Events
Horns in the holler - train horn event
SAT May 20, 2023
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We are pleased to announce our first-ever Horns in the Holler horn honk and railroad heritage event on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
This inaugural event will be fun for all ages and railroad enthusiasts. For the first time ever, we are going to offer “unlimited” train rides for the weekend – one ticket allows you to ride all day Saturday as much as you choose. Visitors can also come just to watch, for free.
If you own a locomotive air horn and want the opportunity to hear it on an operating engine, this is the event for you. There will be dozens of run-bys and opportunities to hear your horn echo for miles up and down the Kentucky River Valley, ride in a caboose or open-air car behind the locomotive equipped with your horn, and even the chance to ride in the cab while your horn is attached. Tickets are extremely limited.
For more information or technical questions on the Horns in the Holler event, please reach out to the event coordinator Jamason Conn at jamasonconn@gmail.com
EASTER BUNNY RAIL HOP
SAT APRIL 8th, 2023
Easter Bunny Hop
Hop aboard our vintage train and enjoy a leisurely trip through the former L&N Ravenna Yard. During the journey you will be visited by the Easter Bunny. We will also provide a history lesson on the facility and what the future holds for the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation.
Galloway Farms will have a food truck on-site with plenty of locally sourced food.
Don’t forget to bring your basket for the egg hunt. There may even be an egg or two on the train!
Click below to buy tickets to ride in your choice of our baggage car, caboose, or in the cab of the locomotive.
(Please note that cab ride tickets are extremely limited and children under 12 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult)
Saturday, April 8th: 10am, 11a,. 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm.
Adults over 12 years: $10 Coach, $25 Caboose
Children 2-12: $5 Coach, $25 Caboose
Locomotive Cab Ride Tickets: $50 Each
PAST EVENTS
SANTA EXPRESS
SOLD OUT
2022 Santa Express
Join us December 17-18 for our annual Christmas event, now featuring a special train ride with Santa himself! Climb aboard our beautifully restored C&O caboose for a visit with Kris Kringle while you take a ride down the tracks. Don't forget to wear your most festive gear and pose for your yearly photo!
Inside the steam shop, we'll be offering a variety of "reindeer games" and activities for children of all ages. Make sure to visit Bam's Petting Zoo and grab a bite to eat at Lib's Smoke Shack. Or, join us early for a special pancake breakfast with Santa! All proceeds go toward the restoration of our facility and C&O 2716.
Children with caboose tickets will receive a special personalized gift during their ride. Caboose tickets are for specific times, so please try to arrive 15 - 20 minutes early. Children 2 and under ride free. Tickets will be very limited so please don't delay, order yours today!
Be the Engineer
Get behind the throttle for a rare opportunity to operate a real steam engine. You'll get the chance to blow the whistle, run the engine, and shovel coal in the firebox, under the direction of seasoned railroad professionals. One hour includes instruction, throttle time, and safety briefing. Extremely limited tickets available.
Saturday Oct 8
Make it an event! Bring even more friends and family to ride behind the steam locomotive in the restored C&O Caboose! Up to 10 people can ride ($20 per person)
Engineer Ages 15+ only
Please note: accessibility to the locomotive will be through a step ladder or similar device. Riders will be required to wear eye protection. Those with questions about accessibility can contact info@kentuckysteam.org before booking
SOLD OUT
STEAMTOBERFEST
Join us for our fall festival, celebrating the season with food and music...and craft beer from Country Boy Brewing! Caboose and steam locomotive cab rides will be offered throughout the day, as you can kick back and relax on our site with a rare opportunity to have a cold one trackside as Jeddo Coal #85 runs short excursions throughout our rail yard.
Food will be provided by Country Boy Brewing's own mobile kitchen. Our staff will also be on-site to give visitors site tours. This is a family-friendly event, but all those wishing to purchase a fresh brew must provide a valid ID.
Engineer Ages 15+ only
Please note: accessibility to the locomotive will be through a step ladder or similar device. Riders will be required to wear eye protection. Those with questions about accessibility can contact info@kentuckysteam.org before booking
Behind the Scenes Experience
Learn how a steam engine is fired up for a day of work, and get hands-on with the whole process. Also get an in-depth look with our steam expert Jason Sobczynski at what's in store with the restoration of C&O 2716, the engine that started our whole organization. Attendees will get up close and personal with a variety of railroad equipment. 1.5 hours.
