the museum acquired it. Other trains cars at the museum include a 1923 Pullman Passenger Coach (which inside has a sub-museum honoring nearby Milky Way Farms), a 1950 wood deck flat car, and a 1971 caboose. To see all of the Lynnville Depot Museum pictures, Click here.
Lynnville, TN Depot Museum & Locomotive Lynnville is a small town in Giles County where L&N operated a Passenger depot. That depot was torn down when passenger service stopped in town. However, a few decades later, a new replica was built to be operated as a museum. The highlighted locomotive at the museum is a 1927 Prairie type 2-6-2 Baldwin Steam Locomotive. It hauled freight for the St. Louis & O'Fallon railroad at first and was retired after 37 years in use. in 1997, the museum acquired it. Other trains cars at the museum include a 1923 Pullman Passenger Coach (which inside has a sub-museum honoring nearby Milky Way Farms), a 1950 wood deck flat car, and a 1971 caboose. To see all of the Lynnville Depot Museum pictures, Click here. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/undeniable-tn-home/ 11 Undeniable Reasons Why Tennessee Will Always Be Home
Lynnville, TN Depot Museum & Steam Locomotive Lynnville is a small town in Giles County where L&N operated a Passenger depot. That depot was torn down when passenger service stopped in town. However, a few decades later, a new replica was built to be operated as a museum. The highlighted locomotive at the museum is a 1927 Prairie type 2-6-2 Baldwin Steam Locomotive. It hauled freight for the St. Louis & O'Fallon railroad at first and was retired after 37 years in use. in 1997, the museum acquired it. Other trains cars at the museum include a 1923 Pullman Passenger Coach (which inside has a sub-museum honoring nearby Milky Way Farms), a 1950 wood deck flat car, and a 1971 caboose. To see all of the Lynnville Depot Museum pictures, Click here.
Lynnville, TN Depot Museum Locomotive Lynnville is a small town in Giles County where L&N operated a Passenger depot. That depot was torn down when passenger service stopped in town. However, a few decades later, a new replica was built to be operated as a museum. The highlighted locomotive at the museum is a 1927 Prairie type 2-6-2 Baldwin Steam Locomotive. It hauled freight for the St. Louis & O'Fallon railroad at first and was retired after 37 years in use. in 1997, the museum acquired it. Other trains cars at the museum include a 1923 Pullman Passenger Coach (which inside has a sub-museum honoring nearby Milky Way Farms), a 1950 wood deck flat car, and a 1971 caboose. To see all of the Lynnville Depot Museum pictures, Click here.
Lynnville, TN Depot Museum Locomotive and Wigwag Lynnville is a small town in Giles County where L&N operated a Passenger depot. That depot was torn down when passenger service stopped in town. However, a few decades later, a new replica was built to be operated as a museum. The highlighted locomotive at the museum is a 1927 Prairie type 2-6-2 Baldwin Steam Locomotive. It hauled freight for the St. Louis & O'Fallon railroad at first and was retired after 37 years in use. in 1997, the museum acquired it. Other trains cars at the museum include a 1923 Pullman Passenger Coach (which inside has a sub-museum honoring nearby Milky Way Farms), a 1950 wood deck flat car, and a 1971 caboose. To see all of the Lynnville Depot Museum pictures, Click here.
Red on Gray L&N Logo This was seen on an L&N painted caboose at the Cookeville, TN Depot Museum
Gray L&N Caboose - Cookeville, TN This gray trimmed in red L&N Caboose is parked at the Cookeville, TN Depot Museum. Also at the museum is a Tennessee Central caboose and both are open for visitors during museum hours. Info about this caboose from the museums website at CookevilleDepot.com On December 30, 1985, the City of Cookeville received an L&N caboose from Seaboard Systems Railroad. This rail company ran freight through the area from 1968 into the early 70’s. The caboose we have from them is relatively small in size, since crews no longer lived aboard during freight runs. This caboose was built in the 1950’s and was retired from rail service in early 1980. The interior of the caboose, with its kerosene stove, is similar to how it looked when it was last used. It also houses our tool exhibit, “Working on the Railroad: The Right Tool for the Right Job.” This caboose is known as a Bay Window Type.
Old Walland Train Depot Walland is a tiny community in Blount County. The Depot was moved up the road and preserved at the Little River Railroad Museum in Townsend, TN. According to the sign on the side of the building, this depot was built by the Little River Railroad in 1903.
Knoxville Historic Train Mural Located in the Old City area of Knoxville. If you walk a few steps, you'll be on the tracks and can see the old Southern Depot. The artists of the 2001 mural are Eva Allawos, Walt Fieldsa & Randall Starnes.
Emory River Railroad Bridge This Warren Camelback Truss bridge was built by L&N in 1910 over the Emory River in Harriman, TN. Today, the bridge is in use so that CSX can deliver coal cars to the TVA Kingston Steam Plant via trackage rights with NS. The main span is 23 feet long, although there is a lengthy approach on both sides. The bridge also parallels highway US27 across the river.
Maryville, TN Train Depot This old passenger train depot built by Southern is well preserved, and now serves some small businesses, such as a dentist and a CPA. It appeared to me that when the tracks were in use, they stopped here. It also looked like the actual tracks had just recently been pulled up but where they had been is obvious, as the gravel bed on the other side remained.
Southern Railway Freight Depot (Streetside) Chattanooga has a rich history with railroads, with Southern Railway as perhaps the most important train company in the area. While the Terminal Station at the Chattanooga Choo Choo is an important passenger station, this freight station just a couple of blocks down the road on Market St. served a similarly vital role in the town's history. The building originally started as an iron foundry in 1871. By 1894, the building was converted into a freight depot by the old Eastern Kentucky and Georgia Railroad, which became part of Southern in 1901. As the railroad industry went into decline, this depot fell into disuse. John's Railroad Salvage was located here in the 70s. In 1983, the Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. By the late 80s, Chattanooga decided to have urban revitalization here and at Warehouse Row next door, with the ultimate goal of having upscale stores at both places. Since then, historic renovation has been completed with modern additions removed, bringing back the 19th century facade.
Southern Railway Freight Depot (Trackside) Chattanooga has a rich history with railroads, with Southern Railway as perhaps the most important train company in the area. While the Terminal Station at the Chattanooga Choo Choo is an important passenger station, this freight station just a couple of blocks down the road on Market St. served a similarly vital role in the town's history. The building originally started as an iron foundry in 1871. By 1894, the building was converted into a freight depot by the old Eastern Kentucky and Georgia Railroad, which became part of Southern in 1901. As the railroad industry went into decline, this depot fell into disuse. John's Railroad Salvage was located here in the 70s. In 1983, the Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. By the late 80s, Chattanooga decided to have urban revitalization here and at Warehouse Row next door, with the ultimate goal of having upscale stores at both places. Since then, historic renovation has been completed with modern additions removed, bringing back the 19th century facade.
"The Barn" - Chuckey, Tennessee At one time, there was a marker by the barn that was either gone by the time I got there, or I just didn't see it. The sign read: The Barn was built mid 20th century pimarily for farm use. The barn was readily visible from the old 11-E highway and quickly turned into a form of advertising for Corner and Central Drug Stores in Greeneville. Progress has moved business and traffic patterns to the new 11-E highway, leaving the barn bypassed by today's population. However, the barn continues to serve as a landmark today, preserving the history of one of Greene County's oldest towns. Davy Crockett: Born in Chuckey 1786 Glider: Ed Huffaker, early pioneer in aviation Steam Locomotive: Railroad and Fullens Depot Log House: Earnest Fort House built in 1784 First Aid Cross: Dr. Annis O. Pickering, Tennessee's first lady doctor. Tennessee Flag Pole: Battle of Rheatown 1862 Nolichuckey River: Early transportation "Earnestville" Pointer: "Old Ted" One of the best bird dogs to hunt in Chucley
Baxter the Caboose - Lebanon, TN Baxter was a former caboose of Burlington Northern that was donated in 2007 to Fiddler's Grove at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. To assist with moving the Caboose here was Nashville & Eastern Railroad, which like the fair, is operated in Lebanon. Then, with the help of McCord Crane Service, the caboose was placed atop a truck and given a police escort as it made its way to Fiddler's Grove. The NCStL Logo was added later Today, the Caboose stands as a proud reminder of the golden age of Railroads. J.D. and Ann Floyd donated the caboose in honor of Billy Baxter. (The Floyds and the Baxters co-owned Cumberland Valley Shows, a fair midway company.) Before this, the caboose was given to the Floyds by the Greater Gulf State Fair in Mobile Al.
Tates Crossing, TN Flag Station This train flag station was in use at Tates Crossing near Mt. Juliet from 1870 until 1935. During these 65 years it was used by Tennessee and Pacific Railroad and then by NCStL. This flag station was closed when NCStL built newer tracks that went a farther distance. (The older tracks were removed and the railroad bed became Division Street and Old Railroad Bed Road. Nearly 6 decades after it wasn't used anymore, the owner gave it to the western Wilson County Historical society, where it was restored. A few years later it was donated to be part of Fiddler's Grove, a collection of historical buildings from around the county placed at the Wilson County Fairgrounds.
