ME: 8/1/07 Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

When we checked into our hotel last night, Marty asked the desk clerk what she would recommend we see and do in Chattanooga. She said there was an awful lot to choose from but her favorites were the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (her dad had worked there) and the natural wonders of the area: Ruby Falls, Rock City, Lookout Mountain, etc. We only said thank you and then decided we'd wait 'til Betsy got there in the morning to decide what we wanted to see/do. There really were so many good choices and we really didn't care which ones we did. Our main goal was to hang out with Betsy.

Well, guess what we decided to do today after buying shoes. First thing was to go to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. And we weren't disappointed. For $14.95, you get to ride in a cool old train for 3 miles. The engine is a steam engine that is coal powered. The guys actually throw shovels full of coal into the big fire to make it all go. We went threw a tunnel that was built before the Civil War using "slave labor and black powder". We left from "Grand Junction" and rode to "East Chattanooga". At East Chattanooga we got to tour the restoration center that was built specifically for restoring old train engines and cars. It was really big and very interesting. AND we watched the engine turn around on the turntable. Cool. Then we rode the train back from East Chattanooga to Grand Junction. What fun.

As we were leaving, the train was waiting to load its next set of passengers. I pointed out a ramp that led up to the engine where it looked like you could see the engine up close and personal. Next thing I know, Betsy and Marty are up at the top of the ramp and as I fumble with my camera to get a picture, the engineer is opening the gate at the top of the ramp and they're getting on board! They motion for me to come up and I go a-running. Well, I just kind of walk quickly, but in my new tennis shoes it was quicker than it would've been.

Next thing I know, I'm stepping off the platform across a gap of air and into the engine. We had a great conversation with the 2 guys . . . the engineer and the fireman. It turns out that both of them are qualified for both jobs and they switch every trip. They were young guys and as nice as could be. They answered all our questions (and between the 3 of us, we had plenty) and they even opened the doors on the firebox and let us see all that burning coal. Wowser. It was sooooooooo awesome.

I know it's cliché, but I have to say it:
Train ticket: $14.95
Personal tour of the engine: priceless