Big South Fork Scenic Railway

Penny Norman

2024-01

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Tj Cernetic

2023-11

So, we had a nice time in this little jaunt. The whole thing is a little hokey, but entertaining in its own way. The train ride is short and slow, but the scenery was really pretty. The time at the old mining camp was a bit disappointing. Lots of roped off areas and locked doors. The prices for lunch and the mine tour were a bit high for us, so we skipped it and did our own exploring and brought our own lunch. All the staff were very friendly and nice. I think our favorite was sitting in an old coal car and eating our lunch from the top deck of one of the buildings. It was peaceful, and the view was nice. It was a nice diversion for a sunny fall afternoon. 😎 Even our teen said it was "okay."

djdiii 04

2023-10

This was an amazing experience for families young and old. The actual railroad ride itself was very noisy and you could barely hear the narrator over the train but, it's a train, what can you do. Kids loved the ride and I myself loved the sights and tunnel. It takes you to an old mining town where you can and should take a tour of a coal mine where you can see how people mined it and what could happen while doing so. Along the train tracks after you stop there is a general store with items from that time on display and an old schoolhouse/church. Truly a unforgettable experience!

Scott Sanderson

2023-10

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Lesia Holt

2024-05

Was very disappointed 😞, did not get my train ride...they canceled it about 1 hr before boarding...said the engine wasn't working and they didn't have another one. They said would could come back next week...I don't live anywhere close...like 3 hrs away! I will get my $80 back they said in 3-5 business days....funny how it didn't take that long for it to come out!! Gave 1 star because we ate at the whistle stop restaurant and it was good!

Carey Morris (GeekPreach)

2023-08

Many years ago we went on this train ride and it was so enjoyable! It stopped in Blue Heron at an old mining town. The town had many exhibits with recordings of the people who lived there telling stories about what it was like when the mines were active. I remember live Bluegrass music at the depot. It was a really nice experience.When I asked about the changes, it was explained that the train can no longer access Blue Heron due to fallen rocks. Therefore, the train now stops at a much smaller mining town that, in the past, the train just passed through. This town barely has enough interest to keep you busy for the two hour layover. It isn't really a guided tour. As a matter of fact, our "guide" gathered our group together after stepping off the train; briefly told us what was around us and up ahead on the tracks and then drove away on a golf cart.To fill the two hour layover, you might want to pay extra for the mine tour. I will say it was interesting, but not to the tune of $20/person.Don't get me wrong, I love a good train ride, but don't ruin it with a pitstop that has no real value. Maybe my expectations were set too high from my first visit, but in my opinion, it would be worth it to get those tracks cleared to Blue Heron or include the mine tour in the overall price.BTW, you can still go to Blue Heron Mining Community by car if you're interested.

Adam Wilson

2023-09

Amazing history and a chilling experience to see how our ancestors lived and worked. Beautiful scenery and will be back when the tracks are open all the way to Blue Heron mine again. My mother thoroughly enjoyed as well. Yes the p.a. system on the train could use work, but that will come. Have some patience folks. Highly recommend! Say hello to Beth in the gift shop, Wilma on the train and Richard in the mine.Adam Wilson

Nikki Sirback

2022-05

Fantastic place to visit, very polite people, we had a great time. The staff was friendly. It was a great value. The gift shop was a bit pricey, but everything was hand made and authentic. Worth the extra money if you have it to spend. The minors lunch was delicious and came in a adorable cooler bag. The train was a little scary going backwards but fun. Everybody had a great time. Thank you it was beautiful, we ran out of time to go through the museum which was free with the train tickets but we will definitely be back.

Tiffany Vessey

2024-01

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Sheila

2023-05

What a great adventure. The tour guide explained everything, was very detailed and had a great sense of humor. Was a perfect day for a train ride. They stressed the warnings of safety. Just wish there was a little more to do once we were at the stop.

Greg Kershner

2024-04

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Allison Patterson

2023-12

We went on this for the Polar Express and it was a great time! They have people in the cars dancing along to the music, hand out hot cocoa & cookies and Santa comes along to hand out the first gift of Christmas! The kids had the best time - dress warm and I recommend going when you can see the scenery because it really is beautiful! I would absolutely recommend this!Also, there is a restaurant on site called the Whistle Stop and they did a great job!

Obirobkinobi Rob Purvis

2022-05

When I was growing up there was a train that ran through our town, but in the late 80's / early 90's the train no longer ran and the tracks were taken out. Watching the train, made me want to ride one and I finally got the chance.The ride is not a long one but it boasts some beautiful scenery. The end of the line is a two hour layover at a preserved mining camp. They offer tours of the mine and tours of the camp. The camp offers a restaurant and bathroom facilities along with other points of interest.