8:30 am Saturday, September 10th
Ages 6 and up*
Please note: accessibility to the locomotive will be through a step ladder or similar device. Riders will be required to wear eye protection. Those with questions about accessibility can contact info@kentuckysteam.org before booking
*if accompanied by an adult
Steam Train Rides
Ride behind a 90-year-old steam locomotive on the second-annual public excursions through our storied railroad campus. Open air seats in historic rail cars will allow you to hear, feel and smell the sounds of old-time steam railroading - and experience what was commonplace in the days of steam railroading. Each ticket guarantees you a seat to ride on a short hop to yesteryear.
Rides run on Saturday, September 10th, and Sunday, September 11th, 2022 only! 40 min
Coach Ticket
$10
Children two and under will not require a ticket; all passenger two and over will require a ticket
Caboose Rides
Ride behind steam across our 40-acre campus in a completely restored C&O caboose and learn about the history of the rail yard - and what the future holds for our rail-based tourist attraction. Each excursion will include a ride behind Jeddo Coal #85.
Rides run on Saturday, September 10th, and Sunday, September 11th, 2022 only! 40 min
Have a group of 4-10? Contact us to rent out the engine caboose for one of the excursions. email info@kentuckysteam.org with the subject: caboose rental
Single Ticket
$20
Children two and under will not require a ticket; all passenger two and over will require a ticket
Ride in the Cab
Ride in the Cab of historic 90-year-old locomotive #85 as we gallop through the Kentucky Steam Campus that was once one of the largest railyards in the region. You'll be one of the lucky few to be in the engine to see how the fire-breathing beast operates. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity. Tickets are extremely limited. 40 minutes
10am-6pm, Saturday Sept 10, and Sunday, Sept 11 2022
Ages 8+ only
$50
Please note: accessibility to the locomotive will be through a step ladder or similar device. Riders will be required to wear eye protection. Those with questions about accessibility can contact info@kentuckysteam.org before booking
ENGINEER U - SUMMER 2022
ENGINEER U, 2022
Ever dreamed of being an engineer? Well, here's your chance! Climb aboard our vintage Diesel Locomotive and take the controls! You'll get a quick course on how to throttle up, work the brake and even blow the horn - and perform exciting challenges along the way. This one-and-a-half-hour experience can be a once-in-a-lifetime event for you, or if you choose, your own crew! Packages can be crafted for up to 13 family members and friends. This summer program has limited availability, so don't delay. Act now and get your Engineer U diploma today!
June 4, 18; July 2, 16, 30; August 13, 27
What's Included*
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One hour at the controls of KSHC Diesel 1100, originally built at L&N 5000. $250
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Half Hour safety briefing and rules class.
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Customized "Engineer U" Tee Shirt.
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A set of skills challenges during your run, including braking accuracy, coupling to cars, etc. Receive a scorecard and see where you stack up against other engineers at the end of the summer. The Engineer U Valedictorian will qualify for a chance to run a steam locomotive later this year
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Option to bring friends and family (see below)
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Behind the scenes tour of our facility, including a sneak peek and what's in store for C&O 2716
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MORE!
OPTIONS
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Bring two friends or family to ride with you in the cab as you operate 1100 ($50 each)
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Get a custom digital pic of you in the cab
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Opt to get a video of you running the engine (SD card of your experience can be included)
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Make it an event! Bring even more friends and family to ride behind 1100 in the restored C&O Caboose! Up to 10 people can ride ($25 per person)
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Behind the scenes tour of our facility, including a sneak peek on what's in store for C&O 2716
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MORE!
in order to qualify for cab jump seats and caboose tickets, you must first purchase an engineer experience ticket.
*The fine print
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Engineer U Participants must have a valid US driver's license.
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Participants must be physically able to climb up and into a locomotive cab.
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Caboose is not fully accessible although KSHC members will accommodate those of various physical abilities.
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No refunds.
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Participants must arrive no less than thirty minutes before their scheduled time.
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KSHC reserves the right to alter the program, substitute motive power, or cancel in the event of unusual weather events or natural disasters.
EASTER BUNNY RAIL HOP
SUN APRIL 10 and SAT APRIL 16, 2022
Easter Bunny Hop
Take a leisurely ride across our 40-acre campus in a vintage 100-year-old open-air car and learn about the history of the rail yard - and what the future holds for our rail-based tourist attraction. The Easter Bunny will visit everyone during the ride, and a face painting booth will be provided for any and all ages. You never know, there could be some Easter eggs hidden aboard the train! Galloway Farms Food Truck will be on-site for food and refreshments for an additional cost.
