Stroll through Bowling Green’s two-story Historic Railpark and Train Museum. Follow your guide through the golden era of railroading as you discover five train cars dating back to 1911.

 

EXPERIENCE:

Your experience begins as you pass by five historic train cars to enter the museum through the gift shop. Inside the gift shop, staff and tour guides will be waiting to tell you about the day’s tour schedule and assist with anything you may need. The gift shop offers all kinds of train memorabilia, toy trains, puzzles, and anything else a train fan could want, as well as themed activities. 

The museum has something for all ages. Vintage equipment and artifacts will stoke the memories of those old enough to have experienced this bygone era in the United States’ transportation past. Children will be both entertained and educated by informative, interactive displays. Hear from a real L&N Cook, Pullman Porter, and Conductor. See what life was like for these employees as well as for the travelers. 

Stroll through the museum at your own pace until it’s time for your guided tour. Your guide will meet you on the first floor of the museum on the same wooden benches used for passengers in the depot since 1925. As you sit inside, hear about the history of the Louisville and Nashville railroad and more. In the next portion of your tour, you’ll get to board the train cars, starting in an E8 diesel-electric locomotive.

Then you’ll move into the Railway Post Office, or RPO car. Next have a seat in the Duncan Hines Dining Car, and find out what meals were like for those eating, cooking, and serving on the trains. See what it was like to travel in first, second, and third class aboard the Towering Pine Sleeper Car. The last stop on your tour is the L&N Presidential Car, the oldest surviving passenger car from the L&N Railroad.

 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Visit the landmark Train Depot built in 1925 and learn how the original depot influenced the city in the Civil War
Hear stories of the railways and the people involved from knowledgable guides
See how mail was delivered by train for nearly 150 years aboard the Railway Post Office
Witness the luxury of the L&N presidential train car, built in 1911

 

 

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