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Last update: April 24, 2009 |
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| Our Summer Season is Gearing Up |
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Our staff is getting ready for another summer of train rides in Knoxville, Tennessee. We start running every Saturday May 2 until August 8, 2009. Our departures are at 2pm & 5pm. We do not operate during the week.
As one of the closest train rides to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg we are expecting another busy summer season. In addition, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We are looking forward to our second Wine Train on May 22. Join us on Saturday May 9 before Mother's Day for a steam train ride. |
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| Hop Aboard the Easter Express |
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Join the Easter Bunny on April 11 and 12th for a 90 minute train ride. You will be able to take pictures with the Easter Bunny and enjoy spring time weather. This is our first year to have an Easter Bunny train so please make reservations as we expect it to sell out.
Departure times are at 2pm & 5pm both days. View Photos online |
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On Saturday, April 4 at 2pm the Three Rivers Rambler will host a special diesel excursion in support of a local charity, Kidz Team. The event is to raise awareness and funds for Kidz Team who supports families that spend extended time at Children's Hospital.
The Rambler first met the Kidz Team when one of the founder's son and family rode the Rambler every year as a celebration during their time at Children's Hospital. Please join us and consider donating funds and time to this great Team! Visit www.KidzTeam.org for reservations. |
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On Saturday, May 2 our regular summer excursions began with departures every Saturday until August. Departures will be on Saturday at 2pm and 5pm only. We are not running excursions during the week. We will be operating with a new diesel engine this summer, our former locomotive has been put into regular freight service. It will be Chattanooga Traction Company #1002. It was operated in Chattanooga originally as #4 for CTC but was renumbered to #1002 after Southern Railway purchased the unit. CTC #1002 is an EMD SW1 switcher with 600hp. Photos coming soon. |
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| December 2008 |
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| Photos on Railpictures.net |
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| WBIR story on the Christmas Express |
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Christmas Express News & updates: |
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| Coming from out of town to ride the train? Stay downtown and play! |
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Stay at the Hampton Inn & Suite Downtown Knoxville to enjoy a special room rate & train ride ticket package. You will be walking distance to the train, outdoor ice skating rink, and downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment. Make reservations online or contact the hotel directly by calling 865-522-5400.
All 2008 Christmas Express trains are SOLD OUT |
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| Photos of the Rambler |
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http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=258605&nseq=0 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=258603&nseq=1 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=258602&nseq=2
http://thefireman.rrpicturearchives.net/archivethumbs.aspx?id=37301 |
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| Pumpkin Express Trains |
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A Special Moment in Knoxville News Sentinel: http://web.knoxnews.com/special/moment/
Turn on your speakers to hear the audio! |
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Photos from Saturday October 11
by Chris Starnes |
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| Three Rivers Rambler Announces Plans to Restore Engine #154
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| During a press conference on Friday, August 22 Three Rivers Rambler owner Pete Claussen, City of Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, and President of the Old Smoky Railway Museum Jim Tolliver announced plans to restore the ex-Southern Railway steam engine #154 that has been on display for 55 years in Chilhowee Park, Knoxville TN. Join our email newsletter to receive updates about the restoration process and view photos during the 2+ year project. Below are a few scenes from Thursday when the engine was loaded onto a truck to move it to Knoxville Locomotive Works. |
Media Coverage:
Knoxville News Sentinel
City of Knoxville
WBIR- TV
Time Lapse Video |
Thursday Afternoon
  
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Friday Afternoon
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| Summer Season Comes to an End |
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Our excursion train is now closed until September 26 for the Wine & Cheese Train.
After a few weeks rest, our crew will begin our third season of shuttle trains for the University of Tennessee home football games. We take passengers from a parking lot on the edge of campus to the corner of Lake Loudon and Neyland Drive.
Also our crew has completed the water tower for our steam engine, Lindy (#203). It will be used to refill her water tanks inbetween runs in only a few minutes. It is located near the engine shed next to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. |
New Water Tower for the Steam Engine
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| Knoxmoms.com Train Sold Out |
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The Knoxmoms have organized another train ride for the summer with special pricing for Knoxmom members and non-members. It is free to join the club which provides information to Knoxville area families. Visit their website, pick up a copy of the magazine, and make reservations for the 90 minute train ride- Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 10am. This train is SOLD OUT. Please join us for a future Saturday afternoon train at 2pm and 5pm until August 9th.
