Seeing Tennessee from a train is an altogether different experience.
Instead of seeing Tennessee fly by you at highway speed, you get to truly enjoy and notice the rivers and creeks, wooded hills and mountains, old railroad beds you pass and cross, rich farmland and mountainous valleys and small towns that comprise such a beautiful state from your vantage point.
But the train rides in Tennessee go way beyond what you might expect because the state really does offer a little something different for everyone.
You can ride through a Pre-Civil War tunnel that is still in operation in Chattanooga for an hour, devote an afternoon to the mountains of the Hiwassee River Gorge, climb Lookout Mountain on one of the steepest passenger railways in the world, drive for thrills behind a Steam locomotive at Dollywood or you can turn a day trip from Nashville into a full day-long outing to visit some of Tennessee’s smaller towns by train.
Some are best suited for families, while others are geared towards couples, enthusiasts, fall-color trips or just seeing Tennessee from a different angle.
Here are seven to know about.
(I check all information and schedules in September of 2026. Because train schedules, availability, equipment, etc. change, if there is a particular train or experience you want to enjoy, you should check ahead to make sure it will be available.)
Tennessee Train Rides at a Glance
| Train Experience | Location | Best For | Approx. Ride/Trip Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missionary Ridge Local | Chattanooga | Families & railroad history | About 65 minutes |
| Hiwassee Loop | Delano | Mountain scenery | About 4½ hours |
| Chattanooga Dinner Train | Chattanooga | Couples & special occasions | 2–3 hours |
| Lookout Mountain Incline Railway | Chattanooga | Views & a quick experience | About 10 minutes each way |
| Tennessee Central Railway Museum | Nashville | Full-day excursions | Varies, often 5–6 hours |
| Dollywood Express | Pigeon Forge | Families & steam-train fans | About 20 minutes |
| Three Rivers Rambler | Knoxville | Knoxville history & river scenery | Seasonal excursions |
1. Missionary Ridge Local, Chattanooga
It is best for families, riders new to traveling by train or if you prefer a shorter trip.
If you are not ready to dedicate the better part of your day to experiencing a historic Tennessee train ride, the Missionary Ridge Local is probably one of the easiest places to start.
Operated by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, this ride lasts about 65 minutes and travels aboard vintage passenger cars through an historic railroad corridor.
The real highlight is the Missionary Ridge Tunnel, which pre-dates the Civil War. There is also a running turntable demonstration and a museum restoration project. Prices start at around $26 per person.
While it may not offer my first choice for huge mountain vistas in Tennessee, it does boast a strength in the railroad experience itself.
You are rewarded with a manageable ride time, historic equipment, some serious railroad history and enough activity along the way to make the trip feel exciting.
That makes it one of the better choices on this list for much younger children, who also might not want to sit on a train for four to five hours.
What you need to know before you go:
- Ride time: About 65 minutes
- Departure area: Chattanooga
- Best for: Families and Railroad History
- Started at current: Around $26
- Come early: TVRM suggests arriving at least 30-45 minutes prior to departure.
If you have mobility issues the museum should be contacted before booking. TVRM notes that it is historic passenger equipment pre-dated today’s Americans with Disabilities Act and is not designed to accommodate wheelchair use in the same manner as modern forms of transport.
2. Hiwassee Loop, Delano
Best for: The most dramatic mountain scenery of all these places
However, if scenery is why you are train riding, the Hiwassee Loop can surely delight you!
Instead of traveling from TVRM’s main station in Chattanooga to experience scenic views, this particular excursion departs from outside of Chattanooga at a station in Delano.
The ride is about 50 miles round trip and lasts around 4½ hours through the Hiwassee River Gorge, which follows the river up through wooded mountains.
A special feature is the famous Hiwassee Loop near Farner.
The issue with trains is they are unable to ‘ simply’ climb a steep grade that a car can once the terrain suddenly starts to drastically increase.
What they did was build another unique spiral where the trains basically loop all the way around and actually climb on top of their own tracks.
Even if you could not care less about railroad engineering, it is an interesting part of the trip.
The second thing is this is also one of the train rides where I would pay attention to the season.
When riding it, note if the season provides autumn colors in the surrounding mountains or lush greens that drape the gorge in warmer spring and summer days.
