Hours:
Thurs - Sat, 10 am - 4 pm
Sundays, 1 - 4 pm
May through October

Other times by
appointment
Leave Message at
931-967-3078

Location:
108 Front Street
P.O. Box 53
Cowan, TN 37318-0053

Cowan Railroad Museum
On the Internet:

Mark's Train-a-Day

Live CSX Feed

Additions & Improvements

2013: Installed ATCS to transmit live radio feed from CSX.

Caboose was correctly lettered for NC&StL, and after extensive research the proper car number was added.

2012 added an NC&StL Boxcar.

2011 is busy with final green & yellow paint being applied to the depot.  The old "bandstand" across the tracks was converted to a "Train Watching Platform", and paint scheme updated to match the depot.

Caboose wood siding has been replaced (with period correct poplar) and the bay windows are being refinished. While the sides are nearly complete, the front ends may need to wait until next year before they are renovated.

2008-2010 saw stabilization of the 1904 depot exterior:  wood being replaced, caulking applied and a coat of tinted primer.

June 8, 2007:  The latest addition to the Cowan Railroad Museum is a full sized General Electric (GE 44 ton) Diesel switch engine, formerly owned by the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway.

This engine is the first of four owned by the RR, and will be restored to its former as-new appearance of Oxblood Maroon with tasteful yellow striping accents and will carry its original NC&StL number, 100.

It is rated at 400 HP and capable of moving twenty loaded cars on level track. The 44 ton rating was a design feature that allowed by Union agreement the engine to be operated by one crewmember, the agreement being that locomotives 45 tons or more required two persons. In running condition, this is an ideal and attractive Museum locomotive with high availability.

Number 100 is also important because it was the first-ever engine in the USA (1962) to be able to be run by radio control in performance of its duties. Its normal manual controls have been restored.

It is hoped to eventually have enough track laid as an extension of the existing track to provide a little demonstration and to expand the future options for the Museum.