L&N Caboose 6339 - Big Sandy, TN Located in a mini-park in the middle of the small town
Spring City, TN Depot The brick passenger train station in Spring City, TN was built by Queen and Crescent Railroad in 1908 along the line to connect Cincinnati and New Orleans. Later, this railway became a part of Southern Railway. A friend of mine lived in Spring City for a short while, and he remembers the building was used as a library then. Today, it is home to the local chamber of commerce in one half and a museum in the other side.
Spring City, TN Caboose
Spring City, TN Depot and Caboose The brick passenger train station in Spring City, TN was built by Queen and Crescent Railroad in 1908 along the line to connect Cincinnati and New Orleans. Later, this railway became a part of Southern Railway. A friend of mine lived in Spring City for a short while, and he remembers the building was used as a library then. Today, it is home to the local chamber of commerce in one half and a museum in the other side.
Spring City, TN Passenger Depot The brick passenger train station in Spring City, TN was built by Queen and Crescent Railroad in 1908 along the line to connect Cincinnati and New Orleans. Later, this railway became a part of Southern Railway. A friend of mine lived in Spring City for a short while, and he remembers the building was used as a library then. Today, it is home to the local chamber of commerce in one half and a museum in the other side.
GT 5848 Locomotive crosses 1st St. 1st St. is the main road through the heart of town in Union City, TN. Grand Trunk Western was bought out by CN, but you still see their trains in various places. Union City for many years was served by Illinois Central, (which is the second locomotive here) and they are now also run by CN. On this particular day, I saw this pair of GT and IC pull various train cars back and forth through town during the hour I was walking around. Then by the time I was driving south, I passed the same crew.
The Dome ceiling inside the Chattanooga Choo Choo This information was taken from the Chattanooga Choo Choo website: The Terminal Station was erected in 1908, with its centerpiece - a magnificent dome - that rose majestically over the concourse. Built of steel and concrete and buttressed by huge brick arches, the dome rested on four steel supports 75 feet apart. Suspended from the ceiling were four brass chandeliers, each with 40 lights circling an 18-inch opal globe. From an architectural standpoint, this dome over the entire 68 x 82 foot general waiting rooms was the most attractive design feature of its time. It was on the underside of this dome, the part in view above the waiting room, that the only attempt to decorate in colors was made -- artistic plaster embellishments of heraldic emblems, which are now fully restored. The dome was truly lavish and beautiful in its different prismatic colors, especially when lighted at night. www.choochoo.com/thetrainstation.php?dest=62 This photo was taken near noon on a sunny day. Train service stopped in 1970, and the depot was converted to a Hotel. The main room with the dome is now the hotel lobby
100 Years of Illinois Central marker Seen in Ripley, TN at the Lauderdale County Courthouse grounds. 1851-1951 Mainline of Mid-America. In 1951, IC placed one of these at the county seat of every county they served.
There's a caboose up there This attention-getting caboose is set high above the road so that visitors in Jackson, TN can find Casey Jones Village right off Interstate 40 along US45. Casey Jones was the famous railroad engineer who in the year 1900 sacrificed his life to save his passengers on his Cannonball Express. Now, many years later in his hometown of Jackson, TN is a mega tourist attraction, Casey Jones Village. The Village starts with the Home of Casey Jones. Next, add a country store with a country buffet and a row of specialty shops. Then, add a motel where in addition to regular rooms you can sleep in an old train car. Finally, add a railroad museum built to look like an old brick passenger station and you have Casey Jones Village today.
Paris, TN Passenger Train Depot This Brick Passenger Station was originally built by NC&StL. The depot was built in 1896 and service ran until 1951. Today, the depot houses a tax business. The tracks run down Fentress Ave. Those tracks still get some use by Kentucky & West Tennessee Railway, a short line that connects to CSX. Originally, they were laid by Paducah, Tennessee & Alabama. When PT&A went bankrupt, the line was sold to L&N who leased it to NCStL.
Selmer, TN Depot In the late 19th century, McNairy County moved its county seat from Purdy to Selmer because of the upcoming prominence as a railroad town. Mobile and Ohio first laid the tracks through selmer in the late 1850s. This turn of the century station is one of the few Mobile and Ohio depots left in the area. At first, I wasn't convinced this was an old depot, despite the ticket window on the side, the location next to the tracks, and a platform which you can see in the back. This depot isn't listed in some of the guides that I rely on. I wasn't convinced until I saw a picture in the 1995 book Tennessee's Historic Landscapes by Carroll van West. In the 16 years since then, it's become a salon, a metal roof was added, and maybe new siding, too. I wonder if it was a restaurant at one time also as the words Pit Lounge are still on the salon sign.
Illinois Central Caboose - Halls, TN With the IC tracks in the foreground. Halls is a small town in Lauderdale County.
Humboldt, TN Train Depot. This is the old passenger station built by GM&O. Recently, this has been a business but now there's a for rest sign out front.
Cookeville, TN Train Depot This depot was built in 1909 by Tennessee Central to replace an earlier depot in the middle of the Cream City district. TC only built three depots out of brick, and this was their "Jewel" with its notable pagoda style roof. Passenger service lasted until 1955 and TC used the building until they went out of business in 1968. Like most unused depots, it started to fall into disrepair until the Friends of the Depot and the City of Cookeville purchased it in 1975. In 1985, the depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places and also opened as a museum.
Cookeville, TN Train Depot This depot was built in 1909 by Tennessee Central to replace an earlier depot in the middle of the Cream City district. TC only built three depots out of brick, and this was their "Jewel" with its notable pagoda style roof. Passenger service lasted until 1955 and TC used the building until they went out of business in 1968. Like most unused depots, it started to fall into disrepair until the Friends of the Depot and the City of Cookeville purchased it in 1975. In 1985, the depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places and also opened as a museum. I have given the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy permission to use this photo here: www.railstotrails.org/news/recurringFeatures/trailMonth/a...
Cookeville, TN Model Depot. The wonderfully preserved Tennessee Central Depot in Cookeville, TN has been converted into a museum. As soon as you walk in, there's a model train display replicating what Cookeville looked like back when the depot was in use.
Grinder's Switch Depot Grinder's Switch is a real place made famous as the hometown of fictional character Minnie Pearl. Instead of being an actual town, it was just a railroad switch. There was a depot at this switch, part of the NCStL line, and an employee there was the father of Sarah Colley Carter, the real life person behind Minnie Pearl. That original depot is long gone, but some people in Centerville want to take advantage of the Minnie Pearl heritage (just like Loretta Lynn has done in Hurricane Mills). In the 1980's, these people planned a park, and needed another depot, so they purchased this L&N depot from the tiny Dickson County town of Slayden. Additionally, they put some vintage farm equipment here, but that park never fully materialized. However, they built a nearby Ag Expo. The train tracks are right behind me here. Update: This depot is now gone.
Limestone, TN Depot Here is a train station that has seen better days... The depot originally built by Southern is barely standing. The main part of the unincorporated town seems to be on a slope. The homes on the other side of the tracks from the depot (that are behind me) look down on the depot. All the mostly deserted storefronts look up at the depot.
Kingsport, TN Clinchfield Passenger Depot The Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Passenger train station along with the adjacent freight depot were built in 1916. The building's design was a product of new York architect Clinton McKenzie. Access to the railroad instantly gave Kingsport the potential to become an industrial community. Even though passenger service stopped in 1954, the area remained busy thoroughfare. Today, the building is used as a bank. Looking at Kingsport, I find it interesting how a planned community came to be, and what's changed over nearly 100 years. The city was laid out before construction of anything started. Main street connected this depot on one end and the 4 churches of Church Circle on the other end of the storefront lined street. The city hasn't aged well, but either end of the main street has retained it's significant architecture.
Kingsport, TN Clinchfield Passenger Depot The Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Passenger train station along with the adjacent freight depot were built in 1916. The building's design was a product of new York architect Clinton McKenzie. Access to the railroad instantly gave Kingsport the potential to become an industrial community. Even though passenger service stopped in 1954, the area remained busy thoroughfare. Today, the building is used as a bank. Looking at Kingsport, I find it interesting how a planned community came to be, and what's changed over neary 100 years. The city was laid out before contruction of anything started. Main street connected this depot on one end and the 4 churches of Church Circle on the other end of the storefront lined street. The city hasn't aged well, but either end of the main street has retianed it's significant architecture.
Kingsport, TN Clinchfield Passenger Depot The Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Passenger train station along with the adjacent freight depot were built in 1916. The building's design was a product of new York architect Clinton McKenzie. Access to the railroad instantly gave Kingsport the potential to become an industrial community. Even though passenger service stopped in 1954, the area remained busy thoroughfare. Today, the building is used as a bank and is located on the National register of Historic Places. Looking at Kingsport, I find it interesting how a planned community came to be, and what's changed over neary 100 years. The city was laid out before contruction of anything started. Main street connected this depot on one end and the 4 churches of Church Circle on the other end of the storefront lined street. The city hasn't aged well, but either end of the main street has retianed it's significant architecture.
