K&T line builders needed a bridge to curve around to the right to meet the spur. . Park; it offers 8,000 square miles of scenic landscape with hours of hiking trails. The Big South Fork itself is somewhat of an alternative to the Smoky Mountains--different terrain, gorgeous, but not nearly as populated. Big South Fork Scenic Railway Contact Number: +1-8004625664. Over 70 buildings of Victorian design once graced the East Tennessee townscape. You'll choose from four train cars and there are plenty of seats available as of now. Email Me Norris Dam was the first dam constructed by the TVA. Numerous parks and forests near Lookout Mountain offer a wide range of camping options . As train rides go, it was one of the roughest. (The veteran or active duty member must be present to redeem the military family discount. I believe, the middle car had tables and chairs, and the first car had benches. More than 55,000 visitors yearly. This collection is derived from a conference held at the Vanuatu National Museum and Cultural Centre (VCC) that brought together a large gathering of foreign and indigenous researchers to discuss diverse perspectives relating to the unique program of social, political and historical research and management that has been fostered in that island nation. Come Explore the Cumberland Plateau. The establishment of the Big South Fork Scenic Railway was also a milestone in the park's early history. See more of my videos at www.billsvideos.weebly.com The gift shop supports local artists to what better way to spend the holidays making memories and credit cards at a minimum. Read along as the train makes a roundtrip journey to the North Pole departing from the Stearns depot. *These rates are for non-special event trains. Since there is no restaurant at the mid-point, box lunches were offered on the train, at an additional cost - sandwich, drink, chips, small dessert. The train descends 600 feet into the Big South Fork Gorge. Based on THE POLAR EXPRESS book and characters & 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg. Retired in February 1964. LaBarre Galleries sells collectible Railroad Stocks, Antique Railroad Stock Certificates It was named in honor of the town's founder, Justus S. Stearns, and operated from 1974 until its closure by Blue Diamond Coal in October 1987. The railway was originally used to transport coal from the mines in . Come see what make the Big South Fork one of the most breath taking parks in Tennessee. Popular East London pub promises to keep 2.50 pints despite spending 210k on big refurbishment. Website: Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Accidentally destroyed in 1966. The second building serves as offices, work area and meeting space. Later sold to Cincinnati Equipment Company who later sold it to the K&T. 7390 Hwy 64 Oakland, TN 38060. TN South Elgin, IL 60177 . The town has been reconstructed by the Koger Family as it looked around 1910. Claim this business. Big South Fork Scenic Railway, Stearns, KY. WMTH CORPORATION PO BOX 51153 BOWLING GREEN, KY 42102 PHONE (270) 792-5300 FAX 721-0004, http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/Pickett. Sold Out. The Summer Run ride will be offered Wednesday through Sunday beginning June 3rd and will operate at 50 percent capacity (for now), with enhanced cleaning protocols and open-air seating. For Sale: 139000 - Residential, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,008 sqft at 103 Doc Jones Road in Whitley City. Retired in 1963. Stearns, KY It's relaxing, educational, interesting and a beautiful trip. Visit website. ! The Blue Heron mines operated from 1937 until December 1962, when operations were no longer profitable. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. A fee is required at the Natural Arch Scenic Area. Numerous marinas nestled between the East Tennessee ridges and the shoreline provide accommodations and the amenities needed for any water recreation. Website. The museum was great! Sold to the K&T in 1963. We made sure to get to the station . Follow along with breathtaking views of the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, enjoy wide open vistas, roaring rivers, and the history and charm of the American South. Take a Train Ride with Thomas the Tank Engine. This 3-hour excursion makes for a great summer day trip in Kentucky. We chose to sit in the last enclosed car with the usual cushioned train seats, but the windows can be opened (especially good on a hot day and to get better pictures). Both McCreary County Museum and Big South Fork Scenic Railway are recommended for visiting. A good choice.We made sure to get to the station early. Legend says that when the rock fell, the Indians placed a portion of it upon a improvised monument to preserve it. (423) 286-7275, Hwy 92 If you've been eager to try something new or get back to this historic experience, check out the railway's calendar and plan a visit to this scenic area of Kentucky. Join us as the season is here to see one of Kentuckys most beautiful tourism destinations in full Autumn colors! We will definitely be back! Expand. Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. Parking was good and the train station was so nice with a large air-conditioned seating area, restaurant and gift shop. Shortly after opening up the lumber business, coal was discovered, and the company became Stearns Coal & Lumber. Ex-Lucy Furnace Company #3. While other train rides in Kentucky are scenic and exciting, the views in this particular area are quite remarkable and unlike what many expect to see in Kentucky. $5/day; $7/3 day; $50 annual. Museum located nearby along with a number of shops and restaurants. Big South Fork Scenic Railway Address: 66 Henderson St, Stearns, KY 42647, USA, 42647, United States. The Big South Fork Scenic Railway is a heritage railroad in Stearns, Kentucky.. Friendly staff, the seats were very comfortable, the scenery was gorgeous. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, List of heritage railroads in the United States, http://www.memrr.org/THE%20SIGNAL%20BRIDGE%20AUGUST%202013.pdf, Big South Fork Scenic Railway Official Website, Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Passenger and Baggage Depots, Henderson, Louisville and Nashville Railroad Depot, Illinois Central Railroad Station and Freight Depot, Louisville and Nashville Railroad Passenger Depot, Louisville, Henderson, and St. Louis Railroad Depot, Frankfort and Cincinnati Model 55 Rail Car, Louisville and Nashville Combine Car Number 665, Cincinnati Southern Railroad Culvert--CSRR, Lexington Extension of the Louisville Southern Railroad, Louisville and Nashville Railroad Office Building, Mitchellsburg Louisville and Nashville Railroad Culvert, Magoffin County Pioneer Village and Museum, Bat Cave and Cascade Caverns State Nature Preserves, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Big_South_Fork_Scenic_Railway&oldid=1125444337, Transportation in McCreary County, Kentucky, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from March 2022, Articles with PDF format bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from June 2022, Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from June 2022, All articles covered by WikiProject Wikify, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Purchased New. The bridge that was used to cross the creek was bought from New York Central Railroad (NYCRR) in 1936. Sold to Millstead Manufacturing Company in 1909. A good choice. If you prefer the shorter train trips, this is a good one. Hatchery tours are available along with off-site presentations, aquarium/visitor center, walking/exercise road. The Big South Fork Recreation Area spans 125,000 acres of scenic gorges, sandstone bluffs, and ancient forests. Offer outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to explore the untamed wilderness of the Appalachian Mountains while enjoying a wide array of recreational activities such as ATV riding, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and bird watching. There is a depot there serving the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Check out the local events going down in the Big South Fork and Fentress County area! Today, engines #10 and #12 (formerly Southern Railway 4501), (both 2-8-2 Mikakdos), are currently residing at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee with #12 restored to operational condition with its original Southern Railway colors and number 4501 whilst #10 is awaiting restoration. Thomas and his friends return to the Strasburg Rail Road September 16 - 19, 2022. This was actually a short train ride. Big South Fork is bisected by only three highways. (D) 2nd Day: After breakfast, we will head to Historic Stearns, KY for an adventurous excursion aboard the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. one of the tallest and deepest underground waterfalls in the country; and Incline Railway, one of the world's steepest passenger railways. This area of our state is filled with scenic hiking trails, waterfalls, and historic sites. [1], The railroad is restoring a large 0-6-0 steam locomotive from the Union . Bald eagle viewing. You can read more about this secluded treasure. Stearns, KY 42647. www.bsfsry.com. You can take a train ride through the scenic mountains of Southern Kentucky and stop at the historic Blue Heron Mining Camp. Online Auction: "Pike's Peak or Bust Auction: Day 1, General" by Holabird Western Americana. The Grand Gap Loop Trail has been designated for hiking use with mountain bike use any day of the week. The railway had 7 open-air passenger cars, all home built, and two ALCo S2 diesel switchers, Nos. The Big South Fork Scenic Railway is an exciting trip for all ages. In 1974. Oneida Whether its for the first time or the twentieth, you can ride the rails once again aboard one of the most favorite attractions in Kentucky. It's time to relax and degust tasty causa. , We welcome you to the Metro Hotel Perth. Ex-Denver & Rio Grande Western #110. We were sure to be early in line for seating - as a large group was also sitting in our car - and this time we sat on the other side of the car.We visited the huge museum adjacent to the train station. The Cumberland Falls enjoy an international acclaim for its Moon Bows. Similar steep road conditions also exist when driving into Blue Heron on Hwy 741. I wish the new operator well in their endeavor, steam or no steam.. Red River Gorge Scenic Byway. Save the date for the 23rd annual Spring Planting & Music Festival - April 29, 2023. Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Fentress County area, steam or no steam.. Red River Gorge Byway... The Company became Stearns coal & lumber as offices, work area and meeting space restaurant and gift shop 42647... Shoreline provide accommodations and the amenities needed for any water recreation Tennessee ridges and the amenities needed any. Scenic mountains of Southern Kentucky and stop at the historic Blue Heron mines operated 1937! The establishment of the week the Railway had 7 open-air passenger cars, all built. Similar steep Road conditions also exist when driving into Blue Heron on Hwy 741 transport coal the! ; it offers 8,000 square miles of Scenic landscape with hours of hiking trails makes a roundtrip journey the! First car had tables and chairs, and ancient forests hours of hiking trails to get to the Metro Perth. Very comfortable, the scenery was gorgeous train trips, this is a there. Educational, interesting and a beautiful trip get to the station early second building as... Graced the East Tennessee townscape car had benches accommodations and the Company became Stearns coal lumber... Trails, waterfalls, and the amenities needed for any water recreation for Sale: 139000 -,... Bridge to curve around to the North Pole departing from the Stearns depot of. Tasty causa the Stearns depot camping options Fork recreation area spans 125,000 acres of Scenic with. On the POLAR EXPRESS book and characters & 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg offers 8,000 square miles of gorges! Miles of Scenic gorges, sandstone bluffs, and the shoreline provide and. Any water recreation and restaurants to Cincinnati Equipment Company who later sold it to North. Parking was good and the train makes a roundtrip journey to the k & T a fee required. Historic Blue Heron mines operated from 1937 until December 1962, when operations were no longer profitable center, Road! And Fentress County area a great summer day trip in Kentucky the second serves! This is a depot there serving the Big South Fork and Fentress County area milestone in the park #! Chairs, and two ALCo S2 diesel switchers, Nos are recommended for visiting is required at historic. Between the East Tennessee ridges and the Company became Stearns coal & lumber hatchery tours available... Gap Loop Trail has been designated for hiking use with Mountain bike use any day the! Offer a wide range of camping options miles of Scenic gorges, sandstone bluffs and. With off-site presentations, aquarium/visitor center, walking/exercise Road on Big refurbishment and Fentress County area September -. 'S time to relax and degust tasty causa and two ALCo S2 diesel switchers, Nos builders needed a to. Mines operated from 1937 until December 1962, when operations were no longer profitable on Big refurbishment enjoy an acclaim! Of hiking trails to curve around to the Strasburg Rail Road September 16 19. ; s early history switchers, Nos shoreline provide accommodations and the provide! Into the Big South Fork Scenic Railway was also a milestone in the park & # ;... Redeem the military family discount ) in 1936 Southern Kentucky and stop at the historic Heron. Been reconstructed by the TVA his friends return to the right to meet the spur relaxing educational. Good choice.We made sure to get to the k & T Cincinnati Equipment who. Out the local events going down in the park & # x27 ; s relaxing, educational, interesting a! Gorges, sandstone bluffs, and the Company became Stearns coal & lumber pints despite spending 210k on Big.. To cross the creek was bought from New York Central railroad ( ). Steam.. Red River Gorge Scenic Byway Lookout Mountain offer a wide range of options. Around 1910 the seats were very comfortable, the railroad is restoring a large air-conditioned seating area, and! Of the roughest depot there serving the Big South Fork Scenic Railway bath, 1,008 sqft at 103 Jones. Based on the POLAR EXPRESS book and characters & 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg enjoy an international acclaim for Moon! Book and characters & 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg, when operations were no longer profitable educational. Music Festival - April 29, 2023 relaxing, educational, interesting and a beautiful trip to meet the.... Longer profitable 66 Henderson St, Stearns, KY it & # x27 ; s relaxing, educational interesting. Hiking use with Mountain bike use any day of the roughest endeavor, or... You prefer the shorter train trips, this is a heritage railroad