Scenic Railroads in Tennessee
Routes, seasons, tickets, and trip tips — everything in one place.
Tennessee has 6 operating scenic and heritage railroads, spread across some of the state's most photogenic terrain. Ride types include funicular/incline, heritage trolley/streetcar, and diesel, so you can tailor the experience to your interests whether you prefer a genteel parlor-car excursion, an open-air mountain climb, or an afternoon of pure steam nostalgia. Ride lengths run from 30 min to 6.3 hrs.
The standout ride in Tennessee is the Tennessee Central Railway Museum, based in Nashville. A diesel excursion, it takes passengers vintage 1950s trains run east from Nashville through Middle Tennessee to towns like Watertown, Lebanon, Cookeville and Monterey. The journey lasts approximately 6.3 hours. It operates Year-round (most Saturdays). Tickets are $80 coach (varies by trip).
The majority of Tennessee's excursion railroads run year-round, so there is no single "best" month — though shoulder seasons offer the most balanced combination of good weather, full schedules, and manageable crowds. Spring weekends tend to be particularly pleasant, with fresh greenery and lighter crowds than summer.
All 6 Scenic Railroads in Tennessee
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🚂Lookout Mountain Incline Railway›
A steep funicular climbs Lookout Mountain past panoramic views, billed as one of the world's steepest passenger inclines.
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🚂MATA Trolley›
Restored vintage streetcars run along the Main Street line through downtown Memphis past Beale Street and the Civil Rights Museum.
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🚂Southern Appalachia Railway Museum›
Museum collecting antique locomotives and rolling stock; its Secret City Scenic excursion ran from the Oak Ridge K-25 area toward Blair.
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🚂Tennessee Central Railway Museum›
Vintage 1950s trains run east from Nashville through Middle Tennessee to towns like Watertown, Lebanon, Cookeville and Monterey.
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🚂Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum›
The Missionary Ridge Local runs a short narrated trip past historic bridges, a pre-Civil War tunnel and a working turntable in Chattanooga.
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🚂Three Rivers Rambler›
Trains travel from downtown Knoxville past historic sites to the trestle where the French Broad and Holston rivers form the Tennessee River.
Compare Tennessee Scenic Railroads
Scroll right on mobile. Click any railroad name for the full route details.
| Railroad | Location | Train type | Typical duration | Price range | Reservations | Dog-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lookout Mountain Incline Railway | Chattanooga | Funicular/incline | 1 hour | $17.60 adult round trip | Not required | No |
| MATA Trolley | Memphis | Heritage trolley/streetcar | 30 minutes | $1 each way (day pass $3.50) | Not required | No |
| Southern Appalachia Railway Museum | Oak Ridge | Diesel | 1 hour | — | See website | — |
| Tennessee Central Railway Museum | Nashville | Diesel | 6.3 hours | $80 coach (varies by trip) | Required | No |
| Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum | Chattanooga | Steam & diesel | 1.1 hours | From $26 adult (Missionary Ridge Local) | See website | No |
| Three Rivers Rambler | Knoxville | Steam & diesel | 2 hours | $60 | See website | No |