Nashville & Eastern Railroad (NERR) Locomotive 579 "City of Cookeville" Nashville & Eastern is a short line railroad which was formed in 1980 to run east from Nashville to Lebanon, Watertown, Cookeville and Monterrey. They operate on track which used to belong to Tennessee Central, so they work with TC to operate their railway museum excursion trains. Locomotive #579 has ben named "City of Cookeville"
Nashville & Eastern Railroad (NERR) Locomotive 579 "City of Cookeville" Nashville & Eastern is a short line railroad which was formed in 1980 to run east from Nashville to Lebanon, Watertown, Cookeville and Monterrey. They operate on track which used to belong to Tennessee Central, so they work with TC to operate their railway museum excursion trains. Locomotive #579 has ben named "City of Cookeville" Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/beautiful-tn-trains/ Board These 10 Beautiful Trains In Tennessee For An Unforgettable Experience
Nashville & Eastern (NERR) Locomotive (Green & Yellow) Nashville & Eastern Rilroad is a short line railroad which was formed in 1980 to run east from Nashville to Lebanon, Watertown, Cookeville and Monterrey. They operate on track which used to belong to Tennessee Central, so they work with TC to operate their railway museum excursion trains, as well as park their equipment at the old TC rail yard. In addition to the Green & Yellow, they also have an Orange & Yellow design for some of their train cars.
Springtime at Bicentennial Mall (2006) This photo was taken 6 years ago. Some of the trees had started to bloom and showed rich color, while others had yet to start. CSX 1111 rolls on through over the bridge at the park. Notice the outline of the state of Tennessee at the bottom? This photo was taken from Capitol Hill where you can get this view of the entire urban state park. Every once in a while, I'll go through old photos and find something that for whatever reason I didn't like then, but now I find Flickr-worthy. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/nashville/incredible-na... These 20 Incredible Places in Nashville Will Drop Your Jaw To The Floor
Tennessee Central Railway Museum Located at the site of the TC headquarters, most of the Tennessee Central Buildings are gone, but several still remain. The actual museum is held in the building seen here, which was used as the Master Mechanic's shop. Also inside are a small gift shop and a model train hobby shop. Today, the museum is best know for its excursion trains. From here, it's a short walk to the tracks to see their restored passenger cars as well as their other rolling stock. For more info: www.tcry.org/
Tennessee Central Railway Museum Located at the site of the TC headquarters, most of the Tennessee Central Buildings are gone, but several still remain. The actual museum is held in the building seen here, which was used as the Master Mechanic's shop. Also inside is a small gift shop and a model train hobby shop. Today, the museum is best known for its excursion trains. From here, it's a short walk to the tracks to see their restored passenger cars as well as their other rolling stock. For more info: www.tcry.org/
The Orange train cars at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum Both get used for the TC excursion trains. Seen here is a rare glimpse of just the two of them together as they had to get all of the train cars lined up just right after an excursion. For more info about the Nashville & Eastern Railroad (NERR) Locomotive 579 "City of Cookeville," look here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/6793044276/in/set-7... For more info about the Illinois Central Caboose, look here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/6981579059/in/set-7...
Columbia, TN Union Station The old Union Station in Columbia was built in 1902 replacing an older, long demolished, building that had stood nearby. It served the community for both Louisville & Nashville, NCStL and Duck River Valley Narrow Gauge Railroad and was in use until the 1960s when passenger service was discontinued with cancelled freight and parcel service following. This building once served as one of the hubs of the community but is unused and neglected today despite its presence on the National Register of Historic Places.
Columbia, TN Union Station (b&w) The old Union Station in Columbia was built in 1902 replacing an older, long demolished, building that had stood nearby. It served the community for both Louisville & Nashville, NCStL and Duck River Valley Narrow Gauge Railroad and was in use until the 1960s when passenger service was discontinued with cancelled freight and parcel service following. This building once served as one of the hubs of the community but is unused and neglected today despite its presence on the National Register of Historic Places. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tiny-town-columbia-tn/ You’ll Never Run Out Of Things To Do In This Tiny Tennessee Town
Westvaco Train Engine Westvaco is a paper company, so I suppose at sometime they've used trains to carry lumber from the forest to their mill. This retired locomotive is out at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum.
Tennessee Central Caboose This caboose is on display outside the Cookeville Depot Museum. This is what their website has to say about the caboose: This caboose was built around the same time as the Cookeville Depot building. It was acquired by the Friends of the Depot from the Leslie Bowman estate in Muddy Pond (near Monterey, TN). The caboose went through an extensive restoration when it was moved to the Depot grounds in 1993. It is typical of cabooses of the day in that it was not only the work center for the freight crew, but home as well. Meals were cooked on a coal stove which also provided heat in the winter. Tool lockers became crew bunks. The caboose, originally of all wood construction, later acquired a steel skin to help prolong its useful life. It is a Cupola Type caboose. cookevilledepot.com/index.php?option=com_content&view... I have given the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy permission to use this photo here: www.railstotrails.org/news/recurringFeatures/trailMonth/a...
In Tennessee, even the caboose is orange! In Nashville, Illinois Central 9380 has been restored with vivid color. This caboose is on display at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum and accompanies all of their excursion trains. It might just be the most popular train car there!
NC&StL Logo on Bridge I suppose these are fairly common, but I took a picture of it because I'd never seen one before. Or maybe I'd seen it a bunch of times, but never noticed it before. This is on the south side of Chattanooga along St. Elmo Ave near the intersection of 33rd St. Is logo even the right word for this, or is it sheild, marker, or something else? On the other side, the etched L had fallen off.
Red Caboose - Henning, TN Located along old US51 in Henning, TN near the center of town is this caboose and a picnic table with a small gravel lot for parking. Henning is best known for the boyhood home of Alex Haley.
Tennessee Central Operation Lifesaver Caboose This caboose is part of the rolling stock on display at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. I would assume the Operation Lifesaver markings are a relatively newer painted addition to the caboose. I don't know if they leave it here, or if their excursion trains sometimes take it along for educational purposes. The caboose they usually take is the orange one in the background on the right.
Tennessee Central #52 This well maintained locomotive is part of the rolling stock seen at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville, TN. On my website is a gallery of the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. See the Gallery by clicking this link!
Model Train Version of Nashville Landmarks: Woodmont Christian Church For many years, Nashville had a Children's Museum on Second Ave. S. At the time, they had a large model train display which involved 1:48 O-scale trains rumbling around scaled replicas of local landmarks, such as Union Station, the L&C Tower and Woodmont Christian Church. The Childrens' museum was relocated in 1974 to Fort Negley hill where it became the Cumberland Science Museum (and is now the Adventure Science Center). The model trains were not a part of the relocation and are now part of the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. These O Gauge buildings were built to scale using light wood, paper, cardboard, and glue by members of the Nashville Association of Model Engineers around 1955.
Model Train Version of Nashville Landmarks: L&C Tower For many years, Nashville had a Children's Museum on Second Ave. S. At the time, they had a large model train display which involved 1:48 O-scale trains rumbling around scaled replicas of local landmarks, such as Union Station, the L&C Tower and Woodmont Christian Church. The Childrens museum was relocated in 1974 to Fort Negley hill where it became the Cumberland Science Museum (and is now the Adventure Science Center). The model trains were not a part of the relocation and are now part of the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. These O Gauge buildings were built to scale using light wood, paper, cardboard, and glue by members of the Nashville Association of Model Engineers around 1955.
Model Train Version of Nashville Landmarks: Union Station For many years, Nashville had a Children's Museum on Second Ave. S. At the time, they had a large model train display which involved 1:48 O-scale trains rumbling around scaled replicas of local landmarks, such as Union Station, the L&C Tower and Woodmont Christian Church. The Childrens museum was relocated in 1974 to Fort Negley hill where it became the Cumberland Science Museum (and is now the Adventure Science Center). The model trains were not a part of the relocation and are now part of the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. These O Gauge buildings were built to scale using light wood, paper, cardboard, and glue by members of the Nashville Association of Model Engineers around 1955.
Tennessee Southern Railroad Locomotive A few years ago, Tennessee Southern was what made me learn about Short Line railroads. I was in Columbia, TN and I saw a red and blue train coming my way, and I was perplexed to see anything other than CSX. Then I saw the name Tennessee Southern and I wondered if it was some weird holdover hybrid of the old Tennessee Central and the Southern Railway. It wasn't. It's a short line. Tennessee Southern is today owned by Patriot Rail Corporation, and this photo was taken where the train runs through Loretto, TN - a small town in Lawrence County. Their website explaines where they run today. www.tennesseesouthern.com/aboutus1.htm "The Tennessee Southern Railroad began operation in July of 1988 on former Norfolk Southern track in Florence, Alabama. On February 1, 1989, the TSR began operation on the former CSX Transportation track running from just north of Columbia, Tennessee to Pulaski, Tennessee on the old N & D (Nashville and Decatur) Main from Columbia, Tennessee to Florence, Alabama on the old NF&S (Nashville, Florence and Sheffield) Main. The TSR interchanges rail traffic with CSX Transportation at Natco, Tennessee located just north of Columbia, Tennessee. Additionally, we interchange with all inland barge lines through our Port Facility at Florence, Alabama, where we transfer freight to or from barge traffic on the Tennessee River."
