Events
Santa Express
November 25 and December 2, 2023
Limited quantities!
2023 Santa Express
Join us for our annual Christmas event, now featuring a special train ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus! 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. All proceeds go toward the restoration of our facility and C&O 2716.
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!
Diesel Photo Charter
Saturday, January 27th, 2024
NW 6162 Photo Charter
Join us on Saturday, January 27th, 2024 for a very special diesel photo charter involving two of Kentucky Steam’s diesel locomotives wearing livery from the 1970s / early 1980s. Activities will include both morning and evening photo shoots and the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes tour of our grounds, including our active locomotive restoration shop, railroad museum, and developing tourism campus.
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A luncheon will also be included and will feature photo presentations by renowned Kentucky rail photographer Emmett Bell.
The charter will be run by KSHC volunteers and former Norfolk Southern corporate photographer Casey Thomason. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, October 26th, and will be extremely limited.
PAST EVENTS
3rd annual whistle blow
October 7, 2023
Attend for free!
Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation is proud to announce our Third Annual Whistle Blow presented by
the Railroadiana Collectors Association Inc.
For the first time, this will be a stand-alone event and is the only announced whistle blow open to the public in the entire country this year! This family-friendly
event will feature train rides, inflatables for kids, craft beer provided by Country Boy Brewing, and local food. This event is free for the public to attend thanks to our sponsors.
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The whistle blow will occur from 3:30 - 9 pm on October 7, 2023. Paid train rides will also be available from 12:30 - 3pm. Purchase tickets below!
Thank you to our sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: The Railroadiana Collectors Association Inc.
Six Chime Sponsor: People’s Exchange Bank
Five Chime Sponsor: Codell Construction, Scale Trains, Rail & Road Auctions
Three Chime Sponsor: Dirk Soulis Auctions, Bo & Brynda Brown, The Harpole Family
Beer Sponsor: Country Boy Brewing
Bring Your Own Whistle
Collectors of railroad memorabilia have a rare opportunity to hear their whistle operating on steam power!
To ensure a seamless experience, we kindly ask guests, if possible, to pre-adapt their steam whistles to a 2-inch NPT fitting. This will allow us to accommodate a standardized setup and ensure everyone can participate without any hiccups. However, if you are unable to adapt your whistle in advance, don't worry! Our friendly staff will be on hand to assist you during the event.
First 2 whistles:
$50
Each additional:
$25
Steam Train Rides
Before the whistles start ringing out, we will offer limited opportunities for rides behind Jeddo Coal #85. Riders can choose between riding in the locomotive, a standard coach ticket, or a trip in our restored C&O caboose.
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Ride times: 12:30 - 3 PM, October 7th 2023
$50
Coach Ticket
Locomotive Ticket
(Ages 8+ only)
Caboose Ticket
$25
$15
Children two and under will not require a ticket; all passengers three and over will require a ticket
Be the Engineer
Get behind the throttle for a rare opportunity to operate a real steam locomotive. 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. Participants will experience time both as the engineer and fireman. Extremely limited tickets.​
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8 am - 12 pm, Saturday October 7th, 2023
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Pricing: $300 per person
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 and close-toed shoes. Those with questions about accessibility can contact info@kentuckysteam.org before booking.
Ravenna Railroad Festival
September 9-10, 2023
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.
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8:30 am Saturday, September 9th, 2023
$100 per person. For 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
Limited quantities!
*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.
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Rides run on Saturday, September 9th, and Sunday, September 10th, 2023 only! Rides last about 25 minutes. Buy tickets now and save $5!
Coach Ticket
$10
Children two and under will not require a ticket; all passenger three 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.
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Rides run on Saturday, September 9th, and Sunday, September 10th, 2023 only! Rides last about 25 minutes. Buy tickets now and save $5!
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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 three 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. Rides last about 25 minutes. Buy tickets now and save $5!
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10am-6pm, Saturday Sept 9th, and Sunday, Sept 10th 2023
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
Be the Engineer
Get behind the throttle for a rare opportunity to operate a real steam locomotive. 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. Participants will experience time both as the engineer and fireman. Extremely limited tickets.​
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8 am - 11 am, Sunday September 10, 2023
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Pricing: $300 per person
Ages 15+ only
Limited quantities!
Please note: accessibility to the locomotive will be through a step ladder or similar device. Riders will be required to wear eye protection and close-toed shoes. Those with questions about accessibility can contact info@kentuckysteam.org before booking.
Horns in the holler - train horn event
SAT May 20, 2023
Visit our Facebook Event Page
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.
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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.
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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 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)
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Saturday, April 8th: 10am, 11a,. 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm.
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.
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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
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!
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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.
1-833-KY STEAM (1-833-597-8326)
EXTENSION 802
Don't feel comfortable donating online? We get it! You can donate by calling our toll-free number and either speak with our operator or leave a message and we will call you back!
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Have a Donation, but want to keep it confidential? No Problem
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For in-kind contributions, email billing@kentuckysteam.org
For monetary donations, email info@kentuckysteam.org