Online Video: 2007 Knoxmom Ride |
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| Pumpkin Express Dates |
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An error was found in the brochure for 2008. The correct dates for the Pumpkin Express are October 5, 11, 12, 19, and 26. We are sorry for any confusion this might have caused.
Also we have made October 11 & 12 a Steam Weekend during the Pumpkin Express trains. Join us for a weekend of steam, fall foliage and pumpkins. |
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| Online Photos |
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| Enjoy some great photos of the Three Rivers Rambler at Railpictures.net. |
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| Frontpage News |
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The Knoxville News Sentinel had a front page article with photos in the News Sentinel Saturday June 21 to announce her 83rd birthday celebration. There is information about Lindy, Pete Claussen, and Jeff Parrott.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/jun/21/steam-driven-jubilee/ |
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Happy Birthday Lindy! |
6-19-08 |
Saturday June 21 at 2pm & 5pm
Join us for cupcakes, recieve a commemorative postcard, and enjoy a steam engine ride as we celebrate Lindy's 83rd Birthday!
Lindy is our 1925 steam engine. Read all about her in the Saturday edition of the Knoxville News Sentinel |
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| Special Guest- Tere Stouffer |
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| On Saturday, May 31 come enjoy a special wizardry filled train ride at 5pm with author Tere Stouffer who wrote "Complete Idiot's Guide: The World of Harry Potter."
Ms. Stouffer will be reading from the book, answering questions, and signing copies. Come dressed as your favorite HP character and enjoy a 90 minute ride aboard the Rambler.
Make online reservations today! Cost: Adult:$19 Senior (55+):$17 Child (3-12):$11
Book Excerpt 1
Book Excerpt 2
Table of Conents
Photo Credit: Lori Anderson, Simply Southern Photography
Note: This event was not authorized, prepared, approved, licensed, or endorsed by J. K. Rowling, Scholastic, Warner Bros., or any other individual or entity associated with the Harry Potter books or movies. |
 
Stouffer
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| Special Steam Charity Ride |
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On Saturday, April 26 at 10am the Three Rivers Rambler will host a special steam excursion in support of a local charity, Kidz Team. The day will include a morning train ride to kick off our summer season followed by activities on Volunteer Landing (food and activities are not included in ticket price.) The event is to raise awareness and funds for Kidz Team who supports families that spend extended time at Children's Hospital.
The Rambler first met the Kidz Team when one of the founder's son and family rode the Rambler every year as a celebration during their time at Children's Hospital. Please join us and consider donating money and time to this great Team! Visit www.KidzTeam.org |
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| Another East Tennessee Train Ride Opens |
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| The New River Scenic Railway is planning to open in April 2008. We welcome them to the neighborhood and wish them much success. Find out more at www.newriverrailway.com |
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| Winter Repairs: A Dirty Job II |
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Here is a photo of Jeff Parrott after completing a boiler wash (an all day task) in preparation for the yearly FRA inspection. |
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| Winter Repairs: A Dirty Job |
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Here is a summary of the repairs being done to Lindy this winter, provided by Jeff Parrott:
1. Make repairs to firebrick (an annual repair)
2. Electrical repairs (just maintenance items)
3. In the firebox, two stays and one rivet that I would like to repair due to the fact the heads are becoming deteriorated. They are not broken or leaking yet, this is more of a preventative measure.
4. Water glass gaskets
5. Blowdown kits (blowdowns aren't leaking but I would like to have a spare set of valves for next year. If we have one start to give us a problem during the season we would have a spare.)
6. Copper for new lube lines for the air pumps.
7. Clear coat the paint to freshen it up.
8. Needle scale inside of tender and re-seal
9. Lap throttle
10. Make new piston rod packing
11. Re-pack valve rods.
12. Calibrate all gauges.
13. Install new petticoat with adjustment to fine tune draft
14. Fabricate new front steps that have hit ties along right of way and gotten bent.
15. Install oil burning door. We just ran out of time last winter. |
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| New Rambler Videos |
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Bahn TV (German television)- The Rambler clips are about 40 minutes into the video.
Rail Videos.net - This is from the Christmas Express trains in 2007 |
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| Closed for 2007 |
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| There are no more scheduled departures until 2008. Join our email newsletter to receive our 2008 schedule when it is available. |
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| Christmas Express |
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Our first three day weekend of train rides was a busy and exciting time. We served thousands of cookies, offer gallons and gallons of hot coco, and read a great Christmas story.
