An East Tennessee resident is dedicating his life to preserving gaming history by restoring vintage arcade and pinball machines. Nathan Braden, operating Dixieland Pinball, uses a 3,200-square-foot workshop to bring decades-old equipment back to life for future generations.

A transition to vintage arcade games

Braden previously worked as a machinist at the Y-12 nuclear facility in Oak Ridge. After years in retail and a long career at the nuclear site, he decided to pursue his childhood passion for arcade gaming. He spent years teaching himself how to repair machines by studying technical manuals.

What began as a small hobby in a garage eventually expanded into a significant operation. Braden's work now includes:

  • Repairing traditional upright arcade cabinets
  • Restoring older electromechanical pinball machines
  • Selling replacement parts to customers in eight different countries
  • Traveling across the United States to service machines

The scale of the operation

His collection has grown significantly over the years. Before establishing his current workshop, Braden's collection was so large that he required 10 different storage units, which cost him more than $2,000 every month in rent. This growth eventually led him to build his own dedicated space on property that has been in his family for more than a century.

At 58 years old, Braden made the major decision to leave his six-figure job to focus entirely on his passion. His service work has taken him to various states, including Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

How does he preserve the past?

For Braden, the work is about more than mechanical repair. He views his business as a way to protect the memories associated with these machines. "I preserve the past for the future," Braden said regarding his mission.

While the process of maintaining machines that are sometimes 75 years old can be difficult, the business has grown from a small collection into a large-scale restoration effort.

FAQ

Where is Dixieland Pinball located?

The workshop is situated in East Tennessee on land that has been in the Braden family for more than 100 years.

What kind of machines does he work on?

Braden restores a variety of equipment, ranging from vintage electromechanical pinball machines to standard upright arcade cabinets.