YOUR TICKET TO BOURBON COUNTRY

Railroads and bourbon have interlinked histories going back to the 1850s. The Lebanon branch of the L&N railroad ran through the heart of bourbon production in the pre-prohibition era, with over 27 distilleries located along or near its tracks. The heritage of many of those historic distilleries live on today in the modern distilleries operated by Jim Beam, Log Still, Maker’s Mark, and Limestone Branch.

One of the goals of the Lebanon Branch Preservation Trust is to leverage the region’s heritage to provide a world class bourbon train experience and allow passenger to relive the glory days of passenger railroading. The inspiration for this endeavor comes from the world-famous Napa Valley Wine Train of whom attracts over a hundred thousand visitors per year. Formed in 1987, the Napa Valley Wine Train operates through the heart of the Napa Valley in California and provides guests with a unique way to travel and visit the numerous wineries and vineyards located along the route. 

This planned bourbon train experience would allow guests to board a vintage passenger train and indulge in both fine dining and bourbon tasting, all while traveling through Kentucky’s heartland to visit various distilleries. The route of this bourbon train will be along the historic Lebanon Branch corridor from Boston, KY to Lebanon, KY with stops planned for Jim Beam in Boston, Log Still Distillery in Gethsemane, Maker’s Mark in Loretto, and Jefferson’s Distillery, Limestone Branch Distillery, and ISC’s Kentucky Cooperage in Lebanon. In addition, bourbon train passengers will have the opportunity to explore Lebanon’s historic downtown area, as the historic L&N passenger station was located in the heart of downtown on Depot Street. 
Work has already begun for this bourbon train experience, with significant investments already made. In 2022 $1.1 million was invested into track construction and site development in Gethsemane, KY to accommodate train passengers arriving to and departing from Log Still Distillery. In early 2024 additional track construction and site development were performed in Boston, KY to accommodate train passengers arriving from Jim Beam. In 2024 Lebanon Branch Preservation Trust partner, Kentucky Railway Museum, refurbished the first passenger car for this bourbon train experience with an investment of $200,000, and has the second car’s refurbishment in progress.