Kentucky Polar Express Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Last revised: August 22, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Kentucky’s licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride for 2026 is Big South Fork Scenic Railway at Stearns. Railroad posts have framed the window around November 14 – December 23. Polar boards the Stearns Depot at 66 Henderson Street.
The licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at the Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns, Kentucky. Be sure to confirm the 2026 calendar and schedule on the railroad's site before you travel.
This page lists licensed Polar Express only. Other Kentucky holiday trains → Christmas trains hub.
Kentucky Polar Express at a Glance
| Host | City | 2026 dates | Duration / fares | Deep dive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big South Fork Scenic Railway | Stearns | ~Nov. 14 – Dec. 23 (confirm live) | Confirm Polar fares on the Polar site | Stearns Polar 2026 |
Schedules and fares change. Confirm on the operator’s website before booking. Information compiled August 21, 2026. Licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ event only.
Licensed Host
Big South Fork Scenic Railway
(Stearns):The Polar Express is the licensed theatrical arc: pajamas encouraged, story, cocoa and cookies, North Pole visit, Santa, silver bell, carols on the return. Arrive about 45 minutes early as the railroad directs.
2026: About November 14 – December 23 (confirm live). Book on stearnsthepolarexpressride.com or the box office at (606) 376-5330.
Planning Tips
- Be sure to buy tickets for official The Polar Express events on the Polar page.
- Build lodging in Stearns / the Big South Fork area when you buy tickets.
- December in the gorge is coat weather.
Related Reading on American-Rails.com
- Big South Fork Polar Express 2026
- Kentucky Fall Foliage Train Rides
- THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Locations 2026
- Christmas Train Rides (non-Polar)
Always verify 2026 schedules, fares, and event dates on the operator’s official website before you travel. American-Rails.com does not sell tickets.
Recent Articles
-
Maryland Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 23, 26 05:19 PM
2026 Western Maryland Scenic Allegheny Mountain Dinner Train—Cumberland, 3 hours, 21+, Saturday 7 p.m. Confirm on wmsr.com. -
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad: Map, Rosters, Photos
Sep 23, 26 03:28 PM
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie—the Little Giant. Chartered 1875, Pittsburgh to Youngstown February 10, 1879. New York Central from 1883. Independent May 15, 1979. Last day September 11, 1992. -
Kansas Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 23, 26 01:11 PM
2026 Abilene & Smoky Valley Smoky Valley Limited—two hours from the Rock Island Depot, about $72–$110, dates into December 31. Confirm on asvrr.org. -
The Belpaire Firebox: Simplicity and Greater Power
Sep 23, 26 01:03 PM
Belpaire firebox—Alfred Belpaire, 1864. Square crown, straight staybolts at right angles. Pennsylvania standard after the 1880s. Great Northern was the other big user. -
Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) Electric Roster: All Classes
Sep 23, 26 12:57 PM
Pennsylvania Railroad electrics—DD1s into Penn Station, P5s, 139 GG1s, B1 switchers, and 66 E44s. Class roster, 1905–1963. No unit-by-unit GG1 list. -
Penn Central Diesel Roster: All-Time
Sep 23, 26 12:46 PM