Bernice Todd

2023-08

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Cheshire Cat

2023-05

We had a great time on our trip, but couldn't hear the guides words over the train noises.The mining town trip is alot of walking with hills and steps. It was very kid and pet friendly.The museum has alot of cool finds like the different coal town coins.

Mark McQuade

2023-05

The fall color run wan an awesome experience that we will definitely take part in again, you do spend a little too much time at the camp but there is a polar express run in the winter we want to take our kids on.

Terrence Dixon

2023-05

The train ride is enjoyable and the area is picturesque. It felt like a trip through time when we arrived at the excursion point of Barthell, KY. The town is a long abandoned mining town. We did not sign up for the tour of the mine that is available but did enjoy photographing the area during the two hour lay over. A portion of the track is washed out past the mining town and has been for a while. The additional track time will be a welcome addition to the experience.

cynthia baker

2023-12

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Manfred Schreyer

2022-05

30 min train ride to about and hr long mine tour. Grab the coal miner's lunch before you leave on the train ride and then enjoy it by the creek once you're there. Staff was very knowledgeable and passionate about the history. There is even plenty of time to explore around the train locomotive!

Teri D

2022-05

It was a sweet adventure for the kiddos. The participant characters were genuinely involved with their passengers. I would have liked to have seen the North Pole be more of a presentation, however Santa did board the train and hand out the bells. It was nice that the cocoa was good, the cookies were quality and the bells were of good quality, so all in all, it was a sweet experience.

TNgirl

2020-05

Really interesting to learn about the coal mines and their history. We had fun and I would recommend it to everyone. *They had a landslide that covered the tracks so we didn’t go to the actual mine. They don’t tell you this on their website, that I seen. Call ahead because we were told it would be several months before they’re able to go the full trip of 1 hour and a half. Family friendly!

Cheyenne Abbott

2023-12

We had a fantastic time riding the Polar Express! The train ride was very entertaining and well thought out. The staff was EXCELLENT, constantly engaging the kids, dancing, singing, and chatting. The kids selected for the acting roles are amazing at what they do.The atmosphere was magical for the small children we brought with us and the adults truly enjoyed it just as much. We will absolutely return.

Enn Lee

2020-05

This trip was from July 2019.We had such a great time on this round trip. It was reasonably priced. I do recommend you get there early or reserve your tickets. There were open air rail cars and the views were indescribable. The staff was courteous and friendly. However I have to give it 3 stars. For one I could not hear anything that the guide was saying. and two. My son, and one other passenger that was not with us, are in wheelchairs and though the train is suppose to be accessible we could not find where the accessible seating was. Nothing was clearly marked and there was no one to assist us in finding these locations. We ended up having to crawl to a seat and folding up the chair. This was not a big issue for us, however the other passenger was not in a foldable chair. The family had to do a lot of maneuvering to get him situated.

Josh LP

2022-05

Holy smokes! We did their Polar Express Christmas train ride and it was AWESOME! What and amazing experience! The station was decorated floor to ceiling, everyone was full of holiday cheer, and come to find out that many are volunteers! We had the 5pm show and caught the pre-show at 4:45! My wife got us the 1st class tickets (I don't know what the difference is). In our boxcar we had seats facing each other, hot chocolate, sugar cookies, polar express mugs, and Santa gave us all a sleigh bell! The music was great, the story book being read by the cook was great, and the cook danced the whole trip there and back! 10/10 experience!!! We are ABSOLUTELY coming back next year!!!!

Morgan Nichole

2019-05

This was a fabulous adventure for the family! It brought out the child in all of us during their Polar Express run. It was easy to find, free parking, and the staff were top notch! Everyone was friendly and helpful and seemed to really enjoy themselves during the festivities. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in something really cool that will be remembered by your child for years to come. They served hot cocoa and sugar cookies, danced, sang, and we joined in with them. Magical!

Sally Kasper (Sally)

2022-05

This is an awesome place. We love it.! Awesome walk back through time! Ride the train down the mountain through senic mountain sides along terrific dropoffs and a tunnel. Make sure you purchase tickets for the coal mine below at the train station. You need to come and visit. I recommend!

Barbara Gregory

2023-07

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Kelly Rudd

2022-05

We enjoyed train ride, the view is on the left side . Took a tour of Barthell Coal Camp, thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. His grandfather and father were coal miners. Had a nice dinner back at the depot at the Whistlestop.

Greg Ordal

2023-05

The fall color run is a great experience. The train ride was extremely fun. Lots to see and learn at the coal camp that the train ride goes to. The staff was very informative of all the buildings and history. The train ride back was just as nice. The views are so cool seeing the Cooper Branch Creek part of the way just adds to the beauty. Highly recommend the fall color run.

Michael Greenfield

2023-05

What a blast to be able to take a semicolon train ride and step back into history. Well done and we will likely be coming back as we did not see everything at the coal mining site.