There's A Train-Themed Village Hiding In Tennessee And It's Perfect For A Day Trip
By Meghan Kraft|Published June 12, 2018
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Tennessee is known for its history. From the frontier days to the bitter battles of the Civil War, it seems like you can hardly shake a stick in Tennessee without the stick being a part of something historic. Okay, that’s a stretch, but it’s true that there are more historic places than you would think. For example, did you know that the most famous train engineer who ever lived was from Tennessee and that his house is now a historic train village? It’s true! Step back in time 100 years to the times of Casey Jones.
Jackson, Tennessee is a great spot for a day trip from anywhere in Middle or West Tennessee, but many people don't realize that it's the home of one of the most famous train engineers who ever lived: Casey Jones.
Casey Jones was a legendary train engineer, even in his own time. He was known for being one of the most talented and punctual engineers in the country, but it is his death that he is most remembered for. He died in a train accident in 1900, but his actions to minimize impact are said to have saved the lives of every person on his passenger train.
Today, his home is a part of a historic village, dedicated to his history and the history of railroading in Tennessee. Right next door to his house is the museum.
The museum not only features exhibits and history lessons about Casey Jones and the greater movement of rail travel that he was a part of. There are also historic train cars and an engine that you can walk through.
The village is perfect for families because there's a little something for everyone. The parents will love the history and its connection to Tennessee and Jackson, but there are plenty of model trains for the kids to play with as well.
The museum even has a real train locomotive of the same style as Casey Jones's famous engine. While his didn't make it through the crash, this one is exactly like it.