The Scenic Train Ride In Kentucky That Runs Year-Round
By Sarah McCosham|Updated on April 30, 2024(Originally published February 03, 2022)
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Kentucky is a state of immense beauty; it’s a place that inspires and invites exploration and wanderlust. While we’re all for getting out and enjoying a hike in the Kentucky wilds, there’s nothing better than sitting back and soaking up the beauty of the Bluegrass State aboard an old-fashioned train. And the Big South Fork Scenic Railway might be the most charming train in the state! All year long this railroad offers excursions that let folks experience each season’s splendor, and we guarantee that a scenic train ride aboard Big South Fork will have you falling head-over-heels in love with Kentucky!
The Big South Fork Scenic Railway is a Bluegrass treasure, enchanting riders since 1907. It's a fun, family-friendly, and historic attraction that often slips under the radar.
History buffs adore this railway, which takes a 14-mile trip down to Blue Heron, the largest interpretive collection of historic coal mining in America... and Kentucky's very own ghost town!
Where else can you take a Kentucky train ride to a ghost town?
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This area is overflowing with history. Coal was discovered in the region early on, and Stearns was established to serve as the hub for the area's mining industry. The Kentucky & Tennessee Railway stretched through the area, and it continued to utilize steam locomotives even after diesel eclipsed it in popularity.
But the Big South Fork Scenic Railway is so much more than an attraction with unique historical significance. Located in magnificent McCreary County, the train offers excursions all year round, allowing folks to take in the unique splendor of the state in each season.
During the spring, Big South Fork has a round-trip adventure on the historic Kentucky & Tennessee Railway line that winds through the blooming forests and fields of the region.
In addition to its regular excursions, Big South Fork Scenic Railway also offers special seasonal events, such as the Polar Express ride during Christmastime. There's something so wholly enchanting about an old-fashioned train depot decked out in twinkly lights and falling snow, don't you think?
No matter the season, these excursions offer stunning views of the landscape as it changes from season to season. Start planning your visit now, and look forward to a scenic train ride through this naturally wondrous area of Kentucky!
When was the last time you enjoyed train rides in Kentucky to admire the beauty of the Bluegrass state?
Stay up-to-date on the latest information by visiting the Big South Fork Scenic Railway website to learn more and book your trip.
For more fun things to do in Kentucky, check out our list of 11 unique Kentucky attractions and activities. An old Louisville ghost tour is always an interesting way to get to know the soul of the city.