The Hiwassee Loop TVRM lists for about $62 per person.
TVRM Prices – The Hiwassee Loop is about $62/per person
What to Know Before You Go
- Departure: Delano, Tennessee
- Ride time: approximately 4½ hours
- Distance: Total – approximately 50 miles
- Best for: People loving mountain scenery, fall color and fans of trains,
- Starting at: Around $62
- Good for kids? Yes, although parents need to contemplate on whether toddlers enjoy the several hours ride.
Or for an even grander outing, TVRM operates the Copperhill Special, a full day trip through the Hiwassee Gorge with time to explore the Copperhill, Tennessee/McCaysville, Georgia area before returning.
If you have only got an hour, go for Missionary Ridge.
However, if you are looking to make the whole day about the Train Ride, I would suggest considering Hiwassee more seriously.
3. Chattanooga Dinner Train, Chattanooga
Best for: date nights and special occasions
Sometimes the most scenic is not always the mountainous and one of my most memorable train rides to date has few ups and downs at all.
The Chattanooga Dinner Train also forms part of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum experience, but here the appeal is different to Hiwassee.
The excursion currently lasts 2-3 hours and offers a 3-course meal in restored vintage dining cars. At this time fares are about $110 per person.
Pick this one for the experience than searching for big big Tennessee vistas.
However, you are also combining your dinner with a ride on a vintage train; making it more geared towards something you would do for an anniversary, a date night, a birthday or a simple unique thing to do in Chattanooga.
Also, notice the distinction between the trains which may be referred to in older references about dining trains in Chattanooga. Different tours may arise and fall through and you should always check the existing RVMA schedule, as you do not want to refer to a tour or train ride now out of operation in a tour that would be given to your client.
Know before you go! :
- Location: Chattanooga
- Approximate Duration: 2-3 hours.
- Ideal for couples and special occasions.
- Current starting price: Approximately $110.
- Meal: Three courses for dinner Meal: Three courses for dinner
- Reservations: As seating is limited and it is advisable to book at the earliest available.
4. Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, Chattanooga
Best for: Big views without spending half a day on a train
Although it may not be a long-distance rail excursion, it would be almost a crime not to include the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway on a Tennessee train list.
Climbing Lookout Mountain between St. Elmo and the mountain top station, the current railway has been operating since 1895 and is one of the steepest passenger railways in the world with track grade at some points at 72.7%.
The trip itself is only about 10 minutes in each direction and cars typically depart every 20 minutes.
So do not picture this as an all-afternoon scenic railroad excursion.
It’s an attraction in Chattanooga which happens to ride on some fantastic railway engineering.
At the top, there is an observation area offering views of the Tennessee Valley and several battlefields from the Civil War are in the area. Rock City and Ruby Falls are also located on Lookout Mountain; however, the Incline does not go to these attractions.
At current prices a return for an adult is $24.99, while for a child aged 3-12 is $12.99; children 2 or under ride free with a paying passenger.
Know before you go
- It is about a 10 min ride each way.
- Great for: Families and Chattanooga views
- Adult: $24.99
- Children (Ages 3-12): $12.99
- Accessibility: The Incline allows manual and electric wheelchairs per its current accessibility policy.
- Booking advice: There is limited capacity and they suggest buying tickets in advance for popular dates.
This one, and if you are doing a Lookout Mountain day, you can get it in, easy.
5. Tennessee Central Railway Museum Excursions, Nashville
Best for: Visitors in Nashville who want to take an actual train for a day trip
However, it stands out from others on the list for not exactly being an attraction.
While most of the attractions on this list operate sightseeing loops that are the same every day, The Tennessee Central Railway Museum offers scheduled themed excursions from Nashville riding historic passenger equipment.
So, you also put as much time into choosing the trip as choosing the railroad.
The company has excursions in its 2026 schedule running in areas including a Wine Tasting trip to Watertown, fall foliage trains, seasonal trips and Santa Express rides, but its website also mentions more wine trips, murder-mystery trains, Easter trips and yard-sale trains in its (published now) 2027 schedule.
Many longer trips are five or six hours long with a destination stop in Watertown or Lebanon.
