Few People Realize How Much Railroad History Is Preserved In Johnson City, Tennessee
By Chris Dodge|Published April 10, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
Johnson City has always had a large railroad presence within and around the city limits. Did you know that the city was named after the depot in town which got its name from Henry Johnson — who then went on to become the first mayor? There are attractions throughout the town that represent its history with the old Iron Horse; places like The White Duck and Burg’r and Barrel have taken up residence in some historic train depots, while other places like Willow Springs Park have paid homage to our past by making a train-themed playground within the park. The city certainly has not forgotten its roots, and one of the best places to learn about this history is in a little railroad museum in Johnson City.
The George L. Carter Railroad Museum is hiding in plain sight within the walls of ETSU.
Among the sprawling campus there is a little building that looks very much like any normal college building but inside is a treasure trove of railroad history. Guests will be greeted with a railroad crossing sign which might seem a little out of place at first but it is the indication that you are in the right place.
Inside you will find the Marsh-Tweetsie Exhibit which is a grand 1,300-square-foot display of the Tweetsie railroad system.
This scale model intricately details the historic train that would travel through our rugged eastern Tennessee mountains into North Carolina. The model was made from existing tracks you can still find to this day in places like the Doe River Gorge, and historical documents including pictures of the trail.
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You can watch the train chug down the tracks throughout the display.
The train will traverse trusses, bridges, cross rivers, tunnel through mountains, and travel across rolling hills. It’s easy to get lost in the scenery and imagine what it would be like to ride this train through such a diverse landscape.
Old country stores, gas stations, and churches are all placed right where they originally were along the Tweetsie. The history of these tracks really comes alive when you follow along this model train. The conductors are volunteers that are happy to explain the history and ask any questions you have which also helps bring the whole thing to life.
Another room is filled with artifacts in a couple of display cases along the walls and the floor is taken up by massive model train displays.
These displays come in all kinds of shapes and sizes from other historical railroads to more modern cityscapes. Some of them even feature fun little "Easter eggs" like hidden dinosaur figures. The whole experience is great fun for kids and adults alike.
To further the fun for kiddos the last exhibit (or the first, depending on how you want to do it) is the little engineer's room.
This playroom is also filled with everything to do with trains. There are train toys to play with, a large train play house, and even a model train suspended from the ceiling circling the room on its track. This is an exciting place to take the little ones when you are done learning about the railroad history of east Tennessee.
This railroad museum in Johnson City, is certainly a unique attraction that is fun for the whole family. You are sure to walk away having learned something new and have a deeper appreciation for the railroad history we have in our state. Admission to the museum is free but they do accept donations. For more information about the museum please visit the ETSU’s website.
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