| Kentucky's | Abandoned Railroad Corridor Inventory | depots I have known |
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Kentucky has a network of abandoned common carrier mainlines, narrow gauge
logging railroads, and short lived spurs that served coal mines. There are
lines that were abandoned over 100 years ago and lines that are undergoing
the process of abandonment today. As of 2001, the state had approximately
2,780 miles of track, down from over 4,000 miles at its peak in the
1930's. This means that there are close to 1,200 miles of abandoned
railroad beds in Kentucky.
Over 125
different abandoned rail lines were identified, mapped using GIS
technology, and assessed for their current use and condition. These
abandoned rights of way exist in all regions of the state, in urban and
rural areas. Less than one percent of Kentucky's abandoned rail lines have
been converted into recreational uses and while a few successful rails to
trails projects have already been completed, there is still great
potential to expand these into an extensive network of trails connecting
Kentucky's communities, natural resources, and historic sites. Education,
support, and coordination of effort will help ensure future trail success
in the Commonwealth. |
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This
site provides an inventory of Kentucky's abandoned rail lines and a
detailed assessment to highlight the lines that may be the most suitable
for future recreational use. A secondary purpose of the site is to
inventory historic railroad structures.