Train Travel

Visit Chattanooga the home of the famous song.

Visit the railway town made famous by the Glenn Miller song about the steam train. This is one of the reasons that train enthusiasts visit this part of Tennessee. It is a railway that has been immortalised by the song but more importantly is the gateway to the railways of the South. Georgia's Western&Atlantic Railroad linked Chattanooga to Atlanta in 1850 and this was the beginning of the ral networks that linked the Southern cotton and corn country to the industries of the North.

The railway caused fierce battles in the town during the American Civil War, because whoever held the town had control of the supply lines to the south. Although Amtrak has no line into the town any more, the locals have not forgotton their railway heritage and in 1959 the Tennessee Valley Railroad (TVR) was founded by a groupof rail enthusiasts.

To enjoy the scenery and become more aware of the Tennessee countryside take the round journey on Missionary Ridge. The carriages are pulled along the leafy track, to East Chattanooga , by a Baldwin, Lima & Harris 1954 locomotive. The train crosses a bridge that is 80 feet above Chickamauga Creek before entering a pre Civil War tunnel.

On arriving at East Chattanooga the train pulls onto a turntable, passengers are encouraged to disembark to witness the event as the train slowly revolves. TVR volunteers are eager to show passengers the repair and maintenance shop. At Grand Junction, it is also possible to see the 1898 Central of Georgia engine with cow-catcher and scarlet cab roof bought by one of the railway's vice-presidents as a toy for his grandchildren and the Pullman Eden Isle which featured in the movie Some Like it Hot.

On arrival back in Chattanooga look for the old railway terminal which is now a Holiday Inn. The building was designed by a Beaux Arts Institute prize-winner and has an 85ft dome. It first opened in 1909. Where the old ticket office used to be there is now the reception desk. The carriages that are still standing on the platform are now bedrooms for the hotel guests.

As well as experiencing train journeys Chattanooga also offers other attractions such as: cruising down the Tennessee River on the Southern Belle where local wildlife can be seen. Or visit the Tennessee Aquarium which has displays from the Amazon, Volga and Mississippi deltas. A short drive away at Chickamauga there is a self-guided tour through well sign-posted fields and woods around the Civil War Battlefields.

How to get there.

By air, British Airways fly direct, daily to Atlanta from Gatwick. For up to date prices and more information contact BA by telephone on: 0870 850 9850; or online at: www.ba.com. On arriving in Atlanta hire a car to get to Chattanooga. Cars can be hired ahead of your journey through a variety of companies. An example is Hertz who can be contacted by telephone on: 08708 448 844; or online at: www.hertz.co.uk.

Where to stay.

The Chattanooga Choo Choo Holiday Inn, 1400 Market Street, Chattanooga cotact online: www.choochoo.com or by telephone on: 001423 266 5000. Prices for double rooms start from £49 per night, or choose rooms in restored Victorian train cars where prices start from £88. There is a model railway in the hotel but a visit will cost a nominal charge for adults and children.

Train journey information.

There are several journeys to choose from. There are Autumn Leaf Specials which run through October on Saturdays and Sundays.The 100 mile, steam powered round trips to Summerville, Georgia cost from £44 per person. This train has a dining car. The trip is very popular so it is essential to book.There is also a train journey along the Missionary Ridge which costs from £7 for adults, £3.62 for children.

Further information.

Other interesting places to visit are: Tennessee Valley Railroad and Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga telephone: 423 894 8028;online at: www.tvrail.com. Open daily April-October, weekends only in November. Or the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, 2829 Cherokee Street, Kennesaw telephone: 770 427 2117, ext.110; or online at: www.southernmuseum.or. Open Monday-Saturday, 9.30am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm; £4.17 adults, £4 children, senior citizens, £3.62. Or the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors' Bureau, 2 Broad Street, find out more online at:www.chattanoogafun.com.