I am currently modeling the Chattanooga Terminal Station (Choo Choo)and I am having a very difficult time locating information on the structure (Plans) so to replicate it in a model. Does anyone have any information on where I might get a copy of the plans? I have tried the Choo Choo itself, but to little avail. My wife (I love this woman) has found the man in NM who built the only model of it for the Choo Choo's model railroad museum. Anyone who knows where I can get a copy of the original plans or at least, where they are available to view and photograph, would be greatly appreciated. Thanx.

-- Ian C. Lewis (ilewis@herc.com), January 07, 2000

Answers

Ian--I am surprised the Choo Choo said they did not have plans--they must have had them redone when they rennovated it into a hotel. At any rate, why not visit Chattanooga and take lots of photos and measurements. It is a nice tourist destination although the hotel isn't in the best section of town. You might also try any local historical societies and libraries, and the city may have plans in their archives on file from when it was built. The NMRA national offices are in Chatt along with their library so check with them. Good luck with the project.

-- Larry Puckett (ljpuckett@msn.com), March 18, 2000.

The chattanooga terminal station's plans MIGHT be at the County planning and zoning office or you can try the Norfolk Southern Railway and ask for the 1909 plans of the Chattanooga Terminal Station but my best guess is the city of Chattanooga, TN.

hope this helps :)

-- Jason Trew (JT2018@aol.com), December 19, 2000.

For those who are looking for historical information on Chattanooga railroad lines and structures my have the best possibility of success at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library. They have by far the best collection of information on Chattanooga's railroads. Their collection that is available to the public ranges from a comprehensive collection of newspaper clippings going back over 100 years to rare books (ie. Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway- Legal History of the Entire System). If you are looking for information on local railroad history, the library cannot be beat- even by NMRA. However, not all of the library's collection is accessible to the general public. This is due to restrictions placed on use of certain items, so they might have the material or information you want but be unable to allow access to it.

-- Alan Walker (awalker2002@comcast.net), November 27, 2003.

The Choo Choo is currently operated by Holiday Inn. They have a so- so map of its layout on their website. They have limited information on the measurements of the structure.

A satellite image may give additional information.

-- Jim Dempsey (jimdempsey2000@yahoo.com), December 28, 2003.