Union City, TN Train Depot The train station in Union city was built in 1922 by Gulf, Mobile & Ohio (GM&O) and also serviced NCStL. The design is a mixture of Mission/Spanish Revival and Bungalow/Craftsman. Today, the building is restored and serves as the Obion County Chamber of Commerce. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Union City, TN Depot and GT Locomotive The train station in Union city was built in 1922 by Gulf, Mobile & Ohio (GM&O) and also serviced NCStL. The design is a mixture of Mission/Spanish Revival and Bungalow/Craftsman. Today, the building is restored and serves as the Obion County Chamber of Commerce. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On the day that I took this photo, I started by parking at the Depot, as I was walking to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/6800628333/"Capitol Theater, I saw GT 5848 crossing the street. I went over to the town square and an hour after I had started, I was back where I started and the same locomotive was crossing at the depot where I started. GM&O eventually merged with Illinois Central, who along with Grand Trunk & Western are all owned today by CN.
Old C&O Caboose - TCRY Museum The Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville, TN has two vintage Chesapeake & Ohio cabooses. One of them has already undergone an extensive restoration and paint job and this one hasn't. Eventually, this one should also have it's blue trimmed in yellow paint redone with the C&O For Progress logo. Until then, I suppose it's more or less a rustbucket.
Restored C&O Caboose - TCRY Museum The Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville, TN has two vintage Chesapeake & Ohio cabooses. One of them has already undergone an extensive restoration and blue trimmed in yellow paint job and the other one hasn't.
Tuckers Gap Passenger Depot Tennessee & Pacific Railroad was chartered in 1866 with the intent of connecting Knoxville to Memphis so that coal from the East Tennessee mountains could be conveyed out to the western U.S. In 1969, consturction began on the first (and as it turned out, the only) segment of the rail line, a 29 mile stretch from Lebanon to Nashville. It began operation in 1971, so this passenegr station was built sometime during those two years. The depot was built on land owned by John Bell Tarver. His daughter Nancy Tarver Hagan was employed to be the depot's operator. To make money, she would sell poultry, livestock, eggs, flowers, etc. from the depot. According to family stories, when she would hear the train whistle, she'd quickly change into her "good clothes" and run down the hill from her house just in time to meet the approaching train. By 1877, Tennessee & Pacific ran out of money and the line was purchased by NCStL. The short line operated under the T&P name until 1988 when it was renamed the NCStL Lebanon Branch. The last run was made on July 13, 1935 when passenger service stopped. The depot sat vacant at the same spot for nearly seven decades when it was put up for auction. In August, 2005 the depot was reloacated to Fiddler's Grove, the collection of historic local buildings on the Wilson County Fairgrounds. One year later after extensive renovations it was dedicated. Today, fairgoers can walk inside and see train memorabilia as well as a model railroad display.
Mid-South Live Steamers Caboose Filling the void between the cost prohibitive joy of owning your own railroad and and the sad reality you can't ride your own HO-scale model trains comes Large Scale Outdoor Railroading. The people who do that around here are known as the Mid-South Live Steamers and they meet at a Columbia city park. This caboose marks the place. For this hobby, the park has laid out 7 1/2 inch track and various locomotive manufacturers produce miniatures that can pull one or dozens. For more info on this group: www.midsouthlivesteamers.org/
Tennessee Central Dome Car The Dome car is an upgrade from standard coach seating on modern excursion trains. A small number can sit in the upper section which has windows on all sides and offers the best views. This one operates on the excursions offered by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville, TN. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/nashville/fall-foliage-... Take This Fall Foliage Train Ride Through Nashville For A One-Of-A-Kind Experience
Maxwell, TN Passenger Train Depot Here is a long since forgotten train station! Tracks first came through the area with the formation of the Winchester & Alabama railroad in the 1850's. They never could get their line finished into Huntsville, AL as they made it to Elora, TN just north of the border and instead made a line to Fayetteville. After W&A went bankrupt, the line was purchased by NCStL who did complete the line to Huntsville. Much of the land through here was ownd by a man named William R. Jones, who sold some of his land to the railroad in the 1860's. The depot that was built here became knwon as Jones Station. Soon afterward a new stationmaster with the last name of Maxwell came in and from there the stop was known as Maxwell. I can't find any age on the date of the depot seen here. By the 1980's, the line was owned by Seaboard Systems who decided to stop running the line in 1985. All the tracks through here are gone, leaving this old depot in a seemingly unexpected place.
Steam Train Mural - Bluff City, TN In the 1850's, the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad looked to connect Knoxville to Bristol. To get there, they needed to cross the Holston River. While the bridge no longer exists, the southern bridge abutment and piers still remain. On the abutment, artist Tim Cross painted this mural of a steam train coming out of a tunnel. Bluff City went through several name changes in the Nineteenth Century. The city was originally Choate's Ford and then Middletown. After the railroad came through town, it changed to Union. That's not a good name to have in the Confederacy, so during the Civil War, it changed to Zollicoffer in honor of a Confederate General. After the war, it went back to Union until 1887 when Bluff City became the permanent name. UPDATE: Late in 2014, this mural was repainted and looks a little different.
Illinois Central 3101 Illinois Central locomotives have long been a common sight throughout West Tennessee. These tracks were part of IC's "City of New Orleans" route which started in Chicago, passed through Memphis as well as the smaller town of Union City, TN where this photo was taken. IC has been owned by CN for 14 years, but I guess there's still plenty of them out there.
Railroad Bridge over Barren Fork - McMinnville, TN I can't find too much information on how old this bridge is, but there was a railroad line that ran from McMinnville to Tullahoma before the Civil War. During the war, the north destroyed every bridge on this line between the two cities, including the one that crossed the Barren Fork River, which I assume is at this same spot. Originally, there were multiple mills up and down the river through here, but in 1902, a hydroelectric dam was built, but is not in use anymore. According to a photo on the historical marker nearby, this bridge was already here when the dam was built. The dam is on the National register of Historic Places. At one time, the bridge was used by NCStL, and then by L&N, and then by CSX. Today, the tracks are used by the short line Caney Fork & Western Railroad, which connects CSX from Tullahoma to Manchester and Sparta. There are a couple of kids sitting on the nearest pier. Can you see them?
Railroad Bridge over Barren Fork - McMinnville, TN I can't find too much information on how old this bridge is, but there was a railroad line that ran from McMinnville to Tullahoma before the Civil War. During the war, the north destroyed every bridge on this line between the two cities, including the one that crossed the Barren Fork River, which I assume is at this same spot. Originally, there were multiple mills up and down the river through here, but in 1902, a hydroelectric dam was built, but is not in use anymore. According to a photo on the historical marker nearby, this bridge was already here when the dam was built. At one time, the bridge was used by NCStL, and then by L&N, and then by CSX. Today, the tracks are used by the short line Caney Fork & Western Railroad, which connects CSX from Tullahoma to Manchester and Sparta.
Railroad Bridge over Barren Fork - McMinnville, TN I can't find too much information on how old this bridge is, but there was a railroad line that ran from McMinnville to Tullahoma before the Civil War. During the war, the north destroyed every bridge on this line between the two cities, including the one that crossed the Barren Fork River, which I assume is at this same spot. Originally, there were multiple mills up and down the river through here, but in 1902, a hydroelectric dam was built, but is not in use anymore. According to a photo on the historical marker nearby, this bridge was already here when the dam was built. At one time, the bridge was used by NCStL, and then by L&N, and then by CSX. Today, the tracks are used by the short line Caney Fork & Western Railroad, which connects CSX from Tullahoma to Manchester and Sparta. There are a couple of kids sitting on the nearest pier. Can you see them?
Tennessee Southern's Locomotives A few years ago, Tennessee Southern was what made me learn about Short Line railroads. I was in Columbia, TN and I saw a red and blue train coming my way, and I was perplexed to see anything other than CSX. Then I saw the name Tennessee Southern and I wondered if it was some weird holdover hybrid of the old Tennessee Central and the Southern Railway. It wasn't. It's a short line. Tennessee Southern is today owned by Patriot Rail Corporation, and this photo was taken where they must park their train engines when not in use, in an industrial area of Lawrenceburg. Their website explaines where they run today. www.tennesseesouthern.com/aboutus1.htm "The Tennessee Southern Railroad began operation in July of 1988 on former Norfolk Southern track in Florence, Alabama. On February 1, 1989, the TSR began operation on the former CSX Transportation track running from just north of Columbia, Tennessee to Pulaski, Tennessee on the old N & D (Nashville and Decatur) Main from Columbia, Tennessee to Florence, Alabama on the old NF&S (Nashville, Florence and Sheffield) Main. The TSR interchanges rail traffic with CSX Transportation at Natco, Tennessee located just north of Columbia, Tennessee. Additionally, we interchange with all inland barge lines through our Port Facility at Florence, Alabama, where we transfer freight to or from barge traffic on the Tennessee River."
Armour Fertilizer Works #9 Armour Fertilizer Works was a phosphate mining & processing company that flourished in Maury County in the early part of the last century. This 36" Narrow Gauge 0-4-0T was built in 1927 by Vulcan Iron Works of Wilkes-Barre, PA. It was moved here at Maury County Park in Columbia in 1988 for the 100th anniversary of the local Phosphate Industry. The locomotive has been nicknamed the Louis J. Finney Special in honor of the local civil leader who was part of the county's park commission.
