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Converting the TAG rail line into a rail trail would preserve a historic rail corridor while promoting health, well-being, and access to nature.
Converting the TAG rail line into a rail trail would preserve a historic rail corridor while promoting health, well-being, and access to nature.
The unused rail corridor linking Tennessee Alabama and Georgia has been identified by several entities, including the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, and Trust for Public Land, as a potential valuable greenway. We agree.
The unused rail corridor linking Tennessee Alabama and Georgia has been identified by several entities, including the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, and Trust for Public Land, as a potential valuable greenway. We agree.
This corridor is a hidden gem. We believe it's time to turn it into a public trail. Such a trail would connect the residents of Chattanooga Valley to the TN Riverwalk and would connect the entire region to the scenic vistas of Chattanooga Valley alongside Lookout Mountain.
This corridor is a hidden gem. We believe it's time to turn it into a public trail. Such a trail would connect the residents of Chattanooga Valley to the TN Riverwalk and would connect the entire region to the scenic vistas of Chattanooga Valley alongside Lookout Mountain.
There is a hidden and unused path between the fast roads of Chattanooga Valley. Let’s use it to create safe passage for walkers and bikers.
What we have now
What we have now
A section of the unused TAG line
What we could have
What we could have
A rail trail in Loudoun Co, VA
A Brief History of the TAG Line
A Brief History of the TAG Line
1911: TAG Rail Line Created
1911: TAG Rail Line Created
The Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia (TAG) railroad corridor is established, stretching 92 miles from Chattanooga through NW Georgia to Gadsden, Alabama.
1960s: Siskin Steel
1960s: Siskin Steel
Siskin Steel owns the route and uses it to move steel from Chattanooga to Gadsden.
1971: Southern Railway
1971: Southern Railway
Southern Railway purchases the route. The northern 23 miles ending in Kensington is operated by Chattooga and Chickamauga Railway. Much of the southern portion is dismantled.
2001: Silver Comet Trail
2001: Silver Comet Trail
The Silver Comet Trail near Atlanta opens.
2010: Rail Closure
2010: Rail Closure
Following the closure of the Dow Reichhold plant in Kensington, the current owners of the rail line, Norfolk Southern, begin closing the rail corridor.
2011: The Rail Trail Idea Begins
2011: The Rail Trail Idea Begins
Various groups and individuals start looking at the idea of a rail trail along
the former TAG Line from Chattanooga to Chickamauga or Kensington or even
beyond.
2013: TAG Line Rail Trail Promoted in Planning Study
2013: TAG Line Rail Trail Promoted in Planning Study
The Silver Comet Trail Economic Impact Analysis and Planning Study notes
the success of the Silver Comet Trail and suggests “Silver Comet Connector” using the TAG Line between Kensington and Chattanooga, potentially connecting via Rome and Cedartown to the Silver Comet.
See an interactive map of these proposed connector trails here.
2017: TAG Line Rail Trail Promoted in Feasibility Study & Times Free Press
2017: TAG Line Rail Trail Promoted in Feasibility Study & Times Free Press
The NWGA Feasibility Study for Bikeway and Pedestrian Multi-use Routes
promotes the concept of a Chick Chatt Greenway as strong economic driver for Walker, Catoosa and Hamilton Counties (study by Ragan-Smith commissioned by NW Georgia Regional Commission).
The idea of a 50+ mile Chick Chatt Greenway loop is announced in this Times Free Press article.
2018: Closure Completed
2018: Closure Completed
Norfolk Southern formally discontinues service on the TAG line.
2020: Walker County Rail Trail Discussions Begin
2020: Walker County Rail Trail Discussions Begin
September: Walker County Chamber of Commerce holds a meeting about the TAG Line and the Chick Chatt with county leaders as well as Thrive Regional Partnership and Trust for Public Land.
November: Walker County decides in favor of a multi-county approach (the Chick Chatt) over a single-county initiative (TAG Line), while not ruling out an eventual Silver Comet Connector.
2021: Walker & Catoosa Counties Build Support for the Rail Trail
2021: Walker & Catoosa Counties Build Support for the Rail Trail
April: Walker and Catoosa County leaders tour Eureka Trail in Athens, TN, and are energized by meeting with McMinn County Mayor John Gentry and Athens Parks and Recreation Director Austin Fesmire, responsible for the trail's creation.
May: Catoosa County and Ringgold leadership meet with Walker County Chamber and Chattanooga Sports and support ChickChatt Loop concept.
What's Next for the TAG Line?
What's Next for the TAG Line?
The future of the TAG line has yet to be decided. The Friends of the ChickChatt Greenway is advocating for a rail-banking agreement for the TAG line.
Rail banking is a process by which rail corridors are preserved and converted into public trails by means of an agreement between the rail company and a trail sponsor. Potential trail sponsors for the TAG line have stepped forward, but they need an agreement from the rail company, Norfolk Southern.
Rail-banking is a win-win; it honors the heritage of the railway and prevents fragmentation of the rail line.
If the rail company decides to resurrect rail service in the future, they may do so. In the meantime, the public can benefit from a walking and biking path. There is a long history of successful rail-banking in the United States. Read more about the history and legislation here.
We don't want the TAG line to be abandoned. This is different than a mere discontinuation of service on a rail line - its current status. Were the rail company to formally abandon the line, then the corridor with its right-of-ways would cease to exist. We don't want this to happen because it would be much more difficult to create a greenway - or a future railway - through northwest Georgia.
Will you join us and show the rail company and public officials that rail banking the TAG line as a Rail Trail is a local priority?
We are the Friends of the ChickChatt Greenway: a coalition of neighbors, businesses, landowners, and leaders who want to see the ChickChatt realized.
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