Penn Central diesel roster—PRR classes on NYC, PRR, and New Haven power. New orders carry serials. GP38-2s are 7940-8162. Conrail April 1, 1976. -
Penn Central Railroad: Map, History, Logo
Sep 23, 26 12:32 PM
Penn Central—Pennsylvania and New York Central merged February 1, 1968. New Haven January 1, 1969. Section 77 bankruptcy June 21, 1970. Conrail April 1, 1976. -
Iowa Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 23, 26 11:42 AM
2026 Boone & Scenic Valley Wolf Dinner Train—Saturdays May–October, Union Pacific dining cars, Bass Point Creek High Bridge. Confirm on bsvrr.com. -
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines: Map, Roster, History
Sep 23, 26 12:32 AM
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines—Atlantic City Railroad renamed July 15, 1933. Pennsylvania two-thirds, Reading one-third. Camden to Atlantic City, Cape May, and Millville. Conrail April 1, 1976. -
Wisconsin Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 23, 26 12:28 AM
2026 Wisconsin Great Northern dinner train in Trego—$105, Namekagon River, January 8–31 and May 5–December 17. Mid-Continent’s remaining 2026 calendar is snack and scenic. Confirm on the railroad. -
New Hampshire Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 23, 26 12:21 AM
2026 Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train in North Woodstock—five courses, 2 hours, from $125. Children under 6 not allowed. Confirm on nhdinnertrain.com. -
PRR "GG-1" Locomotives: Roster, Photos, Specs
Sep 23, 26 12:13 AM
PRR GG1 electric: 139 locomotives, 4800–4938, built 1934–1943. Specs, Loewy shell, Amtrak numbers, and the last revenue trip on October 28, 1983. -
Montana Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 23, 26 12:04 AM
2026 Charlie Russell Chew Choo from Hanover, near Lewistown—4.5 hours, prime rib, adult $151. Remaining listed dates sold out. Confirm on montanadinnertrain.com. -
Kentucky Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 22, 26 11:52 PM
2026 My Old Kentucky Dinner Train in Bardstown—four courses, 2.5 hours, adult $116. Confirm on kydinnertrain.com. -
Tennessee Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 22, 26 11:45 PM
2026 TVRM Chattanooga Dinner Train—Grand Junction, select Fri/Sat March 6–October 24, 6 p.m., from $110. Confirm on tvrail.com. -
The Trainphone: PRR's Wireless Radio System
Sep 22, 26 11:17 PM
Pennsylvania Trainphone—Union Switch & Signal inductive telephone. Bel-Del trial 1941, Frenchtown November 29, 1943. Carriers at 88 kHz and 144 kHz. Out of service April 30, 1967. -
Pennsylvania (PRR) Steam Roster: Post 1906
Sep 22, 26 11:13 PM
ennsylvania steam after 1906—H8, H9, and H10 Consolidations, 574 L1s Mikados, 598 I1s Decapods, 425 K4s Pacifics, 301 M1 Mountains. Drury’s grid. Last steam November 30, 1957. -
Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) Diesel Roster: All-Time List
Sep 22, 26 10:59 PM
Pennsylvania diesel roster—SW 3908 in June 1937, then Alco, Baldwin, EMD, Fairbanks-Morse, GE, and Lima. Serials and Alco order numbers. Penn Central February 1, 1968. -
Pennsylvania Railroad: Map, Logo, History, Rosters
Sep 22, 26 10:02 PM
Pennsylvania Railroad—chartered April 13, 1846, Harrisburg–Pittsburgh, Horseshoe Curve 1854, Penn Station 1910. Standard Railroad of the World. Penn Central February 1, 1968. -
Pennsylvania Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 22, 26 04:48 PM
2026 Pennsylvania dinner trains—Colebrookdale Dining Class in Boyertown and Strasburg Dinner on the Rails. Confirm on each railroad. -
New York, Ontario & Western Steam Locomotives: History & Roster
