Where Kentucky's Railroad History Comes Alive
Ride the Rails
Relive the History
501(c)(3) CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION · EST. 1976
Donate Now
The Bluegrass Railroad Museum includes 6 miles of track and a fleet of historic locomotives, passenger cars, and cabooses — many more than 100 years old. We cannot preserve this unique piece of Kentucky history on ticket sales alone.
WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
A Living Railroad that
Runs on Generosity
The Bluegrass Railroad Museum is more than a collection of old equipment — it is a living, operating railroad. Every Saturday from April through December, our all-volunteer crew fires up the locomotives, boards passengers at Versailles, and runs excursion trains 5.5 miles to the Kentucky River and back.
Keeping that operation alive — maintaining track, restoring century-old equipment, running educational programs, and welcoming over 2,000 students each year — requires far more than ticket sales can cover. We rely heavily on the generous support of our friends and benefactors.
YOUR GENEROUSITY AT WORK
Every Donation Directly Supports
Every dollar donated goes back into preservation, restoration, education, and operations — ensuring this unique piece of Kentucky railroad heritage keeps rolling for generations to come.
✔ Historic Equipment
Fund the hands-on restoration of locomotives, passenger coaches, cabooses, and freight cars — many over 100 years old.
✔ Preserve Railroad Artifacts
Protect and conserve the museum's growing collection of railroad memorabilia, documents, photographs, and operational equipment.
✔ Preserve Railroad Artifacts
Protect and conserve the museum's growing collection of railroad memorabilia, documents, photographs, and operational equipment.
✔ Maintain Infrastructure
Keep 6 miles of track, bridges, and railroad right-of-way in safe operating condition for passengers and crew.
✔ Expand Educational Programs
Bring more than 2,000 students each year to the museum for curriculum-aligned field trips, scout programs, and interactive exhibits.
✔ Enhance Visitor Experiences
Improve facilities, signage, accessibility, and the overall quality of the experience for every passenger who boards our trains.
Bluegrass Railroad Museum Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. A tax receipt will be provided for every donation. Please consult your tax advisor or the IRS for guidance on charitable deductions.
WAYS TO VOLUNTEER
Donate Today and Help Preserve Railroad Heritage
Train crew is just one way to get involved. The museum runs entirely on volunteer effort — and there's meaningful work for every skill set and schedule.
6
Miles of Operating Track
Six miles of active Louisville Southern right-of-way — maintained entirely by volunteers to federal railroad safety standards. Every spike, tie, and rail section is inspected before every operating season.
40+
Pieces of Historic Equipment
From first-generation diesel locomotives to 1920s Pullman coaches, WWII Army boxcars, and bay-window cabooses — our collection spans more than a century of American railroad history, all kept operational or on display.
100%
Volunteer Operated
Every engineer, conductor, brakeman, guide, and gift shop attendant is an unpaid volunteer who gives their weekends to keep this railroad alive. Your donation directly supports the people who make it run.
2,000+
Students Annually
More than 2,000 students board our trains each year through curriculum-aligned field trips, scout programs, and educational visits — many experiencing a real railroad for the very first time.