Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp.

10/16/2026

It’s been a bit since we updated you on the progress of our campus development. Here’s a quick flyover of the property from this morning.

Most of the rock piles covering the north end of the property have been relocated and used to cap the area south of the steam shop. This clears the large gravel area around The Yard amphitheater so it is once again accessible for event parking—none too soon, as the annual Mercy Health - Marcum and Wallace Hospital gala is happening on-site this weekend.

LG&E and KU and their contractors have completed work replacing multiple power poles to raise the power transmission wires crossing our property and the tail of the wye track. This ensures safe separation of the wires from equipment using the tail track and the newly developed areas around the south leg of the wye. We appreciate the cooperation and efforts of KU and its partners to ensure our property development was able to move forward safely and on schedule.

Track crews from R. J. Corman Railroad Group completed the initial assembly of tracks into the steam shop today. For the first time in decades, all three of the shop tracks are connected to the national rail network. Ballasting and surfacing will be completed on all three tracks in the coming weeks. The completion of these tracks is a major step forward in allowing the shop to be fully utilized for the restoration and operation of our historic equipment, like C&O 2716, L&N 5000, and soon two more cabooses, including L&N 6310.

We’re still fundraising for those moves to add them to our operations roster. You can donate to bring them to our campus at:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/kshc-caboose-projects-fundraiser?fbclid=IwdGRjcAU-TllleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAWZkaWQWUQZK4rDMBiZCbOFYC82RdNa5UJPZunNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7D5Ec0oJILwXn1WSx3hfoqgw0zSftUUk1bF8jvLvGjbEPqzyAfYYL0XhdPlw_aem_Q-4oH7gQXQHwMhzK7qv1ew

10/12/2026

Built in 1978 by Fruit Growers Express of Alexandria, Virginia, C-3961 was constructed as a Baltimore & Ohio C-27 Class caboose.

The caboose continued in service under CSX as CSXT 903961 and was later selected to receive CSX’s distinctive “Cross Tracks Safely” paint scheme. In the early 1990s, CSX refurbished selected former B&O C-26A and C-27A cabooses for continued use on portions of its system where cabooses were still required. These cars received the “Cross Tracks Safely” lettering along with Operation Lifesaver and Operation Redblock graphics.

As cabooses were gradually phased out of regular railroad service, CSXT 903961 found a new home with the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society, which preserved and displayed the caboose in a park in Huntington, West Virginia. In early 2026, the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society made the decision to donate CSXT 903961 to Kentucky Steam Heritage.

Kentucky Steam Heritage’s goal is to preserve CSXT 903961 in its as-built configuration and return it to active use as part of special event trains and educational programs on the Kentucky Steam Heritage campus. Preserving this caboose will ensure that future generations can experience an important piece of Appalachian and American railroad history.

Please consider donating today to help Kentucky Steam Heritage relocate and preserve this historic caboose. Your support will help us bring CSXT 903961 to its new home and continue our mission of preserving railroad history for generations to come.

Planning for the moves of this caboose and CSXT 900061 have progressed rapidly. Arrangements are in place to bring these cabooses to our campus in the very near future!!!

DONATE HERE:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/kshc-caboose-projects-fundraiser

Exterior photo courtesy of Dwight Jones.

10/05/2026

Help Bring Kevin Wood’s Caboose Home to Kentucky!!!

Before his untimely passing in December 2025, Kevin Wood reached out to Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation about donating his caboose, CSXT 900061 (SBD 16310, LN 6310). Kevin wanted to share his appreciation for the people of Kentucky, where he had fond memories of his time working at CSX’s Corbin, Ky Locomotive Shop. He also hoped to see his caboose return to its home rails on former Louisville & Nashville territory.

Kevin was known by many and was a friend to countless people throughout the railroad industry and rail preservation community. His railroad career began with the Stone Mountain Railroad in Georgia. He later became employed at CSX and became a locomotive maintenance instructor at CSX’s Tilford training facility, where he earned the nickname “Tilford Tech.” After his time with CSX, Kevin continued his craft of locomotive repair with other companies and the Great Walton Railroad.

