TVMRi reveals expansive layout in 2024 open houses!
The Tennessee Valley Model Railroaders, Inc. is excited to invite the public for a free open house event on February 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No reservations are necessary! These dates and more will be available throughout the year, allowing the public to explore this impressively immersive experience while learning about the railroad modeling hobby.

“This is good, clean fun!” TVMRi President Nick Giordano said, “People love to come in and see it- it’s exciting for adults and kids. Our long-term goal is to have an open house twice a month.”

The TVMRi is a non-profit model railroad group located on the lower level of vb the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s office building. Their main goal to promote their love of model
railroading to the public by showcasing an authentically scaled, scenically staged, 42×40 foot operationally modeled layout.
“The layout will continue to change and evolve,” Giordano said. “The thing about model railroads is that they are never finished; there are constantly details you can add and changes
you can make.”

The current layout partially simulates the Rathole 2nd Division of the CNO&TP (Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Texas Pacific), known for its steep grades, 27 tunnels, and numerous curves. Jerry
Holmes, Ed Juaire, and Jim Thurston designed the layout with input from members in 2017. The model railroad is HO scale and is a digital control operation that runs 1,110 feet of track covering
18 scale miles.
“Model Railroading is a great hobby involving woodworking, construction, electrical, electronics, painting, and arts and crafts. There are so many different things people can do in it, and it lets
them enjoy the hobby,” Giordano said.

Anyone who has seen a layout knows it isn’t all about the track. The meticulously built scenes are to scale, with various themes, locations, and goals in mind. The TVMRi layout’s buildings, cars, people, and general atmosphere are modeled from the early 50s through the mid-1970s, focusing from Danville, KY to Harriman junction, TN. The design includes several well-known
features of the real-world railroad route, featuring local architecture within those cities, including bridges, natural elements such as rivers, and various businesses known to the towns and era
represented.

The layout continuously improves and grows, and seeing everything in one visit is impossible. A challenging scavenger hunt is available to help attendees explore so they might appreciate the
fine details included in the model.

“We like the open houses because you can come in and just look and don’t have to join, but we have had quite a few people join because they come in and look and are like, wow!” said Giordano. “We’re always open to hobbyists, new or experienced. “

Tennessee Valley Model Railrodaders, Inc
4119 Cromwell Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421
TVMRi.org