Sep 22, 26 04:40 PM
NYO&W steam—camelback 2-8-0s and 2-6-0s, Class X Bull Moose 2-10-2s, Class Y and Y-2 Mountains. All-time class roster. Steam finished in the summer of 1948. None saved. -
New York, Ontario & Western Diesel Roster: All-Time
Sep 22, 26 04:36 PM
NYO&W diesel—five GE 44-tonners 101-105, eighteen FTs, seven F3s, twenty-one NW2s. Serials and the NW2 order E824. Railroad liquidated March 29 1957. -
New York, Ontario & Western Railway: Map, Roster, History
Sep 22, 26 04:26 PM
New York, Ontario & Western—New York & Oswego Midland chartered January 11 1866, O&W January 21 1880. Scranton coal, West Shore rights. Last train March 29 1957. -
Massachusetts Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 22, 26 04:16 PM
2026 Cape Cod Dinner Train—Hyannis, Buzzards Bay, and North Falmouth. Four-course, 3–3½ hours, from $99.99. Confirm on capetrain.com. -
Colorado Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 22, 26 03:51 PM
2026 Royal Gorge Route First Class Dinner and Lunch from Cañon City. About 2 hours, 12+, from $199+. Confirm on royalgorgeroute.com. -
New York and Long Branch Railroad: A PRR & CNJ Subsidiary
Sep 22, 26 03:11 PM
New York & Long Branch—chartered April 8 1868, Perth Amboy–Long Branch July 1 1875, Bay Head Junction 1881. Jersey Central and Pennsylvania trains. Conrail April 1 1976. NJ Transit North Jersey Co… -
Monongahela Railway Steam Locomotives: History & Roster
Sep 22, 26 01:34 PM
Monongahela steam—H-5 Consolidations, USRA light Mikados 170–179, Baldwin L-2s, ex-P&LE L-3s. All-time roster. Last steam May 26, 1954. -
Monongahela Railway Diesel Roster: All-Time
Sep 22, 26 01:16 PM
Monongahela diesel—27 Baldwin S-12s, NYC RF-16 sharks, P&LE GP7s, GP38s 2000–2004, Super 7s 2300–2310. Serials and orders. Last steam May 26, 1954. -
Monongahela Railway: Map, Rosters, History
Sep 22, 26 01:14 PM
Monongahela Railway—incorporated December 31 1900, Railway July 1 1915. Brownsville–Fairmont coal road. Last steam May 26 1954. Conrail May 1 1993. -
Virginia Scenic Railway Dining (2026)
Sep 22, 26 01:09 PM
2026 Virginia Scenic Railway—Blue Ridge Flyer Dining Class from Staunton, about 3 hours, plated meal. Sunday Brunch from Louisa, about $132. Confirm on virginiascenicrailway.com. -
Virginia Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 22, 26 01:03 PM
2026 Virginia Scenic Railway—Blue Ridge Flyer Dining Class from Staunton, Alleghany Special Dining Class, Sunday Brunch from Louisa. Confirm on virginiascenicrailway.com. -
Oregon Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 22, 26 12:51 PM
2026 Oregon has no plated dinner train on the calendar. Mount Hood is scenic with snacks. Oregon Coast Scenic’s evening ride is the 21+ Moonlight with sandwiches. -
Maine Central Steam Locomotives: History & Roster
Sep 22, 26 12:33 PM
Maine Central steam—Ten-Wheelers, W-class Consolidations, S-class Mikados, C-class Pacifics, Hudsons 701 and 702. Post-1900 roster after Drury. Last steam June 13, 1954. -
Maine Central Diesel Roster: All-Time
Sep 22, 26 12:04 PM
Maine Central diesel—railcar 901, HH660s, GP7s, E7s, F3s, GP38s, U18Bs, ex-Rock Island U25Bs. All-time roster with serials and orders. Last steam June 13, 1954. -
Maine Central Railroad: Map, Logo, Rosters, History
Sep 22, 26 11:36 AM
Maine Central—Androscoggin & Kennebec and Penobscot & Kennebec, October 28 1862. Pine Tree Route. Mountain Division, Portland–Bangor–Vanceboro. Last steam June 13 1954. Guilford June 1981. -
Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad: Map, Roster, Logo
