The My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, Fine Dining and Splendid Scenery

The RJ Corman Railroad Group has only been in service for a little over 30 years but in that time has become quite famous and well-respected, ranging from emergency rail services and short line operations to dinner trains and aircraft maintenance! Rick Corman started the company in 1973 and he began with little more than a backhoe and some determination but with that has built an impressive rail operations company, which among other things, now boosts nine different short line operations in seven different Eastern states.

Although RJ Corman has been in the railroad business since 1973 it has only been in the short line business since early 1987 when it acquired the ex-L&N’s Bardstown branch in Kentucky. In just twenty years in the shortline business the railroad company has amassed over 700 miles of rail lines, its newest acquisition an ex-C&O branch line southwest of Thurmond, West Virginia.

The My Old Kentucky Dinner Train was started by RJ Corman in 1988 using four passenger cars and two ex-Southern Railway FP7 streamlined diesel-electric locomotives to power the train. Part of the reason for the train’s success, aside from its fabulous onboard services is its proximity to nearby cities and attractions. The City of Louisville is just over 40 miles away to the north with Lexington only about 60 miles to the east. Also, legendary Fort Knox is nearby at about 40 miles away to the west.

If you’re a planning a trip on My Old Kentucky Dinner Train prices vary depending on what train you take. A standard lunch is $54.95 while dinner costs $69.95 and their special Murder Mystery train with a dinner and show costs $87.95. While the prices may seem a bit high the train has become quite famous for the quality of its food and onboard dining experience, so you shouldn’t be disappointed with what you have paid for.

So, if you are vacationing in Kentucky or just after something different to do, a trip on the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train is well worth it, passing through the Kentucky countryside while enjoying a good meal. Also, the railroad recently acquired a large operating steam locomotive, a former Chinese 2-10-2 QJ Class. It has since been painted in RJ Corman colors and was recently broken in although it is unclear whether the locomotive is to be used on the dinner train.

For more information on tourist trains like the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train you might want to consider the book Empire State Railway Museum's Tourist Trains 2006 from the Empire State Railway Museum. Given excellent reviews this guidebook covers nearly all of the tourist railroads and museums operating in the country in fine detail. So, if you’re interested in locating a tourist train or railroad near you, or simply want to know more about a particular one, you will certainly not be disappointed in Empire State Railway Museum’s guidebook to tourist railroads and museums. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".