The major freight haulers through the "Blue Grass State" today are the CSX and NS, linking the South and the Midwest. High volumes of coal originate from the eastern areas of the state. Amtrak's Cardinal and the City of New Orleans also pass through the state. Kentucky's first railroad was the Lexington & Ohio, opening in 1834. Folklore legend, "Casey" Jones was born in Cayce, Ky. Total track routes for the state are a little over 2600 miles.
Scenic train rides in the state of Kentucky include the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, the Kentucky Railway Museum, Big South Fork Scenic Railway and the Bluegrass Scenic Railway.
My Old Kentucky Dinner Train operates a 15 mile year-round rail excursions that include both lunch and dinner trips. Special event trains include a Mystery Train, a Valentines Train, a North Pole Express as well as other event trains. Four course meals are server aboard the dinner train, that features elegant vintage 1940s dining cars, and offer a place to enjoy relaxed conversation, along with the fine cuisine and gracious service. A ride aboard the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train is a chance to experience a wonderful bygone era. There are also two restored depots along the line, at Deatsville and Limestone Springs. The area is also rich in Civil War history.
RAILWAY MUSEUM of GREATER CINCINNATI The Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati a collection of railway equipment and over 70 railway cars, including large Pullman cars, several switchers from the seven railways that served Cincinnati along with a a Pennsylvania Railroad E8A diesel locomotive.
Housed in a replica of the original New Haven station, the Kentucky Railway Museum has more than 50,000 railroad items, including over 120 pieces of rolling stock and engines. Among the diverse locomotives is the museum's centerpiece, the 1905 Rogers built ex-L&N 4-6-2 No. 152. A 90 minute train rides take you over 22 miles of former Louisville & Nashville track. Open year round with excursion train rides running from April through December. Open air and air conditioned coaches are available. Museum offers dinner trains, murder mystery trains, train hold ups and Santa Trains. Locomotive cab and caboose rides are also available. Kentucky Railway Museum, in conjuction with Family Modular Lines, operates a large model train building. The 3,000 square feet exhibit space includes displays and operating layouts such as HO scale, N-scale, S-scale & G gauge from a variety of time periods. Directions.
The Paducah Railroad Museum displays equipment and memorabilia from various railroads, including the three that served Paducah, the L&N, CB&Q as well as the Illinois Central. Museum also includes a model railroad layout. Open weekends.
The South Fork Scenic Railway train travels over the former Kentucky & Tennessee Railway making a 16 mile round trip into the Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. This trip is full of spectacular scenic vistas, lush vegetation and mountain streams as it descends 600 feet into the gorge before stopping for a short layover at 1937 Blue Heron Coal Mining Camp, a NPS outdoor interpretive site. Your ticket also includes admission to the McCreary County Museum in Stearns.
Train rides run from April through October. Round trip times vary between 3 to 3 1/2 hours in length. All trains depart on Eastern Time and run rain or shine. Railway also offers diesel locomotive cab rides, caboose rides, as well as a "Rivers and Rails" package that includes a 12 mile train ride and a 5 mile canoe ride. October themed train rides include a "Trick or Treat Train for Tots" and a "Haunted Halloween Train". Directions.
The Bluegrass Scenic Railroad offers a 6-mile round trip excursion through the heart of the Kentucky Bluegrass region. Railroad features several diesel locomotives and 1920's and '30's vintage coaches. Railroad museum includes indoor and outdoor displays. Special event trains include major holiday themes as well as a Mystery Train,Holloween Trains and Santa Trains. The Nostalgia Station Toy Train Museum is located in a 1911 L&N depot and contains an extensive collection of 20th century toy trains. Trains run rain or shine. Directions.
.jpg)