Sep 22, 26 12:14 AM
Ma & Pa—Peach Bottom 1868, Maryland & Pennsylvania February 12 1901, Baltimore to York. Last steam November 29 1956. York Railway December 1 1999. -
New York Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 21, 26 11:59 PM
2026 New York dinner train—Adirondack Dinner Train from Utica, 6 p.m., about 3 hours, First Class from $139. Arcade & Attica mystery dinner is served at Curriers. Confirm on the railroad. -
California Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 21, 26 11:49 PM
2026 California dinner trains—Napa Valley Wine Train plated meals, River Fox brunch and mystery dinner, Roaring Camp barbecue at camp. Confirm on each railroad. -
Roaring Camp Starlight Dinner Party (2026)
Sep 21, 26 11:33 PM
2026 Roaring Camp Starlight Dinner Party—Beach Train from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, barbecue at Felton, ride back after dark. Confirm on roaringcamp.com. -
Long Island Rail Road Steam Locomotives: History, Roster & Photos
Sep 21, 26 11:29 PM
Long Island steam—G5s 20–50, H10s 101–119, last steam at Hicksville October 8, 1955. Post-1898 class roster. -
Long Island Rail Road Diesel Roster: All-Time
Sep 21, 26 11:24 PM
Long Island diesel—boxcab 401 in 1925, FM C-Liners, RS-3s, C-420s, GP38-2s, DE30AC and DM30AC. All-time roster with serials and orders. -
Long Island Rail Road: Map, History, Pictures, Logo
Sep 21, 26 08:27 PM
Long Island Rail Road—Brooklyn & Jamaica 1836, Greenport 1844, Pennsylvania control 1900, Penn Station 1910. MTA since 1968. Steam and diesel rosters. -
Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (2026): Sunset Dinner and Moonlight
Sep 21, 26 02:40 PM
2026 Oregon Coast Scenic does not post the old four-course Sunset Dinner. The evening ride is the 21+ Moonlight Excursion from Garibaldi, with pre-ordered sandwiches. Confirm on oregoncoastscenic.org. -
Adirondack Dinner Train (2026): Dates, Tickets & What to Expect
Sep 21, 26 01:38 PM
2026 Adirondack Dinner Train—Utica Union Station, 6 p.m., about 3 hours to Remsen. First Class from $139. Chef Patrick O’Connor. Confirm on adirondackrr.com. -
Lehigh Valley Steam Locomotives: History, Roster & Photos
Sep 21, 26 01:31 PM
Lehigh Valley steam—Camelback Consolidations, 2-10-2s, K-class Pacifics, six Mountains, Wyoming 4-8-4s. Post-1900 roster after Drury. Last steam September 14, 1951. -
Lehigh Valley Diesel Roster: All-Time
Sep 21, 26 01:23 PM
Lehigh Valley diesel—boxcabs 1926, FTs 1945, F3/F7, FA/PA, C628 Snowbirds, GP38-2s, U23Bs. All-time roster with serials and orders. Last steam September 14, 1951. -
Lehigh Valley Railroad: Map, Roster, Logo, History
Sep 21, 26 01:09 PM
Lehigh Valley—DLS&S 1847, named January 7 1853, Mauch Chunk–Easton September 12 1855. Route of the Black Diamond. Jersey City–Buffalo. Conrail April 1 1976. -
Wisconsin Great Northern Dinner Train (2026)
Sep 21, 26 12:47 PM
2026 Wisconsin Great Northern dinner train—Trego, $105, Namekagon River. January 8–31 and May 5–December 17. Confirm on spoonertrainride.com. -
Lehigh and New England Railroad: Map, Rosters, History
Sep 21, 26 12:33 AM
Lehigh & New England—South Mountain & Boston 1873, named April 2 1895. Anthracite, cement, Maybrook. Last Camelbacks, Alco FAs. Voluntary shutdown October 31 1961. -
TVRM Chattanooga Dinner Train (2026): Dates, Tickets & What to Expect
Sep 21, 26 12:20 AM
2026 TVRM Chattanooga Dinner Train Experience—Grand Junction, select Fri/Sat March 6–October 24, three-course, 2–3 hours, from $110. Confirm on tvrail.com.
