Summerville Celebrates The Return of Steam Engines

Summerville Celebrates The Return of Steam Engines To The Summerville Depot On May 3 With May Market & Melodies

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 3. The Summerville Turntable will work again for the first time in 2025. A May Market & Melodies event, celebrating with live music and vendors, will be a highlight for the welcome back return of the steam engine and passengers.

The May Market & Melodies event will be held at The Summerville Depot during the hours of 10:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. It will feature a variety of food and craft vendors inside and outside of the depot. A few delights to temp your taste buds include fresh jams and jellies, fried pies, homemade ice cream, fresh baked specialty breads, bar-b-que, homemade lemonade and more. Dukes of Hazzard and car fans will enjoy a photo opportunity with the General Lee. Live bluegrass, country and gospel music will be performed inside the depot freight room throughout the day. Admission is free and suggested parking is in Downtown Summerville.

The City of Summerville and Summerville Main Street is also gearing up for more May and June events, which include a May 9 Friday Night Live Concert featuring the Kevin Allen Band and a June 13 Friday Night Live, featuring Strictly Skynard, both at the East Washington Street Open Air Pavilion. The annual Ducky Derby at the Summerville Depot will be held on May 17, and a double header steam engine arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Passenger Train combined with a Cowboy Western Heritage Festival is scheduled for June 7. The popular A Taste of The South Festival is scheduled for June 21, followed by a June 28 train arrival and Dairy Day at The Depot. Each weekend in June there is something to do in downtown Summerville.

Booking Train Excursions
Tickets for train excursions are purchased through the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at www.tvrail.com . These vintage train rides follow a historic route from Grand Junction Station in Chattanooga to the Historic Summerville Depot. Summerville welcomes the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and its passengers by opening the historic depot to the public and with activities, entertainment, and events planned for each train arrival. Each event hosted is unique to itself.