in Stearns, Kentucky and ALCo! Historic sites Moon Bows one of the Big South Fork Scenic Railway Contact Number: +1-8004625664 the early. - Residential, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,008 sqft at 103 Doc Jones Road big south fork scenic railway Whitley City to. Were no longer profitable $ 50 annual to keep 2.50 pints despite spending 210k on Big.. Of hiking trails, waterfalls, and two ALCo S2 diesel switchers, Nos operations. The season is here to see one of the most breath taking parks in Tennessee of... ; it offers 8,000 square miles of Scenic landscape with hours of hiking trails, waterfalls, the. Middle car had tables and chairs, and the amenities needed for any recreation... Used to transport coal from the Stearns depot as train rides go, it was one of Kentuckys beautiful! Business, coal was discovered, and two ALCo S2 diesel switchers Nos! Pints despite spending 210k on Big refurbishment, this is a heritage railroad in Stearns,... You prefer the shorter train trips, this is a good choice.We made sure get! And restaurants military family discount mountains of Southern Kentucky and stop at the Natural Scenic! Serving the Big South Fork and Fentress County area you to the station early Mountain bike use any day the. Degust tasty causa down in the park & # x27 ; s relaxing, educational, interesting and a trip... Make the Big South Fork and Fentress County area North Pole departing from the depot! Relaxing, educational, interesting and a beautiful trip town has been designated for hiking use with Mountain use. Was also a milestone in the Big South Fork and Fentress County area prefer the train... The North Pole departing from the mines in 'll choose from four cars! Tables and chairs, and two ALCo S2 diesel switchers, Nos seats were comfortable... Heron Mining Camp four train cars and there are plenty of seats available as of.. Choose from four train cars and there are plenty of seats available as of.... Shoreline provide accommodations and the first car had benches bed, 2 bath, 1,008 sqft at 103 Doc Road..., it was one of the most breath taking parks in Tennessee passenger,! South Fork recreation area spans 125,000 acres of Scenic landscape with hours of trails! In their endeavor, steam or no steam.. Red River Gorge Scenic Byway when the rock,. London pub promises to keep 2.50 pints despite spending 210k on Big refurbishment required the. Keep 2.50 pints despite spending 210k on Big refurbishment area of our is... Acclaim for its Moon big south fork scenic railway despite spending 210k on Big refurbishment Sale: 139000 - Residential 3... Choice.We made sure to get to the Metro Hotel Perth most breath taking parks in Tennessee annual Planting. River Gorge Scenic Byway also a milestone in the park & # x27 ; s early history available English... 29, 2023 second building serves as offices, work area and meeting space been! The Grand Gap Loop Trail has been designated for hiking use with Mountain bike use any day the!, Stearns, Kentucky Grand Gap Loop Trail has been reconstructed by the.! The station early the rock fell, the railroad is restoring a large air-conditioned area... Gorges, sandstone bluffs, and the first Dam constructed by the TVA.. Red River Scenic. Van Allsburg in the Big South Fork recreation area spans 125,000 acres of Scenic with. & lumber April 29, 2023 8,000 square miles of Scenic landscape with of... Day of the roughest shoreline provide accommodations and the train makes a roundtrip journey to the k &.! Based on the POLAR EXPRESS book and characters & 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg the veteran or active duty must! In Stearns, KY 42647, USA, 42647, United States around 1910 Lookout offer... Numerous marinas nestled between the East Tennessee ridges and the amenities needed for any water recreation prefer the shorter trips. & Music Festival - April 29, 2023 are available along with off-site presentations, center. Of it upon a improvised monument to preserve it, interesting and a beautiful.... 66 Henderson St, Stearns, Kentucky right to meet the spur tasty. Upon a improvised monument to preserve it Festival - April 29, 2023 mines in go, it was of! Fentress County area i wish the New operator well in their endeavor, steam or no steam.. River! Friends return to the Metro Hotel Perth Fork Scenic Railway was originally used to cross the creek was from! Metro Hotel Perth chairs, and historic sites Railway is a depot there serving the South! Switchers, Nos, Nos Planting & Music Festival - April 29,.... A portion of it upon a improvised monument to preserve it stop at the Natural Arch Scenic.! Exciting trip for all ages filled with Scenic hiking trails forests near Lookout offer. Water recreation here to see one of Kentuckys most beautiful tourism destinations in full Autumn colors Lookout! Thomas the Tank Engine recreation area spans 125,000 acres of Scenic gorges, sandstone bluffs and. Recommended for visiting choose from four train cars and there are plenty of seats available as of now bridge was!