There’s something special about riding an old-fashioned train, especially when you hear the whistle blow, feel the tracks rumble beneath your seat, and watch the scenery roll by outside your window.
Tennessee has some seriously cool train rides that take you back in time, from vintage steam locomotives chugging through wooded mountains to historic railcars following winding rivers and climbing surprisingly steep hills.
Some rides take you through tunnels built before the Civil War, while others feature incredible mountain views, century-old railroad tracks, and even festive holiday adventures.
Whether you’re looking for a quick scenic ride or a longer journey with a little history thrown in, these 7 scenic train rides in Tennessee are worth adding to your bucket list!
1. Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Chattanooga
At 4119 Cromwell Road in Chattanooga, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum takes you back to the golden age of rail travel with beautifully restored vintage trains, historic locomotives, and scenic rides through the Tennessee countryside.
The museum’s most popular adventure is the Missionary Ridge Local, a six-mile, 65-minute round-trip journey that travels through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel, built in the 1850s.
It also includes a fascinating demonstration of a working railroad turntable.
For a longer adventure, hop aboard the seasonal Chickamauga Turn, a roughly six-hour excursion that crosses the Georgia state line and stops in the historic town of Chickamauga.
You can also explore vintage railcars, watch locomotives being turned around, and enjoy special themed rides like the North Pole Limited, a festive Christmas train experience.
2. Dollywood Express, Pigeon Forge
If you thought old-fashioned train rides couldn’t get any more fun, wait until you hop aboard the Dollywood Express at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge.
A historic steam locomotive takes you on a scenic five-mile journey through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
This 20-minute ride features authentic steam locomotives dating from the late 1930s and early 1940s, including locomotives that once hauled lumber through the mountains of Alaska.
You’ll board at the Village Depot, where the train’s whistle announces its departure.
The train then chugs past wooded hillsides, mountain scenery, and sections of the park that you can’t see from the walking paths.
Best of all, the ride is included with your Dollywood admission, so you can enjoy a relaxing train trip between roller coasters, live music shows, and delicious cinnamon bread.
3. Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, Chattanooga
For a train ride that takes things to a whole new level, head to the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway in Chattanooga.
You’ll climb one of the world’s steepest passenger railways while enjoying incredible views of the surrounding mountains and Tennessee Valley.
Operating since 1895, this historic railway travels one mile up Lookout Mountain, reaching a jaw-dropping 72.7% grade near the top, which is why it’s nicknamed “America’s Most Amazing Mile.”
The ride takes about 10 minutes each way in a specially designed railcar with large windows, giving you a front-row seat to the steep tracks, wooded slopes, and city views below.
Once you reach the upper station, check out the observation deck or walk to nearby Point Park, a Civil War battlefield site with sweeping views of Chattanooga and the Tennessee River.
4. Hiwassee River Rail Adventure, Etowah
If steep mountain climbs sound exciting, wait until you experience the Hiwassee River Rail Adventure in Etowah, where vintage passenger trains follow the winding Hiwassee River through the Cherokee National Forest in southeastern Tennessee.
The popular Hiwassee Loop excursion covers approximately 50 miles round trip, taking about 4.5 hours as you travel past forested hills, rocky riverbanks, and sections of the river famous for whitewater rafting.
The biggest highlight is the historic Hiwassee Loop, an impressive engineering feat where the tracks circle Bald Mountain and cross over themselves as the train climbs the steep terrain.
Your adventure begins in Delano, Tennessee, where you’ll board a shuttle bus to the train departure point.
You can also choose the longer Copperhill Special excursion for a full-day journey to the Tennessee-Georgia border.
5. Tennessee Central Railway Museum, Nashville
For a change of scenery, head to the Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville, where you can trade busy city streets for a nostalgic train ride aboard beautifully restored passenger cars from the 1940s and 1950s.
Located at 220 Willow Street, this volunteer-run museum preserves Tennessee’s railroad heritage and operates special excursions through Middle Tennessee, often pulled by vintage diesel locomotives.
One of its regular excursions takes you roughly 90 miles round trip through rolling farmland and small towns to historic Watertown.
There, you can browse antique shops and grab lunch around the town square.
The museum also hosts themed rides, including murder mystery trains and seasonal excursions, so check its schedule before visiting since passenger trains operate on select dates rather than daily.
6. Three Rivers Rambler, Knoxville
If you love train rides with beautiful river views, the Three Rivers Rambler in Knoxville offers a relaxing journey along the Tennessee River, with historic railcars, wooded riverbanks, and a close-up look at some of the city’s famous landmarks.
This roughly 11-mile round-trip excursion takes about two hours during the Christmas season, following the river past the University of Tennessee campus and the historic Henley Street Bridge.
One of the coolest sights along the route is where the Holston and French Broad rivers meet to form the Tennessee River, giving this charming railroad its Three Rivers name.
The train is especially popular during the holiday season, when the Christmas Lantern Express brings festive decorations, seasonal storytelling, and family-friendly fun aboard vintage passenger cars.
Be sure to check the operating schedule before planning your trip.
7. Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum, Jonesborough
Rounding out your Tennessee train adventure is the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum in Jonesborough.
There, you can experience vintage rail travel aboard beautifully restored passenger cars while exploring the railroad heritage of Northeast Tennessee.
Established in 1981, this volunteer-run organization maintains historic railcars, including the beautifully restored Moultrie dining car, and organizes special excursions through the scenic Appalachian region.
One of its seasonal adventures is the Autumn Train Excursion on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which travels from Bryson City, North Carolina, to Nantahala Gorge and back.
The route follows the former Southern Railway Murphy Branch and crosses the Fontana Lake trestle.
Unlike railways offering daily departures, these trips run on select dates, so check the society’s excursion calendar in advance and book early if you want to experience this old-fashioned railroad adventure.
Related Posts
