FREQ 160.950, 160.245
The Rathole is the nickname give to the NS main from Danville Kentucky to Oneida Tennessee. Up to 60 plus train a day can be seen here on this busy route. It is highly recomended that you have a local map of the area.
DANVILLE
A yard can be found here, easily reached via downtown side streets. An overpass allows for excellent viewing of trains moving in and out. Just north of the yard, the main splits, one route heading for Lxington and points north, the other for Louisville and points west.
HEADING SOUTH
Follow US 27. Use side streets to access the railroad. The next senic place is Kings Mountain Kentucky, about and hour south of Danville. Here NS rolls through a cut, and daylighted tunnel.
SOMERSET KENTUCKY
This is where the Kentucky Division is dispatched from. Here you can also find lodging, food, etc for your trip. If you wind your way through the streets to teh old Depot, you will find the NS Kentucky Division HQ.
From Somerset follow US 27 south from here to continue to follow the railroad.
BURNSIDE
Here is where the real good scenery begins. US 27 crosses the Cumberland River. Just north of the bridge, and on the east side of the road, there is a place where you can pull off, and hike up a trail that will take you to the edge of the cliff, overlooking the river and the NS railroad bridge. Be very carefull, and do not get near the edge. This is one of those places where if you fall, you will most likely die. My last trip here in June of 2003 some of the area had been cleared out. You can still get to the cliff with a view of the bridge but the path to the point right above the bridge was overgrown but that may just be a summer thing.
If you follow the trail along the cliff toward the railroad, it ends on an overlook where you get a view of the railroad through a cut, and onto the bridge.
TATEVILLE
Follow US 27 south, and NS crosses over on a bridge. The road just south of there, and a few other sideroads will take you the the deep cuts that the Rathole is known for. This is now double tracked.
CUMBERLAND FALLS AND WHITELY CITY
Follow US 27 further south, you will find other senic locations. Overpasses, side roads will privide plenty of photo locations.
The Big South Fork Senic operates excursions to Blue Heron, an old coal mine. Follow the signs! This tourist road operates with an old Alco switcher.
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