#TennesseeValleyRailroadMuseum

May 23, 2026

Happening Today: Summerville Welcomes Return Of 4501 Steam Engine

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #DowntownSummerville, #HappeningToday, #HistoricSummervilleDepot, #LocalEvents, #May232026, #MayMarketAndMelodies, #northwestgeorgia, #Saturday, #SteamEngine4501, #SummervilleDepot, #summervillega, #TennesseeValleyRailroadMuseum, #trainexcursion, #wzqznews 0

Summerville will celebrate the return of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s 4501 steam engine to the Historic Summerville Depot today with May Market & Melodies.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Summerville Depot and will feature food vendors, craft vendors, live bluegrass, country and gospel music, and free admission.

The Summerville Turntable will also be in operation, turning the iconic 4501 steam engine for the first time in 2026. The locomotive is returning in classic Southern Railway green and gold passenger livery as TVRM celebrates its 65th anniversary and the engine’s 115th birthday.

Visitors can enjoy the market inside and outside the depot, with food options including jams and jellies, fried pies, corndogs, pizza, specialty breads, barbecue, homemade lemonade and more.

Suggested parking is in Downtown Summerville. Train excursion tickets are available through the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at www.tvrail.com.

May 21, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Steam Engine 4501 Returning To Historic Summerville Depot This Saturday

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #DowntownSummerville, #GeorgiaEvents, #HistoricSummervilleDepot, #MayMarketAndMelodies, #northwestgeorgia, #SouthernRailway, #SteamEngine4501, #summervillega, #SummervilleTurntable, #TennesseeValleyRailroadMuseum, #trainexcursion, #wzqznews 0

Summerville is home to one of only a few operating train turntables in the southeastern United States, and is truly a step back in time for train and history buffs alike. The City of Summerville is proud to announce the return of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Steam Engines to the Historic Summerville Depot on Saturday, May 23. The Summerville Turntable will work again, turning the iconic 4501 steam engine for the first time in 2026. A May Market & Melodies event, celebrating with live music and vendors, will be a highlight for the welcome back return of the steam engine with passengers.

May 19, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville Santa Special Tickets Now On Sale For 2026 Holiday Season

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #Christmas2026, #ChristmasInSummerville, #FamilyFun, #GeorgiaEvents, #HolidaySeason, #HolidayTrain, #northwestgeorgia, #SantaTrain, #summervillega, #SummervilleSantaSpecial, #TennesseeValleyRailroadMuseum, #wzqznews 0

The City of Summerville has announced that tickets are now available for the popular Summerville Santa Special train excursions for the 2026 holiday season.

The rides will take place aboard the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s holiday train and are scheduled for November 28-29, December 5-6, and December 11-12.

Organizers say the annual event offers families a festive Christmas experience in downtown Summerville, complete with holiday decorations, shopping, and special activities for children. Officials describe the event as having a “small-town Hallmark movie” atmosphere.

Tickets are priced at $24 for ages 2 and older, and organizers encourage residents to purchase early because the rides traditionally sell out.

Tickets can be purchased through the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum website.

May 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Happening Tomorrow: Summerville Main Street’s Ducky Derby Returns Saturday, May 9

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #DuckRace, #DuckyCallingContest, #DuckyDerby, #EastWashingtonStreet, #FamilyFun, #GPFederalCreditUnion, #JeepCruiseIn, #LocalEvents, #May92026, #northwestgeorgia, #ProRoofGA, #SaturdayEvent, #SouthernRailway, #SteamEngine4501, #SummervilleDepot, #summervillega, #summervillemainstreet, #SummervilleTurntable, #TennesseeValleyRailroadMuseum, #TownCreek, #TrainRide, #TVRM, #wzqznews 0

Summerville Main Street’s Ducky Derby is happening tomorrow, Saturday, May 9, outside the Summerville Depot.

May 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Ducky Derby Returns To Summerville May 9

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Summerville Main Street’s Ducky Derby will return Saturday, May 9, for a full day of family fun outside the Summerville Depot.

January 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Steam Into Summerville’s Star Locomotive, Southern 4501, Sparks Johnny Cash Memories During TVRM Visit This Past Weekend

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A visual timeline connects Johnny Cash’s 1974 television special Ridin’ the Rails with the present-day legacy of Southern Railway 4501. Top left, Cash performs beside the massive steam locomotive during filming of the ABC special. Top right, John Carter Cash visits the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum with family and TVRM staff, sitting aboard the same historic equipment nearly 50 years later. Bottom left, archival footage shows Cash riding in the cab of Southern 4501. Bottom right, the fully restored 1911 Baldwin-built locomotive draws crowds during a modern-day Steam into Summerville excursion, a signature event that most recently brought the engine to Summerville, Georgia, on November 11, 2025.

The same steam locomotive that regularly thunders into Summerville for TVRM’s popular Steam into Summerville railroad days — Southern Railway 4501 — is drawing attention again after a weekend visit this past Saturday in Chattanooga from John Carter Cash, son of Johnny and June Carter Cash. The historic engine, which most recently visited Summerville on November 11, 2025, remains one of the most recognizable operating steam locomotives in the country and continues to bring rail history to life for local riders and visiting railfans alike.