What do you get when you put together a caterpillar, a wrecker, a couple of tractors, and an airplane? George and Ida Miller’s tractor ride!
Originally from Maryland and Florida, the Millers are high school sweethearts that have been married for 52 years. They found out about Dunlap, TN from Southern Living Magazine, and drawn by the presence of four seasons, they moved and have been there for eleven years.
Ida and GeorgeIda with her favorite car…and George with his favorite!
George and Ida are part of the Days of Yesteryear Tractor Club in Sequatchie County, TN. The club is active in the community and puts on family friendly events where folks can enjoy good, wholesome fun.
George & his 1982 John Deere 650
Their little slice of the club is called “Happy Days Entertainment,” and they bring their tractor ride – also called a trackless train – to local organization events. Places they go include schools, churches, and charities such as the Ronald McDonald House.
“The ride was the tractor club president’s idea,” says Ida. “The men have the tractors and the women had crafts and things, so we needed something for the kids.”
The initial idea was to build a train with a different tractor for each “car.” George ended up taking charge of the project and put his creative spin on things. His background as a mechanic helps him make ideas into reality.
“I recycle things and come up with ideas from pieces I already have. I have an unofficial junk pile in my backyard…you just can’t see it,” George chuckles. And it’s true – the junk pile is nowhere to be seen around the immaculate yard and garage.
The result is a total of about 17 train cars, each with a different theme. Each car begins with a 55 gallon plastic drum for a base while axles, wheels, and custom decorations are added bit by bit. Recently, they started adding seats that would fit a couple of adults so those with infants and young toddlers could ride with them.
The UT car!
A little tractor car.the My Little Pony carThe feisty caterpillar!
There are bells and horns the kids can ring and honk, and people also donate handmade steering wheels and other unique pieces, like a Mack truck dog for the wrecker.custom-made wooden steering wheelThe Mack truck dog
There is even a car that is wheelchair accessible, with a special tractor seat for a parent or caretaker. Everything is towed by George’s 1982 two-cylinder diesel John Deere 650.
The train all lined up, with the wheelchair-accessible car at the end.
The overall result is whimsical delight – thoughtful and creative with touches of wackiness thrown in.
When asked why they pour all the work and time it takes into building and maintaining the train and attending events, George simply says, “Well, it’s fun and it’s our way of helping the tractor club make money. We have the time to do it since we’re retired.”
What a fun way to stay busy, do enjoyable work, and give back to the community! Thanks so much George and Ida, for sharing your time and talents and telling us more about your tractor ride.
If you are in the Sequatchie County/Chattanooga area and are interested in booking the best tractor ride ever, please contact George or Ida Miller at (home) 423-949-7755/(cell) 386-299-9598 for details and pricing.
You can learn more about the Days of Yesteryear tractor club at www.daysofyesteryear.org.