Tennessee tourist railroads you must visit include restored depots to the home of the most famous engineer and everything in between. Here’s our list of must-see tourist railroads, museums, and displays — for almost every region in Tennessee.
Amqui Station & Visitor Center
A former Louisville & Nashville Railroad combination depot and tower once owned by singer Johnny Cash is now restored, serving as a historic museum and a part of the Madison Visitors Center. This unique structure contains railroad memorabilia and exhibits related to country music. Museum tours are available by request only.
Location: 303 Madison Station Boulevard, Madison
Phone: 615-891-1154
Website: amquistation.org
E-mail: execdirector@amquistation.org
Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum
At Casey Jones Village, you can learn about the life and legend of this famous engineer by touring his family home and a replica of No. 382, Casey’s engine. The museum contains related displays and artifacts as well as those of Jackson’s railroad history. It is open daily.
Location: 30 Casey Jones Lane, Jackson
Phone: 731-668-1222
Website: caseyjones.com/museum/
E-mail: Form on website
Cookeville Depot Museum
The railroad museum is housed in a 1909 Tennessee Central Railway depot and contains changing displays of railway artifacts and photos highlighting local railroad history. A Tennessee Central locomotive, tender, and caboose are on static display outdoors. It is open year-round Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: 116 West Broad Street, Cookeville
Phone: 931-528-8570
Website: cookevilledepot.com
E-mail: depot@cookeville-tn.gov
Cowan Railroad Museum
Featured in this century-old depot are displays, photographs, and artifacts relating to Cowan and the railroads around the city. Led by a 1920 Porter locomotive, a complete train is displayed next to the museum. Also on display are a GE diesel switcher and several motor cars. It is open Thursday through Sunday, May through October.
Location: 108 Front Street, Cowan
Phone: 931-967-3078
Website: cowanrailroadmuseum.org
E-mail: president@cowanrailroadmuseum.org
Little River Railroad Museum
The museum holds a number of tools, artifacts, and photographs dedicated to the Little River Railroad and the lumber company it served. It displays a restored 1909 Shay locomotive, several pieces of rolling stock, logging equipment, and a water tower. The museum is open May through October, Monday to Saturday, and weekends only in April and November. In December and March, the museum is closed.
Location: 7747 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend
Phone: 865-661-0170
Website: littleriverrailroad.org
E-mail: littleriverrailroadmuseum@gmail.com
Monterey Depot Museum
The museum, a replica of the town’s earlier Tennessee Central depot, preserves transportation-related items, which include artifacts from the Tennessee Central and other railroads that operated in the area, and features other exhibits. The museum is open daily.
Location: 101 East Depot Street, Monterey
Phone: 931-839-2111
Website: exploremontereytn.com
E-mail: depotadm@montereydepot.net