GM&O 2618 - Union City, TN Union City is near the northwest corner of Tennessee and the rail lines that run through town go into Memphis. This caboose is located behind the old GM&O Depot which is today used as the Chamber of Commerce.
Germantown, TN Train Depot at Night Tracks were first laid through Germantown by the Memphis & Charleston Railroad in the 1850's. This depot was built by Southern Railway as a replica in 1948 to recreate the depot that was here in 1868. On the front of the building is a plaque that reads "Restoration by Heritage Woman's Club 1986." Today, the building houses the offices for the Tennessee Shakespeare Company.
Tennessee River Railroad Bridge (South view) - Chattanooga, TN This bridge was built in 1920 and reused piers from an earlier bridge. The bridge was built by Cincinnati Southern Railway, which was owned by the city of Cincinnati. I believe the city still owns this bridge, and over they years they have leased its use to Southern and today Norfolk Southern. The main span is a lift bridge, and has been that way since 1920, but was a swing bridge in a previous time. The bridge is barely downstream from Chickamauga Dam, and while it still can lift, it doesn't happen too often anymore. It is possible to see the bridge from either side of the Tennessee River. On the north side, you can see it while driving along TVA Access Road, although there's nowhere to park. On the south side, there is parking for the end of the Tennessee Riverwalk behind the Chattanooga State Community College
Hartford & Slocomb Railroad #913 Hartford & Slocomb was a shortline that operated 22 miles of track near Dothan, AL until 1992. Now, this engine is seen at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga. This Alco RS-1 was built in 1950 and was one of ten built originally for the Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railroad.
Southern Serves the South Look Ahead - Look South This faded and cracking Southern logo was seen on a vintage passenger railcar at the Tennessee Valley Railway Museum in Chattanooga.
CSX Caboose 903913 - Etowah, TN With as many cabooses I've seen over the years, and as many CSX trains I've seen over the years, it occurred to me as I was photographing this one on the other side of the tracks that I'd never seen a CSX caboose before. It makes sense, I suppose. The need for cabooses had already diminished by the time CSX was formed in 1986, but it makes you wonder how many of them are out there. Flickr user hunter1828 has this photo of what it looked like when it was fresh and new: www.flickr.com/photos/hunter1828/6457969447/in/faves-bren...
Chessie System 900051 Caboose This has been left at the Franklin, TN Freight Depot
Wabash #2774 Caboose Seen at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. If you stumble across older photos of this caboose, you'll see that the cupola has been painted not too long ago.
Rogersville, TN Passenger Station This well maintained train depot was built by Southern ca. 1890 and was the end of the line from Bulls Gap. The tracks are long gone, but today the building holds the Rogersville Heritage Association and the Tennessee Newspaper and Printing Museum. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/charming-tn/ Here Are The 10 Most Beautiful, Charming Small Towns In Tennessee
Tennessee Valley Railroad #1824 The train was returning from their daily excursion, the Missionary Ridge Local. It was the third time this year I got an engineer to wave at me. This is what their website has to say about this locomotive: "This diesel-electric locomotive, built by EMD in the early 1950s for the U.S. Army, would have switched freight cars at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant. It is a GP-7 type locomotive, developing 1,500 horsepower and proving to be one of the more versatile designs of the mid-Twentieth century, hauling both freight and passengers in various settings."
Tennessee Valley Railroad Office Car #98 According to the marker: Office car #98 was built in 1917 for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. It was first used by the President of the railroad before being assigned to a vice-president the following year. Such executives would have used the car to tour the railroad making inspections of tracks and facilities along the way. The car features a kitchen, crew quarters, dining room, three staterooms, two restrooms with showers, and lounge. Appointments include mahogany paneling, brass fixtures and stained glass interior windows. Today, TVRM guests may charter the 98 on our longer excursions to enjoy their own private car experience.
L&N Caboose - Etowah, TN Bay windowed caboose #100 is located on the grounds of the important Etowah depot. Etowah is a city in McMinn County that was established by L&N to serve as a halfway point on the line that ran from Atlanta to Cincinnati.
CN 5288 Steam Locomotive - Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum This Locomotive was built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1919 for the Canadian National Railroad. It is known as a "Pacific" locomotive, having a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement: four small guide wheels in front, six large driving wheels, and two small trailing wheels under the locomotive cab. The very large driving wheels betray this locomotive as a high-speed passenger engine. Freight locomotives has smaller wheels, which gave them more pulling power for the long freight trains, while passenger engines had large wheels, which gave them less pulling power for the shorter passenger trains, but higher speeds.
CSX Cumberland Bypass Bridge This tall and long railroad bridge crosses the Cumberland River to the east and upstream of downtown Nashville. The southern end of the bridge on the right is located next to the Omohundro water filtration plant (an area that is usually off limits to most people.) The northern end runs through Shelby Park as many segments of the trestle can be walked or driven under. It was completed in 1914 by L&N to provide a spur to bypass Union Station. If you're into bridge specifics, here's an article published in the Engineering Record of August 30, 1913: "The Cumberland River Bridge of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad is approximately 3000 ft. long. including a viaduct approach at each end, one 300' and three 200' throughtruss river spans and three 135' deck truss spans, all of which have riveted connections except the pin connected 300' span . The substructure is enterely of concrete, of which there about 1700 yd. which were built in cofferdams of interlocking steel sheet piling, under an average head of about 16' of water. All foundations were carried down to bed rock to a depth of 130' below base of rail. In three of the cofferdams considerabme difficulty was experienced from encountering open conduits leading to the city waterwork pumping station, close to one end of the bridge. The concrete was mixed in a plant on each bank of the river and was carried by hauling engines to the different piers. All of the truss spans are erected on falsework built with an overhead traveling stiffleg derrick. It is expected that the erection will be completed this fall. The steel superstructure was fabricated by the American Bridge Co and erected by the Foster-Creighton-Gould Co, of Nashville, Tenn., wich has also constructed the substructure."
Jasper, TN City Hall (old depot) To me, this looks like an old train depot, but I don't see any tracks. It is in the town square, across from the Marion County Courthouse. US41 / 64 / 72 runs past this, as the "Cummings Highway" to Chattanooga stops here.
Norfolk Southern Locomotive #3052 I was visiting this Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga when this train passed by on the nearby live tracks. Several Decades ago, the railroad decided it needed more freight capacity and built new tracks that go around Missionary Ridge. The museum takes advatage of the otherwise unused older tracks that pass through the historic Missionary Ridge Tunnel towards town. While you're at the museum seeing the vintage rolling stock on display, you might also see a modern train go by.
Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail Bridge near Sunset The bridge in the photo here does not cross the Cumberland River, but instead is a bridge that's now part of the "Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail" in Cheatham County. Instead, the bridge crosses Sycamore Creek less than a mile before it runs into the Cumberland River. The Parker Through Truss bridge was originally built by the American Bridge Co. in 1901. The railroad bridge was built by Tennessee Central railway as part of their line that connected Nashville to Clarksville. This portion of line has long since been abandoned (although the current short line Nashville & Western uses the line from Nashville to Ashland City). In the Mid to late 1990's, the Ashland City Parks and Recreation Department partnered with the Rails to Trails conservancy to convert the former rail line into a the pedestrian trail. For more info about the trail, insluding directions to the entrance, visit their website here: cumberlandrivertrail.org/
Smyrna, TN Train Depot & CSX #989 Here is the railroad station of the town I call home. The city of Smyrna has its roots to when a station was built here in 1851 and the town sprung up around it. (The line that ran from Nashville to Chattanooga placed a depot every 8 or so miles along the route.) This brick depot was built in 1873. The historic building had lied vacant for many years, but it is starting to see a little bit of activity. Most of the town festivals are held at the depot and along Front St. Within the last 5 years, the town has worked on revitalizing the area with landscaping and a roundabout at the intersection in front of the depot. On the day of this photo in 2012, I caught CSX #989 passing by. See the historical marker here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=historical-markers/...
Smyrna, TN Train Depot Here is the railroad station of the town I call home. The city of Smyrna has its roots to when a station was built here in 1851 and the town sprung up around it. (The line that ran from Nashville to Chattanooga placed a depot every 8 or so miles along the route.) This brick depot was built in 1873. The historic building had lied vacant for many years, but it is starting to see a little bit of activity. Most of the town festivals are held at the depot and along Front St. Within the last 5 years, the town has worked on revitalizing the area with landscaping and a roundabout at the intersection in front of the depot. The green flag in the picture is the city's logo. See the historical marker here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=historical-markers/... This photo has been used without permission, violating the creative commons license here: backgroundchecks.org/25-safest-cities-in-tennessee-2016.html The Safest Cities in Tennessee 2016
Monterey Depot Museum at Dusk The Depot in Monterey, TN is a replica station which opened in Feb. 2012. The rail line here was originally part of the Tennessee Central and today they coordinate with the Tennessee Central museum in Nashville, with the furthest excursion train they run coming this far. The museum not only features rail artifacts but also the history of the people of the nearby Upper Cumberland region. www.montereydepot.com/
Rock Island, TN Train Depot Upon my last visit to the town of Rock Island in 2008, I saw how the old NCStL Train Depot was used as a private residence. Today, the depot has been converted into a small antique store. I suppose all of the new decorations to the depot make it visually more interesting. (Make sure you notice the Caboose mailbox on the left.)
