Timeline Slideshow Local Coverage National Coverage VW at a glance Opinion
VW history
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Back to top of pageLocal coverage:
2nd VW board member endorses UAW as fight for hearts, minds continues at Chattanooga plantVolkswagen incentives less than original plant but watchdog groups call government aid 'excessive'
Chattanooga panel wants minority, women hiring reports on VW project
Hamilton County approves VW incentive package
CEO Winterkorn: VW needs higher profits
Former Chattanooga union supporters accuse UAW of 'back-door deals' with VW
Jockeying for jobs: Two men try to get head start on employment at Chattanooga VW plant
Chattanooga, Hamilton County may dip into reserves to cover Volkswagen incentives
VW center, workers coming to downtown Chattanooga
What should Volkswagen name its new Chattanooga-made SUV?
How VW deal unfolded: Number of Chattanooga jobs grew as SUV plan moved forward (video)
VW official: New SUV to be produced in Chattanooga is 'a stunner' (videos)
VW to build new SUV in Chattanooga, add 2,000 jobs; impact to be felt for years to come
UPDATE: VW announces Chattanooga-made SUV, and 2,000 new jobs
Buzz over VW's SUV reaches fever pitch
Tennessee continues talks with VW on SUV line
Volkswagen to award SUV to Chattanooga, report says
Chattanooga VW plant may assemble two SUVs
Gov. Haslam 'very hopeful' about talks with VW to bring SUV to Chattanooga
Tennessee-Mexico incentive battle may delay VW's SUV decision until late June
Does 'Made in America' mean something? Some say yes as VW weighs Chattanooga SUV decision
VW may offer new U.S. products faster
VW of America chief: Company needs new SUVs
Gov. Bill Haslam: Administration 're-engaged' in talks with VW on Chattanooga plant expansion
VW permit could include 'Phase 2' plant expansion in Chattanooga
Tennessee political leaders see VW's SUV decision coming 'soon'
Chattanooga's Volkswagen plant could see unique auto assembly system
VW looks ahead: Letter details expansion for 'existing and future product lines' in Chattanooga
Chattanooga eyed for future Volkswagen CC sedan assembly
Volkswagen's CEO: New SUV key to VW growth in U.S.
Sen. Bob Corker: VW decision on where to build SUV due in 'near future'
Corker: Things 'moving in right direction" on VW plant expansion in Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee awaiting Volkswagen plant expansion
Sen. Lamar Alexander urges VW to build SUV in Chattanooga
Tennessee official to Volkswagen: 'Circumstances have changed'
After dropped UAW appeal in Chattanooga, VW urged to focus on making, selling cars
Andy Berke calls on Tennessee to re-offer incentives to Volkswagen
Bob Corker says UAW withdrawal opens the way for Chattanooga VW plant expansion
VW decision on SUV ‘pretty soon,’ official says
Tennessee must act quickly on Volkswagen incentives; Haslam says state waiting on VW to restart talks
Gov. Haslam denies using $300 million incentive as threat against VW over union plan
Haslam: Incentives not tied to Chattanooga UAW vote outcome
Chattanooga's Volkswagen chief Koch has full plate
VW picks new CEO at Chattanooga Volkswagen plant
Frank Fischer leaving Chattanooga's Volkswagen plant
VW’s Chattanooga SUV decision likely after UAW appeal, Bob Corker says
Waiting on Volkswagen expansion: Union vote appeal creates uncertainty for SUV future
Volkswagen faces UAW, SUV decisions
After workers reject union, Tennessee officials ready to talk SUV incentives with Volkswagen
Corker: State 're-engaged' in talks over SUV for Chattanooga
Bob Corker defends SUV remark after Volkswagen strikes back
Corker says SUV vehicle will come without UAW
New Jetta, small SUV may be built at Chattanooga VW plant
VW Passat family growing; wider line may bolster Chattanooga plant
Browning departs as Volkswagen head in U.S.: New VW CEO faces lack of new product, analysts say
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National coverage:
VW lawyer: Automaker already has deals to build new SUV outside TNVolkswagen's Chattanooga plant is center's top priority, director says
Jetta, small SUV production eyed for Chattanooga
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Opinion:
It's official, the SUV — and real jobs — are oursPam’s Points: Chattanooga's got poverty, but still no VW SUV
Let's hope political 'intangibles' haven't blocked our VW SUV
Kennedy: Why VW should build its SUV here
Time for VW to look ahead
Cook: Tennessee does not like VW?
VW at a glance
Headquarters: Wolfsburg, Germany
Founded: May 1937
Global sales: $254 billion
Global staff: 501,956 employees
Facilities: 62 plants
President: Martin Winterkorn
Chattanooga staff: 2,700 employees
Chattanooga product: Passat
Jack Traylor grew up in a railroad family in Kansas and always had a fascination with the rails, but spent most of his career as a history professor at Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn.
But since retiring in 2010, he's returned to that earlier passion. Traylor has become a conductor for the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and is training to become an engineer.
"From age 3, the railroad excited me. I guess it's the size and the noise and just the whole atmosphere, but I just have it in my blood," Traylor said.
He remembers frequent trips on the train from Emporia to Topeka, Kan. His dad would take him to roundhouses and let him climb atop the diesel and steam engines, explaining to him how each one worked.
"I was just in heaven," he said.
As a conductor, he is responsible for everything that happens on the train. Safety is the first concern, and an encyclopedia-sized book holds regulations and rules that he must know and follow.
"This railroad is very strict on rules and I think that's good because it protects us all," he said. He wants to add to his job skills, and has almost completed his training to become a locomotive engineer. After that, he can fill in wherever he is most needed.
Traylor enjoys talking with passengers and co-workers who share his passion. The kids who have never been on a train are always excited, but he says the adults are often even more excited in a quieter way. He frequently talks to senior citizens who are reliving memories, although he finds that even many older passengers have never ridden a train before
"All ages really seem to gravitate toward trains," he said.