LEXINGTON, Ky. — All aboard! Some Lexington citizens are pushing to bring passenger rail to Central Kentucky.

What You Need To Know

  • Passenger rail has not been in Lexington for over 50 years 

  • The Bluegrass Passenger Rail Facebook group consists of locals who'd support a passenger rail service in central Kentucky  

  • A proposed route would run the existing tracks of railroad owned by Cincinnati Southern Railway 

Lexington has its fair share of railroads running through the city, which has given some the prospects of bringing commuter and passenger rail back to the city. The Bluegrass Passenger Rail Facebook group was formed last month, but in the last week has seen 860 new members join with a total group of almost 900.

Peggy Somsel says after visiting Europe, she’s had the idea for a few years of bringing some sort of metro rail service to Lexington.

“I think more people would end up taking the light rail because it would get you there faster and easier and you don’t have to park,” Somsel said.

While some council members have given their support, Somsel says they insist on having a density study done before considering any rail transport.

“It’s very feasible here. It’s just convincing the government that this will work,” Somsel said. “Instead of waiting for the catastrophe to happen, let’s be the leaders of the country. Let’s do it before that. We see it’s coming, so why wait?”

Her interest has brought others on to the idea as well. Spencer Stelzer-Weise came up with a route which follows an existing track owned by the Cincinnati Southern Railway.

“The route I was proposing would eventually go from Georgetown around the Toyota plant down through Lexington to maybe all the way to Danville or further,” Stelzer-Weise said.

Weise presented that route last month during a community meeting at the library. He started a Facebook group which in the last week has seen more and more people join.

“As people my generation and younger come into age there’s been much more increased push to get more rail around,” Stelzer-Weise said.

Somsel said a potential route would start small, but big enough so people see the benefits. She said if the city council won’t play ball, she’ll go higher if needed.

“Just go up to Frankfort and talk to the people there. If somebody could just find a few people who have the power, it could happen in five years,” Somsel said.

Lexington has not had commuter rail transport in over 50 years.

Cincinnati voters are being asked in November whether or not the city should sell the railway to Norfolk Southern for $1.6 billion.

Related Stories