Tennessee Central Caboose #9828 Seen at the Depot Museum at night in the Cream City Historical District in Cookeville, TN
GATX 2004 Until seeing this locomotive, GATX is a train company I'd never heard of, as I don't see them listed among the companies that operate in Tennessee. But, now that I've looked them up, their website says their a train leasing company. Anyway, I saw this engine in Copperhill, TN
NC&StL Boxcar PS-1 No. 22524 This Boxcar was built in Feb. 1952 and used by CSX up until the 1980's. Today, the boxcar is on loan from the Tennessee Central Railway Museum and is on display at the Cowan Railroad Museum. To see my other photos from the Depot Museum, look here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/tags/cowanrailroadm...
CSX 5318 Crosses the Nickajack Lake Causeway Nickajack Lake is formed by Nickajack Dam on the Tennessee River in Marion County, TN. This causeway carries one set of tracks as well as highway TN156. The tracks are part of the CSX mainline and every train from Chattanooga to either Nashville or Huntsville passes through here.
100 Years of Illinois Central - Newbern, TN 1851-1951 Mainline of Mid-America. In 1951, IC placed one of these in every county they served. This one is outside the train station in Newbern. Newbern is in Dyer County and is along the historic IC which today is an Amtrak route. (Newbern is one of only two Amtrak stops is TN with Memphis as the other.)
The Children's Holocaust Memorial - Whitwell, TN The small southern town of Whitwell made national headlines when a small school project grew into a major tribute to tolerance and a remembrance for the millions who died in Nazi concentration camps. Whitwell is a small town in Marion County, TN. After the coal mines closed, the area became quite poor. What happened next may help change the perception of what rural life in the south is all about. Without any indication of what was to come, it started simply enough in 1998 in a Whitwell Middle School History class discussing World War II. The teacher discussed how six million Jews were slaughtered in the Nazi camps and a student asked how big Six Million is. In a town of just a little over one thousand people, it's hard to imagine just how big six million really is. One student doing research discovered that people from Norway wore paper clips as a symbol of resistance against the Nazis. The teacher thought it would be an interesting exercise to see if they could gather a few paper clips as a small sampling of how big six million could be. The students began a letter writing campaign asking various people to donate paper clips to the project. After a few thousand had come in, some reporters came to visit the school to see what was going on. Those reporters told about the school's project and told the story nationally. A couple of years after they had started, over 29 Million paper clips had been sent to the school. The school began to ponder what they should do with all of the paper clips. A couple of Jewish reporters who stayed in contact with the school searched Germany and found a vintage rail car which had been used to transport Jewish captives to the camps. The railcar was transported by boat to Baltimore and CSX delivered the car to Chattanooga in 2001. Many students and townspeople came together to make the memorial site a long-lasting tribute. 11 million of the paper clips were placed inside the rail car, remembering not only the Jews but all of the other groups that were also killed in the Nazi camps. This memorial was dedicated on Nov. 9, 2001. A documentary was filmed about the project, a full length movie titled "Paper Clips." I highly recommend everyone interested in this memorial should see that film.
The Children's Holocaust Memorial - Whitwell, TN The small southern town of Whitwell made national headlines when a small school project grew into a major tribute to tolerance and a remembrance for the millions who died in Nazi concentration camps. Whitwell is a small town in Marion County, TN. After the coal mines closed, the area became quite poor. What happened next may help change the perception of what rural life in the south is all about. Without any indication of what was to come, it started simply enough in 1998 in a Whitwell Middle School History class discussing World War II. The teacher discussed how six million Jews were slaughtered in the Nazi camps and a student asked how big Six Million is. In a town of just a little over one thousand people, it's hard to imagine just how big six million really is. One student doing research discovered that people from Norway wore paper clips as a symbol of resistance against the Nazis. The teacher thought it would be an interesting exercise to see if they could gather a few paper clips as a small sampling of how big six million could be. The students began a letter writing campaign asking various people to donate paper clips to the project. After a few thousand had come in, some reporters came to visit the school to see what was going on. Those reporters told about the school's project and told the story nationally. A couple of years after they had started, over 29 Million paper clips had been sent to the school. The school began to ponder what they should do with all of the paper clips. A couple of Jewish reporters who stayed in contact with the school searched Germany and found a vintage rail car which had been used to transport Jewish captives to the camps. The railcar was transported by boat to Baltimore and CSX delivered the car to Chattanooga in 2001. Many students and townspeople came together to make the memorial site a long-lasting tribute. 11 million of the paper clips were placed inside the rail car, remembering not only the Jews but all of the other groups that were also killed in the Nazi camps. This memorial was dedicated on Nov. 9, 2001. A documentary was filmed about the project, a full length movie titled "Paper Clips." I highly recommend everyone interested in this memorial should see that film. Finally, I uploaded these photos today because it is Holocaust Remembrance day (also known as Yom HaShoah.
Tennessee Central Orange Maintenance Car Seen at the Depot Museum at Monterey, TN
Clinchfield Depot - Johnson City, TN It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the "Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio Railroad Station and Depot." The brick building was built in 1930. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/charming-tn-town/ This Charming Tennessee Town Is Picture Perfect For An Autumn Day Trip
Cowan, TN Passenger Depot (2013) The Cowan Depot is wood frame and built in 1904 for the NC&StL railway. When in use, it was originally on the other side of the still-in-use-by-CSX tracks but moved further away to its current location in 1976. It's built in a railroad Gothic style architecture and has been repainted to the original green and yellow colors. The building is in the process of renovation. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Every year, the town has a Summer Weekend festival called Cowan Depot Days with the goal of raising money to further restore the station. Cowan is located on the historic line that runs from Nashville to Chattanooga and is perhaps best known by railfans as the last stop before ascending Cumberland Mountain and the picturesque but almost inaccessible Cumberland Mountain Tunnel entrance. CSX keeps pusher cars on hand to help trains make the incline to the top. Steam Locomotive #1 has been the highlight of the Cowan Railroad Museum for many years. It's a Columbia Type 2-4-2. It was built by Porter in 1920 as a tenderless Tank style locomotive and converted with a small homemade tender and had the saddle tank removed. The cab used to contain a small coal bunker. The Engine was functional around Charleston, SC until 1964 when it was sold to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Then, was sold to the Cowan museum in 1979. To see my other photos from the Depot Museum, look here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/tags/cowanrailroadm...
Union Pacific #5128 I thought UP didn't venture into Tennessee other than at Memphis. However, on rare occasions I've started to see them on the CSX line from Chattanooga to Nashville, such as along this location in Tullahoma. The Union Pacific train here is even paired with a CSX engine, and I would have assumed they were rivals.
Caney Fork & Western Railroad #105 The Caney Fork and Western Railroad (CFWR) is a shortline railroad operating since 1983 from a connection with CSX at Tullahoma to McMinnville, TN, 61 miles along old NCStL tracks. Currently the railroad is a subsidiary of Ironhorse Resources. Principal commodities include lumber, steel, fertilizer, grain, propane, and carbon black, generating approximately 1,350 annual carloads. This locomotive is seen parked at their main office in McMinnville.
Caney Fork & Western Caboose The Caney Fork and Western Railroad (CFWR) is a shortline railroad operating since 1983 from a connection with CSX at Tullahoma to McMinnville, TN, 61 miles along old NCStL tracks. Currently the railroad is a subsidiary of Ironhorse Resources. Principal commodities include lumber, steel, fertilizer, grain, propane, and carbon black, generating approximately 1,350 annual carloads. This caboose is seen parked at their main office in McMinnville.
Chessie Caboose & Dining Car - Jackson, TN Seen as part of the historic Jackson, TN Depot Museum are these two railroad cars that can be walked through. The Dining Car includes several tales and a full kitchen. The Caboose was originally a Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Extended Vision Caboose #3255.
Judge Milton Brown Pullman Railcar - Jackson, TN Milton Brown was a prominent lawyer and U.S. Congressman from Jackson. He was the president of Mobile & Ohio Railroad from 1856 to 1871 and is credited with bringing the railroad to Jackson. This railcar was commissioned in 1948 by GM&O railroad and was completed by Pullman at a cost of $148,000. Completed in 1950, it was the last new passenger railcar dedicated to GM&O and one of only four ever made of this model. It continued in service until 1969. Eventually, it was moved to the Greater Cincinnati Railway Museum in Covington, KY. In 2008, the railcar whose namesake was from Jackson was relocated there. It now is on display at Casey Jones Village in the parking area between the Casey Jones Museum and the Brooks Shaw's Old County Store. The railcar is actually used as the offices for radio station WAMP, part of the American Family Radio network.
Etowah, TN L&N Depot In 1902, the Louisville & Nashville Railroad decided they needed a more direct route between Atlanta and Cincinnati. Along this proposed updated route, they found a spot in McMinn County, TN that was about halway between the two cities that would serve as a good terminal and crew stop. Thus, the city of Etowah, and it's important Station were born. The 15 room Victorian structure made of yellow pine seen here was soon finished at a cost of $13,000. Passenger service lasted until 1968 and the depot soon closed. However, since this is still a prime railroad location, CSX continues to many operations along the tracks. The railroad donated the building to the city and by 1981 the depot was open again as a museum after several years of restoration. The depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Partnering with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum out of Chattanooga, there is an excursion train which operates from here. Known as the Hiawasee Loop, the excursion follows along the tracks which parallel the Hiawasee River and then ascends to the famous spot on Bald Mountain where the tracks cross over themselves, forming a loop known as "The Eye." (These are the tracks that the new line through Etowah was designed to bypass.)
