WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A small town with a rich railroad history is in the process of planning a new train museum. The Watertown Railroad Museum will be an entire railroad park once it’s complete.

Railroads have been an important part of Watertown’s history. The Tennessee Central Railroad Museum has ran excursions trains into Watertown for the past 30 years. 

President of the Watertown Railroad Museum, Chris Ferrari, started the organization about a year ago. Ferrari says when he first moved to Watertown, he was familiar with the railway history and he wanted to create a way to leverage the history of how railroads played a part in Watertown's story.

He spent years working to create a place residents and tourists can experience train excursions and learn the history of the railroad. Currently, the property is an old brick building built back in 1905, which was once used by the Railway Express Agency. 

The museum will have several different sections, including an art show opportunity, a rooftop viewing area of steam engines, exhibits, events, outdoor space, restaurants and more. Ferrari says they’re looking forward to launching this to the community and putting a spotlight on Watertown's history. Museum organizers say their hoping the new tourist attraction brings visitors to the town and helps benefit local businesses.

“We want to tell the story of Watertown and the railroad history," Ferrari says. "We want to create an opportunity to create memories while you’re experiencing this life history and bring tourism to Watertown to make an economic impact for our town.”

An invite-only kickoff event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the museum building, located at 129 Depot Street in Watertown. There will be a video presentation of the future museum site for visitors to see. Ferrari says he expects the museum to be completed in three to four years.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tn-neighborhood-news/watertown-plans-new-railroad-museum-to-highlight-its-railroad-history/