Chattanooga Choo Choo
In 1924, Pearly Thomas Car Works of High Point, NC, built the Choo Choo's trolley. The reversible seats were constructed in Philadelphia, PA. The Trolley operated on the Canal Street Line in New Orleans from 1924 to 1960. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum obtained the Trolley and brought it to Chattanooga in 1964. After being restored in Georgia, the Trolley began operating from the opening day at the Chattanooga Choo Choo in 1973 and provides one of the most unique experiences on the property.
Occupying the Southern Railway terminal station erected in 1908, the Chattanooga Choo Choo is today a hotel and retail shopping complex featuring a number of stationary passenger and sleeper cars.
The site also features a former New Orleans streetcar and a large HO model railroad layout.
See also our complete Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel scrapbook in Preservation
Trolley
Chattanooga Choo Choo #953
Chattanooga, Tn / Aug 1986 / JCH
Chattanooga Choo Choo #953
retired from Canal Street line, 1964
to Tennessee Valley Rwy Museum, 1964
to Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1973
renumbered #953
Chattanooga, Tn / Aug 1986 / JCH
Chattanooga, Tn / Aug 1986 / JCH
Chattanooga, Tn / Aug 1986 / JCH
Chattanooga, Tn / Aug 1986 / JCH
See also our complete New Orleans streetcar system scrapbook in Streetcars
Given his roots in the city, and his love for all things streetcar (trolley) related, my father has always been on a quest to find, photograph, and ride all of the retired NOPSI New Orleans cars that are scattered around the country at various trolley museums. I remember well my father's glee when we caught up with #953 in the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex in 1986. Despite the yellow paint, she still sports the classic Pearly Thomas lines of the 900 series NOPSI cars that still ply the St. Charles and Riverfront lines in New Orleans. Nice to know #953 is still doing her thing, albeit several states away from her home rails.
Links / Sources
- Chattanooga Choo Choo website