Etowah, TN L&N Depot In 1902, the Louisville & Nashville Railroad decided they needed a more direct route between Atlanta and Cincinnati. Along this proposed updated route, they found a spot in McMinn County, TN that was about halway between the two cities that would serve as a good terminal and crew stop. Thus, the city of Etowah, and it's important Station were born. The 15 room Victorian structure made of yellow pine seen here was soon finished at a cost of $13,000. Passenger service lasted until 1968 and the depot soon closed. However, since this is still a prime railroad location, CSX continues to many operations along the tracks. The railroad donated the building to the city and by 1981 the depot was open again as a museum after several years of restoration. The depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Partnering with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum out of Chattanooga, there is an excursion train which operates from here. Known as the Hiawasee Loop, the excursion follows along the tracks which parallel the Hiawasee River and then ascends to the famous spot on Bald Mountain where the tracks cross over themselves, forming a loop known as "The Eye." (These are the tracks that the new line through Etowah was designed to bypass.) Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/small-town-tennessee/ 10 Small Towns In Tennessee Where Everyone Knows Your Name
Music City Star, Nashville's Passenger train This is one of the traincar's for the new Music City Star passenger train line that will soon connect Lebanon, TN with downtown Nashville. on this day, the traincar was parked near the trains of the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. Original plans were for this to be up and running by now. Does anyone know when they will start? Hello to anyone who found this photo at: franklin.thefuntimesguide.com/our-town-franklinnashville/... or en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_City_Star or here: nashvillest.com/2008/06/13/happy-hour-plains-trains-autom... Happy Hour: Plains, Trains, & Automobiles or linked to from here: msbootyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2009/05/random-play.html or here: segurosparaviajes.com/la-omt-anima-a-que-la-gripe-a-no-co... or here: www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/02/16/nashville-consider...
Railroad Mural - Paris, TN This mural depicts an Orange and Yellow locomotive pulling a brown caboose which is chased by a couple of anthropomorphic dogs with their pizza and beer. If you'r wondering why there'd be pizza and beer in this mural, it must have been commissioned by a local pizza place. The name PAPA J (not Papa Johns) was painted on the train, and then painted over in a different shade of orange. In Paris, the railroad went right down the middle of Fentress St. and is seen along the street in this picture. The 1896 NCStL depot is just down the street a couple of blocks.
Kentucky West Tennessee (KWT) Railroad 1809 Kentucky West Tennessee Railroad is a short line railroad that runs from Murray, KY through Paris, TN to Bruceton, TN where it interchanges with CSX. This photo was taken in Bruceton where there is a major CSX freight yard. KWT was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in 2005 and this locomotive is painted in their yellow and orange paint scheme. A second line also runs from Dresden to McKenzie.
Kentucky West Tennessee (KWT) Railroad (New & Old) Kentucky West Tennessee Railroad is a short line railroad that runs from Murray, KY through Paris, TN to Bruceton, TN where it interchanges with CSX. This photo was taken in Bruceton where there is a major CSX freight yard. KWT was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in 2005 and this locomotive is painted in their yellow and orange paint scheme. A second line also runs from Dresden to McKenzie.
Scenes from Thomas Park: Caboose - Huntingdon, TN The following text is taken from a sign at the park: Thomas Park was established in 1906 by the Civic Improvement Club, a women's group whose primary objective was the beautification of their hometown. The Club took on the task of making the area on East Main Street around the train depot more enticing to visitors. The area was named Thomas Park in honor of Major John W. Thomas, Sr., president of the NCStL Railroad, 1884-1906. The concrete arch was erected in 1909 by the NCStL and remains today as a Huntingdon landmark. The train depot, located in the park until 1967, was the point where many young Carroll County soldiers boarded the train for destinations known and unknown in service to our country. Oral tradition holds that John Philip Sousa's band played in Thomas Park sometime just prior to World War I. The train transporting the band stopped at the Thomas Park depot to take on water for the steam engine. The passengers were required to disembark, at which time the band was persuaded to perform for the waiting passengers. A later group, the Huntingdon Women's Garden Club, maintained the park and made major improvements in 1985. Improvements included landscaping and walkways funded by the family of Jimmie Lee and Georgia Taylor. The gazebo was funded by the O.B. and Lela Enochs family. In 1993, the Huntingdon Beautification Committee was formed and assisted in seasonal upkeep of the park. In 1995, CSX railroad donated the caboose, which was subsequently refurbished for display. Under the leadership of Mayor Dale R. Kelley, the Town of Huntingdon finally acquired legal title to the Thomas Park property from CSX in 1998. original bricks from the train depot were incorporated into the paved walkway in front of the caboose. Further renovations to the park by the Town of Huntingdon in the year 2000 were also made possible by local donations. Carroll Bank & Trust, Trustee for The Wright Charitable Trust, contributed funds for the War Memorial monument, fountain and flag poles. The memorial honors all veterans and is inscribed with the names of Carroll County soldiers who died while serving in the wars of our country. Woodmen of the World Lodge #445 donated the first giant American flag to fly at the memorial. Friends and family of Danny and Joyce Carter donated two marble benches and two lampposts. Additional lamppost donations were made in memory of Dorothy Ellis and former Huntingdon Mayor Lee H. Chance. The successful renovation of Thomas Park is due these generous donations, to the vision and leadership of Mayor Dale R. Kelley and to the dedicated efforts of the Town of Huntingdon employees. We commend their talents and hard work in making Thomas Park a beautiful focal point of out community and historic memorial to our past.
Tippy the Dog - Etowah, TN On a recent trip to Etowah and the train station which was central to the town, walking along the grounds I stumbled across this worn headstone for Tippy the Dog. The year is partially worn but Tippy must have lived from 1948 to the 1960s. I don't know if Tippy belonged to one of the railroad Engineers or was just a stray that was particularly fond of one, but whenever the engineer was out, Tippy would wait for him to return. The others would feed and water Tippy until the engineer got back.
GMTX 2604 Locomotive This Locomotive was used for the Hiawasee River Rail excursion train as part of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. This particular excursion is based out of the historic Etowah Depot, but the train doesn't actually depart from there, since the tracks through Etowah are heavily used by CSX. Instead, passengers get on a bus and head to the location of the former Gee Creek boarding stop, which is where I am here. This was the locomotive they hired out for the excursion trip I took recently.
Monterey Depot Museum The Depot in Monterey, TN is a replica station which opened in Feb. 2012. The rail line here was originally part of the Tennessee Central and today they coordinate with the Tennessee Central museum in Nashville, with the furthest excursion train they run coming this far. The museum not only features rail artifacts but also the history of the people of the nearby Upper Cumberland region. www.montereydepot.com/
Jamestown, TN Oneida & Western Depot This photo has been Explored peaking at #84. I am always so humbled whenever this happens. It never happens on the pictures I expect. This depot was built by the Oneida & Western Railroad decided to extend their line another 7 miles past their previous end of East Jamestown in 1930. O&W was started by the Tennessee Stave and Lumber Company, but their railroad soon started losing money after extending to Jamestown. Passengers could board a train here and take the 37 mile trip to Oneida and from there connect to Southern Railway. In 1942, O&W was sold to Crown-Healy Company of Illinois on news that TVA was planning to build a dam on Wolf Creek near Jamestown. WWII delayed building that dam until 1946, and by then, another building company had won the bid for the dam project. Then, Jewel Ridge Coal Corporation bought the line when coal mines were proposed in the area, but this did not amount to enough business. The last train left this station on March 2, 1954. Later, this depot was sold and used as a business. Today, the building is vacant.
The Last Remaining NC&StL Roundhouse This long abandoned roundhouse is located at the end of the Bruceton Yard, which is now used by CSX. NC&StL originally built a wooden roundhouse here but it burned down a few years later. Then, this Roundhouse of brick and concrete with eight stalls was built in 1925. Bruceton is a town in eastern part of Carroll County, TN
Tullahoma Caboose according to the nearby historical marker: The car displayed here is a side bay window model caboose built in 1964 by the Louisville & Nashville railroad at the company's south Louisville yards. The exterior is restored to the original L&N red. The purpose of a caboose was to provide crewmen a better view of potential problems with the train. Some of the earliest cabooses were designed with a cupola or "crow's nest." As train cars became taller, however, the side bay window was introduced. The early wooden L&N cabooses were distinguished by cupolas, while the NC&StL cabooses were designed with the side bay window. After NCStL merged with L&N in 1957, the L&N incorporated the bay window design
Random Caboose at Casey Jones Village As part of the Casey Jones Village mega tourist attraction is the Casey Jones Motel. Behind the motel are a couple of old passenger trains and this caboose. I don't know if this is part of a "sleep on an old train car" or just something else to see while in the area.
