ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The Kentucky Railway Museum owes its beginning to a small number of rail enthusiasts who formed a local chapter of the National Railway Historical Society in 1948. In the early 1950s, the Chapter asked the Louisville and Nashville Railroad for the donation of a steam locomotive to form the nucleus of a railway museum.
The museum was officially chartered in 1954, and with the donation of steam locomotive #152, we leased six acres of land on River Road and opened to the public on Memorial Day 1958. The museum grew with the addition of other donated rail equipment and artifacts, with over 100,000 visitors coming through the gates by the early 1960s. Over 200,000 people came to the River Road site in the first 10 years of operation!
OUR MISSION
The Kentucky Railway Museum, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization chartered in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the purpose of education of the public regarding the history and heritage of Kentucky’s railroads and the people who built them through the acquisition, restoration, preservation, display, and operation of the rail equipment and artifacts.
RAVE REVIEWS FROM OUR GUESTS!
We took the grandchildren ages 5 and 2 for the Saturday excursion. The facilities were clean and the staff very friendly. The train ride was just over an hour and the kids really loved it. The gift shop has lots of train related items available for purchase. Highly recommended. Great for all ages!
– MichelleR68, TripAdvisor
We enjoyed the whole experience! It was the first time my granddaughter had been on a train ride. She enjoyed it very much!!
– Patty Z., Facebook
My wife and I have taken our children to several events held at the railway museum. The events are always fun and well coordinated. The kids have a great time and always enjoy the day. The museum has a huge model train exhibit to see with other old items to show the history of the rails. I would recommend going to any event.
– Jeremy D., TripAdvisor
Our group of 9 really enjoyed the Day Out with Thomas June 10. Fun activities for the kids while waiting for Thomas the Train! We enjoyed the train ride and will return in the future!
– Brenda T., Facebook
I recently visited with a friend and our preteen grandchildren. All four of us took lots of photographs and the children especially enjoyed getting to climb up into an old caboose. The guide really knew his stuff (answered tons of questions) and made it an enjoyable tour for us all.
– Beth W., TripAdvisor
Husband and I loved stepping back in time for the Great Train Robbery. Was our first time doing this,but you better believe we will visit again. Would love to bring our grandkids out for Santa. And diffently want to ride the dinner train. Everyone was super nice. Keep the events coming. We will be looking forward to seeing more.
– Dawn S., Facebook
The tour included railroad history and a complete guided tour of any and all trains and cars we wanted to see. The guides were knowledgeable of all aspects of each locomotive and cars from engine to caboose. I highly recommend this as a do not miss stop.
– Mitch T., TripAdvisor
The trip to the North Pole was fantastic!! Amazing helpers for Santa and the conductors were loving all over the children and made it the big deal it was for my three-year-old boy. Thanks for the memories and the magic!
– Trisha G., Facebook