A ticket reserves you a seat on the brief excursion hauled by vintage diesel locomotive #1100. Children 2 and under ride free with an adult.
Palm Sunday, April 10th: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Easter Saturday, April 16th: 10am, 11a,. 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm.
Adults over 12 years:
Children 2-12:
ON SALE!
Easter Caboose Hop
Ride in style across our 40-acre campus in a completely restored C&O caboose and learn about the history of the rail yard - and what the future holds for our rail-based tourist attraction. The Easter Bunny will visit everyone during the ride, and a face painting booth will be provided for any and all ages. You never know, there could be some Easter eggs hidden aboard the train! Galloway Farms Food Truck will be on-site for food and refreshments.
A very limited number of seats are available on the caboose during this brief jaunt hauled by vintage diesel locomotive #1100.
Palm Sunday, April 10th: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Easter Saturday, April 16th: 10am, 11a,. 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm.
Single Ticket
$25
Children two and under will not require a ticket; all passenger two and over will require a ticket
SOLD OUT
Engineer Experience
While the Easter Bunny entertains riders in our train, you'll be at the front of the action, helping power the 1970-built SW-1500 locomotive down the tracks.
Two tickets per trip are offered for riders who want to see what it's like to sit in the cab of a locomotive while it pulls a train - and you can even have a chance to blow the horn. Each ticket is for designated for one person - sorry no lap infants. Accessibility requirements as listed below.
Palm Sunday, April 10th: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Easter Saturday, April 16th: 10am, 11a,. 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm.
Single Ticket
$50
Please note: accessibility to the locomotive will be through a step ladder or similar device. Riders will be required to wear eye protection. Those with questions about accessibility can contact info@kentuckysteam.org before booking. Engineer ticket holders can also ride another trip free (non-caboose tickets) with pre-arrangements made with our ticket office.
SOLD OUT!
Riders from 8 to 18 can purchase a single ticket, but will have to provide a liability waiver signed by a legal guardian on-site. Ages 7 and under must have a ticket and be accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Ride behind a 90-year-old steam locomotive on the first ever public excursions through our historic railroad campus. Open air seats in our historic rail cars will allow you to hear, feel and smell the sounds of old time steam railroading - and experience what was commonplace in the days of steam railroading. Each ticket guarantees you a seat to ride on a short hop to yesteryear.
Rides on the half hour, beginning at 10am, Saturday September 11th, 2021. 30 minutes.
Adults over 12 years:
Children 12 and under:
SOLD OUT
Ride in the Cab
Ride in the Cab of historic 90-year-old locomotive #126 as we gallop though the Kentucky Steam Campus that was once one of the largest railyards in the region. You'll be one of the lucky few to be in the engine to see how the fire-breathing beast operates. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity. Tickets are extremely limited. 30 minutes
10am-6pm, Saturday Sept 11, 2021
Ages 8+ only
Please note: accessibility to the locomotive will be through a step ladder or similar device. Riders will be required to wear eye protection. Those with questions about accessibility can contact info@kentuckysteam.org before booking
SOLD OUT
Be the Engineer
Get behind the throttle for a rare opportunity to operate the first steam engine to run in Kentucky since 2017. You'll get the chance to blow the whistle, run the engine and shovel coal in the firebox, under the direction of seasoned railroad professionals. One hour includes instruction, throttle time and safety briefing. Extremely limited tickets
10am-4pm, Sunday Sept 12, 2021.
Ages 15+ only
Please note: accessibility to the locomotive will be through a step ladder or similar device. Riders will be required to wear eye protection. Those with questions about accessibility can contact info@kentuckysteam.org before booking
SOLD OUT
Behind The Scenes Breakfast
Learn how a steam engine is fired up for a day of work, and get hands-on with the whole process. Also get an in-depth look with our steam expert Jason Sobczynski at what's in store with the restoration of C&O 2716, the engine that started our whole organization. Attendees will receive a continental style breakfast and will get up close and personal with a variety of railroad equipment. 2 hours.
9am, Sunday September 12th, 2021
Ages 8 and up*
Please note: accessibility to the locomotive will be through a step ladder or similar device. Riders will be required to wear eye protection. Those with questions about accessibility can contact info@kentuckysteam.org before booking
SOLD OUT
*if accompanied by an adult
1-833-KY STEAM (1-833-597-8326)
EXTENSION 802
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