A guest had a few photos taken during their trip and wanted to share them. |
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| New Ticket Policy as of November 1, 2007: |
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COUPONS:
Coupons cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or certificates.
MISSED RESERVATIONS:
There are no refunds or exchanges for missed reservations. If you make a change to reservations prior to departure, there is a $2 per ticket fee charged. Changes must be made prior to 5pm on the preceding Friday.
EXCHANGE & GIFT CERTIFICATES:
Exchange tickets will not be honored for special event trains. Exchange and gift certificates will not be honored after they have expired.
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| Pumpkin Express |
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Engine update for October: We will be running diesel #9 during our October trains this year to allow proper repair and maintenance time for #203 to run the Christmas Trains. |
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| Today Show |
Sept 27 , 2007 |
The Today Show on NBC today mentioned the Three Rivers Rambler train ride as a place to view fall foliage in East Tennessee. Watch the segment online.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20997833/ |
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| TravelHost Hour Radio Show |
Sept 13 , 2007 |
| You can listen to the TravelHost Hour every Sunday at their NEW TIME: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. from all over the Greater Knoxville area on the Horne Radio Network. AM 850 (WKVL); AM 1140 (WLOD-Loudon County); AM 1290 (WATO-Anderson County; AM 1400 (WGAP-Blount & Sevier Counties)
Listen and join the discussion on what to do in the Greater Knoxville area
Live & Local - Call: (865) 675-8255 or toll free 877-958-5850
*They usually have free tickets for listeners who call in and answer a simple trivia question* |
Pick up a copy of the free magazine around town.
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| 1st Annual Railfan Day August 26 - A Huge Success |
August 26, 2007 |
We had a busy weekend at the Rambler with Railfan day and a night photo shoot. A big thanks goes out to our crew and volunteers for making the event run so smoothly. Below are some photos taken Saturday night. I will post additional photos as I receive them.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=199086
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=199114
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=199113
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=199180
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=199183
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=199139
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=199163
Enjoy! If you would like us to share you photos on this website, please send them or a link to info@threeriversrambler.com Thanks!
Here is a timeline which is subject to change: We will depart Volunteer Landing at 10am for the rare mileage trip. We expect to return to Volunteer Landing by noon to have lunch on board the train. Our afternoon trip along the regular route will take approx. 2 hours. The train rides should end around 3:00pm. We will then provide directions to get to our locomotive shop for an open house for those who have time to visit.
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| 1st Annual Circus Express July 21-22 |
July 21, 2007 |
Clowns, face painting, balloon animals, and colorful decorations will fill the train during the 1st Annual Circus Express. Passengers will be "clowning" around by the time it returns to the station. On July 21 and 22, the Three Rivers Rambler excursion train will be transformed into the Circus Express. Departures are at 2pm & 5pm with tickets costing $22 for adults and $12 for children. Reservations are not required but encouraged. The trip will take the normal 90 minute 11 mile route along the Tennessee River.
During the circus express, the conductor and volunteers will decorate the passenger cars with animals and balloons creating a special circus theme. The train consists of a fully restored 1925 steam locomotive, two coach cars, a merchandise car, an open air car, and a red caboose. The caboose is a favorite for birthday parties and family reunions.
Everyone on board will receive a special clown gift to remember the fun! |
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| Suggested Photo Locations |
July 12, 2007 |
| We have created a map of locations along the Rambler's route to showcase a few photo locations. Please use this map as a informational tool only and not permission to trespass on private or railroad property. If you have a good picture or two, send them our way and we may post them on this blog. |
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| Knoxmoms.com Train a Fun Time! |
August 1, 2007 |
We had a great turn out for the Knoxmoms train ride today. Watch a video about the ride at Knoxnews.com. We are looking to host another event in the future.
Check out KnoxMoms.com for information about a very special train ride only for registered users of KnoxMoms.com. Check out August 1st on their event calendar. The word from Knoxmoms.com is this ride is already SOLD OUT! |
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Thomas & Friends LIVE! On Stage
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June 26, 2007 |
Join Thomas & Friends in a live performance at the Tennessee Theatre on Tuesday, July 24 at 4pm & 7pm.
SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase tickets for Thomas and Friends Live! on Stage and the Three Rivers Rambler train ride together as a package for a discounted price!
