There are so many S-related functions that are fun at NASG conventions, and
these have been mentioned. Let me list some other attractions specific to
the upcoming convention in Chattanooga.
-
CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO, former Southern station with motel rooms within
railroad cars in the yard, huge Ho gauge model layout.
-
CHATTANOOGA, A GREAT TOURIST DESTINATION. This is a city that has
transformed itself from a dirty industrialized city to one with great tourist
attractions. In addition to Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain and the Incline
Railway, the city itself has lots of artsy events, nice restaurants, two
world-class aqariums, including the largest fresh-water aqarium in the world,
dinner cruises on a beautiful river, IMAX Theatre, and lots of other
attractions, and I have listed these just off the top of my head.
-
TENNESSEE VALLEY RAILROAD AND MUSUEM. This is an actual switching
railroad and tourist railroad with 3 miles of its own track that go through a
tunnel under Missionary Ridge. Trains are turned on a wye at the main
station and riders get to see the locomotive turned on a turntable at the
other
end. The shops always have restorations taking place, both steam and diesel
and passenger cars. The famous 4501 is currently being restored and may
or may not be finished by convention time. I read that an excursion from
the museum into north Georgia is planned just for our convention-goers.
Whether steam is available is somewhat dependent on what Norfolk Southern's
renewed steam excursion program has scheduled. Steam locomotive 630 has been
put back into service earlier this year. There is a heavyweight dining car
and observation car normally on the excursions.
-
HIWASSEE LOOP TRAIN EXCURSION - Trains are boarded about an hour's drive
away from Chattanooga. Its extremely scenic and includes a ride over the
famous loop built by the L&N. Usually this train is pulled by a former
NC&StL GP7 that has been restored in its original paint scheme. One of the
coaches usually in this train is an ex-L&N coach restored to its original
scheme on The Hummingbird.
-
NMRA HEADQUARTERS - I have never visited it but it is located next to
the TVRM main station. I think there are plans to move this to the
California State Railroad Museum sometime in the future. Maybe someone else
can
tell us more about this.
-
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK - This may be the perfect time to
visit our nation's most visited National Park. Attendance has been way down
due to the economy which should make driving easier. Gatlinburg and Pigeon
Forge are terribly commercialized and I do not encourage long stays there.
But the drive from Gatlinburg to Newfound Gap on the Tennessee-North
Carolina border is one of the most breath-taking drives in North America. And
you can drive 7 miles further to Clingman's Dome, highest point in the
park. The 3/4 mile trail to the observation tower is an easy walk. Visiting
the park is only a short detour for those of you driving from the East. And
its only about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Chattanooga to the park entrance in
Gatlinburg. A leisurely drive through Cades Cove is another favorite
destination in the park and is easily reached by taking the park entrance from
Maryville, TN. The North Carolina side of the park is less commercialized
and is the location of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
-
GRANDE OLE OPRY - No this is not in Chattanooga. But for those driving
to the convention through Memphis, St. Louis, or Louisville, its a short
hop off of Interstate 40 or 65 in Nashville. Order your tickets early for
the Friday night or Saturday night shows.
-
OTHER RAILROAD ATTRACTIONS: Excursions on several Saturdays during the
summer on the Tennessee Central Museum trains from Nashville headed east;
Casey Jones Museum in Jackson, TN, just off I-40 between Memphis and
Nashville; NC&StL 4-8-4 on static display in beautiful Centennial Park in
Nashville
(tour the full size replica of The Parthenon while in the park); Cowan
Railroad Museum at the base of the Cumberland Mtn tunnel on former NC&StL
mainline (still a busy CSX line) about an hour's drive east of
Chattanooga;.Southern Appalachia Railroad Museum with its Secret City train
excursions and
lots of restored locos and pass cars, near Oak Ridge. Incidentally there
are two restored steam locomotive that operate an several Saturdays during
the year in Knoxville, TN. Also for those of you traveling through Atlanta,
there is the Southeastern Railroad Museum, and the Southern Museum of Civil
War & Locomotive History in nearby Kennesaw where the civil war locomotive
"The General" is preserved. I am sure I have missed some sites in the
area.
-
WHITE WATER RAFTING - There is great rafting several places including
the Ocoee River not far from Chattanooga.
-
- Earl Henry, Nashville
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