Three Rivers Rambler
A Trip Down Memory River

My wife and I and some out of town friends recently took a ride on the Three Rivers Rambler, the excursion train that runs from Downtown Knoxville at Volunteer Landing to Forks in the River and back.

We live in South Knoxville, where we're able to hear the old-time lonesome whistle of Lindy as she pulls the Three Rivers Rambler every weekend. So when our friends decided to visit from Atlanta with their 8-year-old daughter, we immediately thought of the Rambler as a great thing to do with our guests.

Just going to Volunteer Landing is a nice trip in itself. It's a beautiful walk from Neyland Stadium all the way to the Riverside Tavern by Regas.

You can let your kids play in the many fountains along the way, enjoy the waterfowl that frequent the area, take a ride on the Star of Knoxville Riverboat, or just hang out and enjoy the view.

We really couldn't have asked for better weather for our trip: the sky was blue with a few lazy white clouds hanging out, and the temperature was comfortably warm.

It was a perfect day for riding on the Three Rivers Rambler on their open-air car, the Forthright!

We walked a good part of Volunteer Landing from our parking spot by Neyland up past where you board the train.

About the time we'd had the chance to enjoy the whole length of Volunteer Landing, it was time to board the train.

Walking up that set of steps, getting greeted by a real train conductor in an old-fashioned outfit of that position, you really feel like you're stepping into a world from the past.

With a few powerful chugs from Lindy, the Three Rivers Rambler got started. We walked up and down the train to do a little exploring. There are several passenger cars, all restored to their original glory.

There's also a gift and snack car called the Resourceful and a real red caboose called Desire. Desire is closed to general passengers, but can be rented out for parties.

After our tour of the train (during which you can ask questions of the Conductor and other Three Rivers Rambler volunteers and employees, and hear stories about the different cars and the route you're on), we settled on Forthright, the open air car.

Just taking in the whole 360-degree view from Forthright is fantastic! The beautiful old farm land and countryside that runs along the Tennessee River; the chugging sounds of Lindy as she pulls the Rambler down the tracks, and of course, Lindy's whistle...

...It's an experience you have to have to truly appreciate.

And did I mention the views?? They just get better as you go along. The most amazing views happen when you go over the railroad bridge over Forks of the River, where the Holston and French Broad Rivers join to become the Tennessee River.

If you're a water lover, that view is worth the entire trip!

The Three Rivers Rambler stops on the bridge, and our Conductor gave a great talk about the history of the area.

Afterwards, we chugged on across the bridge, and stopped at an old Tennessee marble quary while the steam engine Lindy switched from the front of the train to the back to pull us back to Volunteer Landing.

The trip back was over too soon. Once back, we reluctantly exited the train, and enjoyed a peaceful walk down the Tennessee River to our car.

Now when we're out working or relaxing in our yard and hear Lindy's lonesome whistle, it brings back happy memories of our beautiful trip with friends down the Tennessee River on the Rambler.

There's no doubt: we've found a new favorite thing to do in Knoxville!

Click here for more information about a trip on the 3 Rivers Rambler.

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