To purchase, contact Hope Biber at the Tennessee Theatre Box office at 865-684-1143 or email hbiber@tennesseetheatre.com. You cannot purchase this special offer online.
Register to win tickets or walk on role with KnoxMoms.com |
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| What is KXHR? |
October 4, 2006 |
| We have many passengers ask what KXHR means on the side of our equipment. KXHR is the Knoxville & Holston River Railroad, which is the local railroad company that operates the freight service Monday-Friday on the same tracks we run the excursion train. Every piece of railroad equipment, or rolling stock, has tracking numbers and letters like these painted on the side. It allows railroad crews to identify which car goes to which customer. |
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| Dauntless |
Dauntless was the original open air car before Forthright. This summer we gave her a fresh new look. She will be used along with the two coach cars on the Big Orange Express shuttle train. Passengers will be shuttled back and forth before and after home football games in Knoxville. Dauntless is pictured in front of a Norfolk Southern slug at Knoxville Locomotive Works.
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| Big Orange Express |
| During September, we operated a shuttle train, the Big Orange Express, for the University of Tennessee football games. We pickup passengers off campus and take them on a short train ride to the stadium. This year was the first year and so far it has been a huge success. The shuttle is free to the general public. It picks up behind the KUB plant off Neyland Drive at the soccer fields and drops off at the corner of Lake Loudon Blvd and Neyland Drive. |
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| Nesting Osprey |
April 24, 2006 |
| Last weekend was our first general public train ride for 2006. We had wonderful crowds on board and were pleased to see that the osprey nest is still being used on the trestle. Every time we pull onto the bridge, the birds circle around until we pull away. They are magnificent to watch. (Photos below were sent to us from Chuck E.) |
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| Volunteer Landing Combo Pass |
April 19, 2005 |
| Over the past few months, we have been working with the Riverboat and Basketball Hall of Fame to coordinate one ticket that grants access to all three attractions along Volunteer Landing. At the official announcement last week are (from left to right) Mike & Tammy from the Riverboat, Mike from the Three Rivers Rambler, and Helen & Kim from the Hall of Fame. Read more about the Combo Pass at www.VisitVolunteerLanding.com |
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| First Train Ride of 2006 |
April 19, 2006 |
| The first train ride of 2006 took place a few weekends ago. It was a great success and we enjoyed all our invited guests and volunteers who rode along. The engine looked and performed great! The merchandise car was stocked with new items and freshly painted shelves. Our conductor, Mr. Perry, has even built a model train table for everyone to enjoy. |
Photo by Larry S. taken from the Tennessee Riverboat
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| Steam Engine Work |
April 3, 2006 1:30 pm |
I received an email from the engine crew working on Lindy. They are working day and night getting her ready for the summer season. The work is being done at the Knoxville Locomotive Works building, which also does diesel engine work for Knoxville & Holston River Railroad and other Gulf & Ohio Railway properties. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful facility to perform the necessary repairs on the steam engine and passenger cars.
The third picture is a close up of the second picture. The boiler welder has to crawl through the small hole every time to get inside and perform the work needed. It's quite a squeeze! |
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| Lindy House Progress |
Mar 20, 2006 3:42 pm |
| Below are some photos of the new home for our steam engine. It is located next to Riverside Tavern along the Tennessee River. When the engine is not in operation, it will be stored in the building to protect it from the elements. With electricity and water, the engine crew will be able to perform minor repairs on the waterfront. The next step is laying a switch and running track into the building and putting up the walls. Stay tuned for more photos as it progresses. |
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"I've Been Working on the Railroad..." |
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Brent Norvell watches with a careful eye while running the engine. Thanks to Chris S. for the photos. |
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Pictures from the 1st Annual Pumpkin Express |
| (Left) Our open air pumpkin patch car where everyone got to take home a pumpkin. (Middle) Our oldest volunteer, Tiny, made a special appearance to welcome passengers aboard. (Right) Engine #203 prepares to couple up to the train under Henley Street bridge. (Below left) Volunteers assist a customer in the spooky merchandise car. (Bottom right) "Lindy" blows some steam as the train is leaving the station. |
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ALL ABOARD ! |
(Below left) The Rambler reaches the Trestle on a beautiful October day.
(Below right) Moving on down the line, the Rambler approaches Asbury Road and Marbledale.
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