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Good news!!!! I will be updating this site!!! New address,
new features!!!! I will add a link on this page once it is ready!!!
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Driving along E.K. highway and parts of route 207 through Greenup, Carter, and Lawrence counties, a person
may pass pieces of history. They are obscured by changes that decades of time bring about. A pool, tunnels or sink
holes, bridges and bridge parts, and a number of old structures are about all that the Eastern Kentucky Railway
has left for us. On occasion a person may see a lock, a lantern, and several documents that survive to feed our
curiosity. But most important by far, are the teenagers and children of that era that hide behind decades of life in
surrounding communities today!
Alva Baldridge of Argillite remembers
the railway vividly and still describes it as the grandest ride. To hear him describe the people that ran it 85 years ago
and what it was like to ride to Riverton puts the listener right next to that eight year old.
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| 1981 Ashland Daily Independant featuring Alva Baldridge and The Eastern Kentucky Railway |
Shirley Gifford told me of
her grandfather and how he cooked for workers along the path. Others as well has contacted me via e-mail to let me know how
they appreciate this site. I continue to invite you to send me copies of pictures regarding the EKRY. I have been contacted
by individuals that have various items from EKRY's glory day and wished to let me take pictures. I apologize, I lost several
e-mails over the past month or so and I would enjoy hearing from you again.
I would like to take this
time and express my gradtitude to the Eastern Kentucky Railway Historical Society. They and their members are responsible for many of
the pictures of which you can view on this site. This reminds me of two wonderful things that you can do to help. If
you become a member of the Eastern Kentucky Railway Historical Society your $10 fee goes toward EKRY highway markers. If you
have any EKRY items, you can donate them to the Historical Society and they will be on display at the McConnell House in Wurtland
Kentucky. If interested see the EK today link.
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| Eastern Kentucky Railway Pass |
In recent times the
name Eastern Kentucky Railway, Eastern Kentucky
Railroad, or EKRY has had various resurrections throughout Eastern Kentucky.
Author Jesse Stuart made reference to the Eastern
Kentucky Railway in a couple
of his pieces. Most notable is "A Ride With Huey The Engineer", which can be ordered through the Jesse Stuart Foundation.
I will include a link to this under EK today. I remember a couple of softball teams with the name "EK Railroaders". I understand
there are a couple of Bluegrass bands that have adopted the EK name. Many today know what they know
concerning the EKRY through newspaper articles, area radio station (thanks KJ and WUGO for your most helpful comments and
EKRY link on your site), or through stories from others. I hope this site can in some way promote EKRY history and the
cities along it's long abandoned path.
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