PictSweet SW9 Locomotive #9419 Pictwseet is a frozen vegetable company located in Bells, TN and apprantly that have a need to operate trains at their facility. This locomotive used to be owner by B&O. Here's a cool photo someone else has of this train from 1975 www.flickr.com/photos/46606605@N06/7133594889/
Clinton, TN Train Depot This passenger train station was originally owner by Southern Railway. The tracks on the right are active and still in use by NS.
Central of Georgia Steam Locomotive #349 This Steam locomotive is one of the rolling stock on display (but non-functional) at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga. This upcoming weekend is the yearly railfest. www.tvrail.com/pages/railfest Here's the info about this train engine from their marker: Built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1891 for the Central of Georgia Railway, the 349 is one of the few remaining examples of the most common type of locomotive ever built. The design was so ubiquitous that it earned the name "American" locomotive. It is distinguished by its four small wheels in the front and four large wheels behind, with no wheels in the rear. Thus it is a 4-4-0 type wheel arrangement. Various locomotive manufacturers built the American-type locomotive from prior to the Civil War until the 1920's.
TVRM Railfest 2013: Southern Steam Locomotive #630 Departs Railfest is the annual celebration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. This year as part of the celebration, they offered Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 as an excursion round trip to Cleveland, TN. This photo was taken as the train departed the station. I took a ton of photos, and as of this writing, I haven't picked my flickr-worthy favorites yet, but you can see quite a thorough collection of photos of #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with Southern FP7 #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/railfes... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: Just the steam train departure seen here: youtu.be/QVBCATNnTQI That, and more footage of the steam train: youtu.be/85iljPK1TfY All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
TVRM Railfest 2013: Southern FP7 #6133 on the Turntable As part of the activites of the 2013 Railfest at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Southern Railway's EMD FP7 #6133 made a visit. This Diesel locomotive built in 1950 was used to pull their excursion, the Missionary Ridge Local throughout the weekend. It is normally on display at the North Carolina Transportation Museum which offers this writeup: "Southern Railway #6133: The locomotive was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in 1950. This FP-7, operated by the Southern Railway, was the property of the CNO&TP (Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific). The FP designation meant the locomotive could be used for passenger or freight trains, using a 567-B 16 cylinder prime mover, generating 1500 horsepower. These were F-7 freight locomotives with a steam generator placed at the rear of the locomotive, increasing body length by four feet. FP-7 locomotives were used on small branch-line passenger trains throughout the Southern Railway System. By the late 1970s, there were very few FP-7s left on the roster due to Southern eliminating many passenger trains. The 5-8 left were used for excursion trains as part of the Steam Program begun in 1966. The 6133 was donated to the NCTHC in 1980, and restored by the volunteers to its original green/ imitation aluminum paint scheme. It is used to pull the train ride around the property when needed." I took more photos of #6133 than I have posted to flickr. You can also see quite a thorough collection of photos of the highlighted steam locomotive Southern #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery/index.php?album=chattanooga%2Frailfe... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
TVRM Railfest 2013: Southern FP7 #6133 Excursion As part of the activities of the 2013 Railfest at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Southern Railway's EMD FP7 #6133 made a visit. This Diesel locomotive built in 1950 was used to pull their excursion, the Missionary Ridge Local throughout the weekend. It is normally on display at the North Carolina Transportation Museum which offers this writeup: "Southern Railway #6133: The locomotive was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in 1950. This FP-7, operated by the Southern Railway, was the property of the CNO&TP (Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific). The FP designation meant the locomotive could be used for passenger or freight trains, using a 567-B 16 cylinder prime mover, generating 1500 horsepower. These were F-7 freight locomotives with a steam generator placed at the rear of the locomotive, increasing body length by four feet. FP-7 locomotives were used on small branch-line passenger trains throughout the Southern Railway System. By the late 1970s, there were very few FP-7s left on the roster due to Southern eliminating many passenger trains. The 5-8 left were used for excursion trains as part of the Steam Program begun in 1966. The 6133 was donated to the NCTHC in 1980, and restored by the volunteers to its original green/ imitation aluminum paint scheme. It is used to pull the train ride around the property when needed." I took more photos of #6133 than I have posted to flickr. You can also see quite a thorough collection of photos of the highlighted steam locomotive Southern #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga%2Frailfe... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
TVRM Railfest 2013: Southern FP7 #6133 As part of the activities of the 2013 Railfest at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Southern Railway's EMD FP7 #6133 made a visit. This Diesel locomotive built in 1950 was used to pull their excursion, the Missionary Ridge Local throughout the weekend. It is normally on display at the North Carolina Transportation Museum which offers this writeup: "Southern Railway #6133: The locomotive was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in 1950. This FP-7, operated by the Southern Railway, was the property of the CNO&TP (Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific). The FP designation meant the locomotive could be used for passenger or freight trains, using a 567-B 16 cylinder prime mover, generating 1500 horsepower. These were F-7 freight locomotives with a steam generator placed at the rear of the locomotive, increasing body length by four feet. FP-7 locomotives were used on small branch-line passenger trains throughout the Southern Railway System. By the late 1970s, there were very few FP-7s left on the roster due to Southern eliminating many passenger trains. The 5-8 left were used for excursion trains as part of the Steam Program begun in 1966. The 6133 was donated to the NCTHC in 1980, and restored by the volunteers to its original green/ imitation aluminum paint scheme. It is used to pull the train ride around the property when needed." I took more photos of #6133 than I have posted to flickr. You can also see quite a thorough collection of photos of the highlighted steam locomotive Southern #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga%2Frailfe... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
TVRM Railfest 2013 - Tennessee Valley WT51 WT stands for Water Tender. This train car follows the Southern #630 Steam Locomotive.Railfest is the annual celebration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. This year as part of the celebration, they offered Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 as an excursion round trip to Cleveland, TN. You can see quite a thorough collection of photos of #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with Southern FP7 #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/railfes... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: Just the steam train departure seen here: youtu.be/QVBCATNnTQI That, and more footage of the steam train: youtu.be/85iljPK1TfY All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
Steam Train Panning - Southern #630 at TVRM Railfest 2013 Railfest is the annual celebration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. This year as part of the celebration, they offered Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 as an excursion round trip to Cleveland, TN. This photo was taken as the train was returning to the station. This locomtoive was built in 1904 by the American Locomotive Company Richmond Works. It was restored to operation at TVRM in 2011 and is now part of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program. You can see quite a thorough collection of photos of #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with Southern FP7 #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/railfes... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: Just the steam train departure seen here: youtu.be/QVBCATNnTQI That, and more footage of the steam train: youtu.be/85iljPK1TfY All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM
Southern 2879 GP38 Diesel Locomotive This Locomotive was used by NS until about a decade ago, where it was donated to the Tennessee valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga. From there, the museum repainted it in the original Southern colors, but by now, the paint has started to chip again. It used to be known as the "John A. Chambliss" at one time it was owned by the Tennessee Alabama & Georgia Railway as #80. For this locomotive's full history, look here: www.steamlocomotive.info/F82003.cfm This photo was taken during Railfest 2013. It is located at the TVRM East Chattanooga yard, where they perform the restorations. You can see quite a thorough collection of railfest photos of Southern Steam #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with Southern FP7 #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/railfes...
Southern #630 comes around the bend - 2013 Railfest Railfest is the annual celebration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. This year as part of the celebration, they offered Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 as an excursion round trip to Cleveland, TN. Once the locomotive made it back to the Chattanooga station, it had to be repositioned from one end of the train to the other, which it is seen here doing along their wye. This locomotive was built in 1904 by the American Locomotive Company Richmond Works. It was restored to operation at TVRM in 2011 and is now part of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program. You can see quite a thorough collection of photos of #630, the Missionary Ridge Local with Southern FP7 #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/railfes... Also, I took video and put it on youtube: Just the steam train departure seen here: youtu.be/QVBCATNnTQI That, and more footage of the steam train: youtu.be/85iljPK1TfY All the steam footage, plus the Missionary Ridge local: youtu.be/AhCCpvO41iM Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/unlimited-tn-cities/ Everyone In Tennessee Must Visit These Bigger Cities For Their Unlimited Options
TVRM Railfest 2013: Southern GP30 #2594 Railfest is the annual celebration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN. In addition to the featured Southern #630 Steam Locomotive were two diesel engines, this one and Southern FP7 #6133 which pulled visitors along the Missionary Ridge local throughout the day. According to the TVRM website: "General Motors Corporation’s Electro-Motive Division built the 2594 in 1962 for the Southern Railway. On loan from the Atlanta Chapter NRHS, it is known as a GP-30 and has over 2,000 horsepower. The engine would have been used in tandem with other diesel-electric locomotives to haul long freight trains across the country. Today, the 2594 hauls TVRM’s excursion trains and wears the same historic Southern Railway paint scheme as when it was new. " You can see quite a thorough collection of photos of #2594, Steam #630, #6133, and other rolling stock on the grounds. This gallery is on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/railfes...
Railfest 2013: NS #3052 Built as EMD GP40-2, this locomotive was originally Conrail. Seen at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's Railfest 2013 as a fixed display.
Train Bridge, Bicentennial Park, Nashville A CSX train engine crosses over the bridge which is part of the entrance to Bicentennial Mall State Park in Nashville, TN. In the background, people sit in the ampitheater to enjoy a sunny day. This picture is taken from Capitol Hill on the north side of the state capitol
