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All Aboard the Bluegrass Train Experience
By Dale Leatherman
July 9, 2025
Trains, once the arteries of nations, are enjoying a vibrant resurgence. No other mode of transport offers such sensory immersion into landscapes and local culture. The timeless romance of the rails is particularly evident along Kentucky’s Bluegrass Train Experience, a curated “trail” weaving through five counties and 13 iconic rail-related encounters, a series of engaging experiences unfolding at a satisfyingly human pace.
Imagine stepping aboard rare, lovingly restored railcars from a bygone era. Picture yourself gazing out at Kentucky’s iconic rolling hills, the very landscape that nurtures champion thoroughbreds. Each stop offers a unique facet of the bluegrass region, including historic bourbon distilleries nestled among the farmland, charming small towns brimming with local art scenes, and antique shops echoing with forgotten tales.
The Bluegrass Train Experience encourages exploration. Its passport program prompts visitors to collect experiences and forge memories. With four restored railways offering immersive train rides complemented by historic depots, the adventure promises a multilayered tapestry of Kentucky’s history, scenery, and local flavor—a journey that resonates long after the final whistle blows.
Nelson County
1. My Old Kentucky Dinner Train
Bardstown, the self-proclaimed “Bourbon Capital of the World,” is also a train destination. My Old Kentucky Dinner Train zips by landmarks like the Jim Beam Distillery. Photo courtesy Kentucky Tourism
The self-proclaimed “Bourbon Capital of the World,” Bardstown in Nelson County also plays a major role in the state’s train-related tourism. “Train experiences in our area have increased in popularity, attracting diverse groups, including international visitors,” notes Stacey Phelps, president of Bardstown Tourism.
My Old Kentucky Dinner Train passes such Bardstown landmarks as the Jim Beam Distillery, Bernheim Forest, and the Jackson Hollow Trestle during 2½-hour rides. Passengers dine on meals prepared in its modern kitchen car. Themed and seasonal rides include murder mysteries and Galentine’s Day brunches as well as excursions for youngsters with superheroes and princesses.
Info: Train tickets start at $63.50.
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2. Kentucky Railway Museum
The Kentucky Railway Museum’s 5,000-square-foot exhibit hall, modeled after the original Louisville & Nashville New Haven Depot, houses artifacts, memorabilia, and a detailed HO-scale model train layout. Outdoor displays showcase more than 70 pieces of historic rail equipment, such as passenger cars, cabooses, and freight cars.
The 1½-hour rides on the Kentucky Railway Museum’s historic L&N Lebanon Branch train in New Haven pass through the scenic Rolling Fork River Valley.
Info: Admission starts at $7; train rides are $19.
McCreary County
3. Big South Fork Scenic Railway
McCreary County is home to the Big South Fork Scenic Railway, whose rides last 45 minutes each way, with a 1.5-hour stop for exploration at the historic Blue Heron Coal Mining Camp. Photo courtesy Kentucky Tourism
The only county in Kentucky without an incorporated town, McCreary County is known for its wilderness areas, waterfalls, whitewater rivers, natural stone arches, and the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Most of the county’s natural treasures lie in national and state parks and forests, making it a popular destination for hikers, bikers, and paddlers.
Nature lovers and train fans are in for a special treat on rail excursions, which begin in the historic district of Stearns and delve into the scenic beauty of the Daniel Boone National Forest, dropping 600 feet into the river gorge and passing through a 256-foot-long tunnel.
The out-and-back trip is 45 minutes each way, with a 1½-hour stop for exploration at the historic Blue Heron Coal Mining Camp. A variety of themed train experiences like murder mysteries and rides with Santa Claus are also available on select dates.
Info: Admission, $28.
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Woodford County
4. Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum
On weekends May through October, Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum visitors can board passenger cars built in the 1920s and ’30s for a 90-minute ride over track laid in 1889. Photo courtesy Kentucky Tourism
In the heart of Bluegrass horse country, Woodford County is home to the Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum and five other passport stops. The small museum contains railroad artifacts and a model train display.
On weekends May through October, visitors can board passenger cars built in the 1920s and ’30s for a 90-minute ride over track laid in 1889. The trip ventures to the Kentucky River and Young’s High Bridge, a local bungee-jumping site, passing about 40 pieces of retired rolling stock along the route.
Info: Train tickets start at $15.
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5. Rail Explorers
Rail Explorer’s two- and four-seat vehicles on Woodford County’s historic section of track are open-air and primarily pedal-powered but include electric assist for inclines. Photo courtesy Bluegrass Train Experience
Woodford County’s historic section of track is also used by the excursion operator Rail Explorers, which offers a unique way to experience the outdoors by pedaling custom-built railbikes.
Riders comfortably soak in scenic landscapes at a safe pace, while enjoying a novel blend of recreation, nature, and railway history. Open to the elements, Rail Explorer’s two- and four-seat vehicles are mostly pedal-powered with an electric assist for uphill sections.
Info: $99 for a two-person railbike or $175 for a four-person railbike for two hours.
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6. Nostalgia Station Toy and Train Museum
Versailles’ Nostalgia Station Toy and Train Museum hosts a massive collection of antique toys and trains from the 1890s to the 1990s. Photo courtesy Bluegrass Train Experience
Not all train history is life-sized. Located in a restored 1911 L&N passenger train station, the Nostalgia Station Toy and Train Museum in Versailles houses a large collection of antique toys and trains from the 1890s to the 1990s in various gauges and styles from brands like Lionel, American Flyer, and Carlisle & Finch.
The museum also features a pair of operating train layouts from 1926 and 1956 that meander through the venue.
Info: Admission, $5.
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7. Midway Museum
The village of Midway owes its existence to a railroad. In the early 1830s, it was the center of activity for the Lexington and Ohio Railroad, which operated until the early 1970s. The Midway Museum features exhibits and other memorabilia chronicling the city’s deep connection to rail history. Visitors can have their passports stamped at Wallace Station.
Info: Admission, free.
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Oldham County
8. La Grange Railroad Museum and Learning Center
La Grange is famous for trains running down the center of its Main Street. Up to 20 freight trains a day can pass through the historic downtown area. Photo courtesy Bluegrass Train Experience
Located 20 minutes from Louisville, Oldham County is home to unique rail experiences, along with several distillery tours, more than a dozen horse farm tours, an active arts scene, and farm-to-table dining options.
At La Grange Railroad Museum and Learning Center in the 1914 L&N depot on Main Street, visitors can learn about Pewee Valley and Crestwood, two of the major stops on the Louisville, Anchorage and Pewee Valley Railway. Besides witnessing trains traveling directly along downtown La Grange’s Main Street, visitors can also enjoy antique shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Info: Admission, free.
At the La Grange Railroad Museum and Learning Center, visitors can glimpse exhibits and memorabilia in Oldham County’s former 1914 Louisville & Nashville train depot. Photo courtesy Bluegrass Train Experience
Warren County
9. Historic RailPark and Train Museum
Behind the Historic RailPark and Train Museum in Warren County, restored cars house exhibits as part of a guided touring experience. Photo courtesy Bluegrass Train Experience
In Bowling Green in Warren County, the Historic RailPark and Train Museum is housed in the restored 1925 L&N Depot. The museum contains two floors of interactive displays and one of the region’s largest model train displays. Behind the museum is 450 feet of track with retired rolling stock, including five restored cars that serve as the focus of the guided railcar tour.
Info: Admission, $18.