The Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum offer 90-minute, 11-mile round-trip excursions over the former Southern Railway through the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region.
Choices
On the Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum, the diesel-powered trains are made up of vintage coaches from the 1920s and 1930s. Accommodations include four commuter-style coaches with vinyl bench seating and two first-class coaches featuring plush reclining seats and air-conditioning and one “hobo class” open-air car built on a flatcar. Many trips have a special theme, including Mother’s and Father’s Day trains, Pumpkin Patch trains, and Santa specials. Locomotive cab rides are available. You can view outdoor displays of rail cars, equipment, and a watchman’s shanty. Inside exhibits showcase artifacts from Kentucky’s railroad history.
When to go
The grounds of the museum are open every day, so you can inspect or photograph equipment when you like. The museum’s indoor displays are open on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from June through October. Regular train rides are offered on Saturdays, with additional special event trains throughout the year.
Good to know
While in Bluegrass Country, you can tour its noted horse farms and bourbon distilleries.
Worth doing
Minutes away from the museum are several other local attractions that include the Aviation Museum of Kentucky and the Wildside Winery and Vineyard. If you like smaller trains, visit the Nostalgia Station Toy Museum in downtown Versailles. It is housed in a restored 100-year-old Louisville & Nashville Railroad depot and contains numerous antique toy trains.
Don’t miss
The museum has a large collection of locomotives and rolling stock in various stages of restoration. Interesting cars include U.S. Army boxcars, a Seaboard safety car, and a Louisville & Nashville bay window caboose.
Getting there
From Versailles, proceed south and west on Highway 62 for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Beasley Road into Woodford County Park. The museum is on the left after you cross the tracks.
Location: 175 Beasley Road, Versailles, KY
Phone: 859-873-2476
Website: bluegrassrailroad.com
E-mail: Form on website