Kevin also generously shared his knowledge and talents with organizations including the New Georgia Railroad, Southeastern Railway Museum, Southern Appalachia Railroad Museum, and more leaving his mark on the preservation community far beyond his professional railroading career.

Now, Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation is working to honor Kevin’s wishes by bringing CSXT 900061 from Social Circle, Georgia, to Irvine, Kentucky. We need your help to make that happen. Your donation will help cover the cost of transporting Kevin’s caboose home to Kentucky and preserving a piece of railroad history in his memory.

Please consider making a donation and helping us fulfill Kevin’s final wishes.

Donate here:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/kshc-caboose-projects-fundraiser

Help us bring Kevin’s caboose home.

Honor his memory. Preserve his legacy.

09/30/2026

Cabooses or cabeese? However you prefer saying it, that is what we have—almost. First, we need to address the matter of getting them to our property.

We have generously been donated two cabooses to help us not only present and preserve railroad history, but also become part of our revenue-generating fleet.

Our two existing cabooses are already major generators of revenue during events, and these additions will help us double that much-needed capacity.

Tickets for our train rides generate the general revenue necessary to fund everything from electric bills to the restoration of C&O 2716.

Your donation today will ensure both cabooses can be transported to our campus and quickly become an integral part of our operating consists.

Furthermore, your contribution will multiply in value over the years. These additions will provide more seats for ticketed passengers while preserving the cabooses themselves in operational condition.

Thanks to our associate volunteers for the current day and past in service photos.

Donation can be made at this link, a donation receipt is provided automatically.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/kshc-caboose-projects-fundraiser

09/21/2026

Here is a quick overview of another week’s worth of work on our campus.

Nearly all of the required removal of materials has been completed, much of it being used to expand our campus into a flatter, usable area once capped in its new location.

At the 1:20 mark, you can see the areas where the geo-fabric and fresh ballast cap are already being installed. For all who’ve asked what all those rock piles are for, this is it.

Once a contaminated area has been prepped, the geo-fabric is laid as a barrier between the existing materials and the clean, new rock or dirt. Once done, nearly all of our campus seen in the video will be on a singular, smooth grade, making the entire site accessible and usable for all manner of events and activities.

Check back soon—our campus is transforming quickly, and we can’t wait to share it with you through on-site events and train rides!

09/16/2026

A huge thanks to Joseph Malson for letting us share this photo for a special occasion! You may recognize our 6162 currently leased to the Cincinnati Eastern Railroad leading a consist past the old N&W CPLs on “The Peavine”, a former N&W line.

Would you like the chance to capture 6162 in its N&W scheme on former home rails before it gets a fresh coat of company colors?

If so we’ve got the event for you coming up soon on October 16, 2026! A private photo charter with chauffeured transportation, meals, day and night sessions included.

Casey Thomason (former NS company photographer) and Railfan and Railroad Magazine will be providing support and technical assistance for this event.

Click the link below for more details and to purchase your ticket.

This event is limited to 30 tickets, get yours before they’re gone!

Proceeds will benefit ongoing restoration and repair efforts of Kentucky Steam equipment.

Reserve your spot here:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/nandw-6162-peavine-photo-charter

09/14/2026

We had a fantastic and productive weekend on several fronts!

An amazing amount of work was completed on our site remediation. Our campus is quickly transforming from overgrowth and rock piles into a clean, level, and safe place for our visitors to enjoy and explore. Geo-fabric and capping with clean materials will occur soon. C&O 2716 and all of our historic railroad equipment will have a wonderful place for visitors to enjoy and interact with for decades to come once this work is completed.

Clearing of the shop to allow for full access and re-evaluation of 2716 is occurring, and we managed to see all of 2716 in a single frame for the first time in quite a while. With a large amount of funding allocated to 2716 forthcoming from the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program grant we received in 2023, work on 2716 will be able to make significant progress soon. Re-evaluating the locomotive for its current condition and operational opportunities will allow for the available funds to go further and address the most immediate needs toward operation.

