Rail fans will have a rare opportunity today as a historic steam locomotive arrives in downtown Summerville as part of the 2026 National Model Railroad Association Convention, being held this week in Chattanooga.

The convention is being hosted in Chattanooga for the first time in the organization’s 90-year history and has attracted more than 1,000 registered model railroad enthusiasts from around the world. The accompanying National Train Show is expected to draw more than 15,000 visitors, making it one of the largest railroad events in the country.

One of the convention’s signature events is today’s ScaleTrains Summerville Steam Special, operated by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. The excursion features the museum’s legendary Southern Railway No. 4501 steam locomotive, freshly painted in its classic green passenger colors to commemorate 60 years of excursion service. The locomotive will pull a 10-car passenger train on a 100-mile round trip between Chattanooga and Summerville.

The train is scheduled to arrive at the Summerville Depot between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m. About 450 passengers are expected to visit the community, where they’ll enjoy a catered barbecue lunch in Dowdy Park and watch No. 4501 turn on the historic Summerville Railroad Turntable before departing around 2:45 p.m. Special permission was granted by the Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway to allow the weekday excursion, something organizers say is likely a one-time event.

Motorists should expect temporary traffic delays while the train is in town. The railroad crossings at East Washington Street and East First Avenue will be closed during the visit, and drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes.

For railroad enthusiasts, today’s visit offers a rare chance to see one of America’s most famous operating steam locomotives in Summerville and to welcome visitors from across the United States and around the world to Chattooga County.