Such as the Wine Tasting excursion; it includes tastings onboard with a stop in Watertown for lunch and shopping afterward. It is meant for those 21 and older only.
That is why I am saying it is not simply a ‘scenic train ride.’
More like an old-style “rail trip out by the day.”
You meet in Nashville, spend part of a day on the antique railway equipment traveling across Middle Tennessee through some lovely farm land, visit another Tennessee community and return before too late in the evening.
On a premium ticket, you will sit in premium dome seating which is designed to give you a spectacular 360-degree view of the countryside around. Availability is limited for this option and the museum also says that these seats normally sell out quickly.
Before you go:
- Departure: Nashville
- Trip length: Trips range greatly, some destination trips can be as long as 5-6 hours
- Best for: locals, couples, themed trips and day trips in Nashville.
- Children: Many excursions are suitable for children, except adults only trains such as wine events.
- Food: The excursions have a traditional dining car which serves quick-service food and drinks.
Anyone with restricted mobility should contact the museum before buying tickets, as there are steps to board the historic cars. Wheelchair users or anyone requesting assistance for special needs are asked by Tennessee Central to speak to staff at the museum beforehand.
6. Dollywood Express, Pigeon Forge
Best at: Dollywood visitors
This may be the easiest train ride on this list to combine with an already planned Tennessee vacation at Dollywood Dollywood Express.
Located on the Dollywood Dollywood property in Pigeon Forge and using a genuine 110-ton steam locomotive, it is a roughly 20-minute, five-mile journey through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
It is not a sightseeing excursion like Hiwassee.
That is sort of its appeal.
A true steam locomotive for those who do not want to commit four or five hours of their vacation to a train trip.
And, since you’ re at Dollywood anyway, you can work these in among the park’ s rides, shows, food and other attractions.
I only wish I had known a few things before getting on it.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, though you are advised to arrive a minimum of 20 minutes before departure. Inclement weather, maintenance and other issues can also cause a disruption of services.
This is actually a steam train.
Do not forget Dollywood also mentions that riders on the train “can encounter residual particulate from the engine and recommends that you protect your eyes for the experience.”
This is something it may be prudent to know before you get on with your trip.
Know before you go! :
- Location: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge
- Ride Time: Approx. 20 min
- Distance: Roughly five miles
- Most loved for: Family Fun and Steam Engines
- arrive at least 20 minutes before departure time
- Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis
Mobile visitors should check out the Dollywood website for mobility information before going. Users of mobility scooters and ECVs may need to transfer to a Dollywood wheelchair or train bench as there is a limited number of wheelchair seats in their places.
7. Three Rivers Rambler, Knoxville
Highlights: Knoxville visitors, families exploring the Tennessee River and an emphasis on history
Knoxville also boasts its own heritage rail road, the Three Rivers Rambler.
The Rambler operates from a depot at University Commons near University of Tennessee, taking passengers on an 11-mile excursion through Knoxville.
It is an interesting route on the basis it links both scenery and Knoxville history.
The trail passes landmarks such as industrial areas, historic sites and farmland before reaching the French Broad and Holston rivers unite to form the Tennessee River at what is called the Three Rivers Trestle where they unite to form the Tennessee River.
It is nice to remember, too, that a scenic train ride does not have to be into the wilds.
Part of appeal here is seeing Knoxville in a way you’re not going to see it from a car.
The operation is seasonal, so check the calendar carefully if you are basing a trip round it.
For 2026 the scheduled are $60 Adults, $55 Seniors for those 55+, $40 Children 5-14, $20.00 for Children aged 2-4 accompanied by an Adult, with Infants free with an Adult ticket.
Know before you go:
- Location: Knoxville
- Approximately 11 miles Route:
- Perfect for: Families, Knoxville History and River Scenery
- **Adult fare:**$60 by 2026
- Ages 5-14: $^$40
- Operation: Seasonal
As this train rambles on, it rambles on even in that it accommodates handicapped, something which is generally difficult when 1925 passenger cars are used. Wheelchairs need to be no wider than 25 inches to fit inside enclosed cars although there is also an open-air car. Access to restrooms on the train are also limited, so this place prefers people with the need to attend handicap assistance should get in contact this station for information beforehand.