Our EMD SW1500 (built as L&N 5000 and donated to us by CSX) is also in the shop awaiting arrival of needed parts to return it to service. It’s getting spiffed up a bit too while not able to be in service. We’re hopeful the rebuilt oil/water cooler arrives soon.

Our operable motorcar fleet doubled in the last week. In addition to our Southern Fairmont M-19 that has already operated at our events, volunteers have our L&N A-3 Fairmont back in operation. This motorcar is locally significant as it was assigned to the EK Subdivision our campus was part of. It was donated by the family of Jessie Henderson in his memory shortly after we acquired our campus, and was returned to operable condition by Tim Estes.

In addition to work on our campus and in our shops, several members staffed our booth at the Ravenna Railroad Festival. With all of our ongoing construction the Festival moved back to its original location at the Veterans Memorial Park in Ravenna. We look forward to hosting the annual event again at The Yard as we complete significant upgrades to our grounds.

Much more to come. Make sure to follow our page so you don’t miss future updates and information on upcoming events!

09/08/2026

We’re happy to be hosting the landing location for a Patriot Day Parade through Irvine and Ravenna. Once the parade arrives on our property at 499 Kirkland Ave. feel free to hang out, celebrate and remember. The Yard, our amphitheater area will provide plenty of parking, lawn space and recorded music to fill the evening.

We have no vendors scheduled at this event, so feel free to bring chair, canopies, food and beverage for yourself.

For questions about parade participation please contact the Millers Creek Fire Dept. whose page we have shared this event from.

Better late than never!!!

This parade and event has been made possible by the following

Kentucky Steam Heritage
Murphy’s Truck and Auto repair
Millers Creek Fire Rescue

If you have any questions please reach out

Please Share!!!

06/03/2026

Another live music line-up is coming to The Yard this month and we couldn't be more excited!

Have you saved the date yet?

We've got another great lineup coming to The Yard on June 27th, with a bonus 2 hours of live music to offer this round. Live music will kick off at 3PM this date as we pump our sweet sounds a bit earlier to go along with the Stars, Stripes, & Steam event happening alongside our Rhythm in the Railyard Music Series.

$15 will get you access to all of the live music coming from the Hardy Pavilion while you can also enjoy several other family-friendly activities on-site. Check out the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. page for full event details beyond the live music. The music series is a rain-or-shine event. Lawn chairs and portable tents are welcome and encouraged for your comfort at the event.

We will once again have Lib's Smoke Shack providing delicious food and soft drinks. Spud Sisters will be assisting with your hunger, too. Kentucky Mountain Moonshine will be back with more spirited beverages. Lemonade Lane will squeeze out plenty more fruity refreshment as well!

No outside food or drink! Please support our amazing local vendors who support our events.

We hope to see you here!

TIME:
3-10PM

ADDRESS:
499 Kirkland Ave. Irvine, KY 40336

ENTRY FEES:
• $15 cover for music and Stars, Stripes, & Steam activities.
• $10 at the gate starting at 5PM for music only at The Yard amphitheater.

Rhythm in the Railyard would not be possible without our generous sponsors as well:

• PBT Bancorp
• Mercy Health - Marcum and Wallace Hospital
• El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant
• Estill County Chiropractic
• ProGen Restoration
• Lewis Funeral Home of Irvine
• Fauste Oil Services Inc
• Irvine Online
• K&D Mowing
• A&A Sanitation of Richmond, KY
• Estill County Rescue Squad with logistical support.
• Twilight till Dawn Music Management production support.
• Chelsea Nolan (event artwork)

05/30/2026

Our people are the ones who make volunteering a special experience. Join our crew today by becoming a member! There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer this summer, whether on C&O 2716, during concerts at The Yard, or even aboard our annual Santa Express train ride. Click here to learn more: https://www.kentuckysteam.org/membership