Big South Fork Scenic Railway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Big South Fork Scenic Railway
Info
Locale	McCreary County, Kentucky, US
Transit type	Heritage railway
Number of stations	2
Headquarters	Stearns, Kentucky
Website	bsfsry.com
Technical
System length	16.0 mi (25.7 km)
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge)

The Big South Fork Scenic Railway is a special train ride in Stearns, Kentucky. It's called a heritage railway because it uses old tracks and trains to show what travel was like in the past.

This exciting train journey covers 16 miles (26 km) through beautiful nature. You'll see the amazing Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

One of the best stops is the historic coal mining town of Blue Heron, Kentucky. You can explore this old town and learn about its history. There's also a gift shop, a snack bar, and hiking trails to enjoy.

The railway uses diesel locomotives for its trips today. They are also working to fix up a large steam locomotive from 1944, bringing a piece of history back to life!

Right next to the railway, you can visit the McCreary County Museum. Your train ticket often includes admission. The museum shows what life was like in Kentucky's coal towns many years ago.

The Story of the Big South Fork Scenic Railway

The train tracks used by the Big South Fork Scenic Railway have a long history. They were first built in 1901 by the Stearns Coal & Lumber Company.

At first, the company needed to move wood from the Daniel Boone National Forest. So, they built the Kentucky & Tennessee Railroad. Soon after, coal was found, and the company became Stearns Coal & Lumber. The first coal mine opened in 1902.

In 1904, the railroad changed its name to the Kentucky & Tennessee Railway Company. This helped them get money to build more tracks. They extended the line to several towns, reaching close to the Kentucky/Tennessee state line.

The Blue Heron Bridge

In 1937, a new mining camp called Blue Heron Mining Camp opened. The K&T Railway built a one-mile track to reach it. This track crossed a creek using a special bridge.

The bridge was bought from the New York Central Railroad in 1936. It was a steel trestle found in New York. The builders needed the bridge to curve a certain way, so they installed it upside down! This clever solution worked, and the bridge is still used today to carry passengers.

Changes Over Time

The K&T Railway once had big plans to connect with other major train lines. They hoped to link up with the Tennessee Central Railroad and even use tracks from the Southern Railway. However, these plans didn't work out.

In 1963, the railway bought four new diesel locomotives. This meant their old steam locomotives were retired in 1964. Some of these old steam engines, like numbers 10 and 12, are now at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Engine #12, which was once Southern Railway #4501, is now running again!

The Big South Fork Scenic Railway officially started carrying tourists on July 1, 1982. It began with seven open-air passenger cars and two diesel locomotives.

Today, the Big South Fork Scenic Railway is a popular attraction. It brings joy to tourists and train fans alike. Many people say it's a wonderful trip back in time, with amazing scenery and friendly people.

Locomotives of the Past

Many different locomotives have run on the Kentucky & Tennessee Railway over the years. Here's a look at some of them:

See also

• List of heritage railroads in the United States