Michael Hale sent us photos of the old railroad that once went through Hardin, Kentucky, known last as the Hardin Southern Railroad.

You can read about the history of Hardin Southern Railroad here.

Mr. Hale tells us the passenger car photos are from 1986 and 1987, just three years or so after the line was severed from Hardin to Paducah.  The other photos are from around 1999-2000.

The yellow locomotive pictured below was brought to Hardin around 1999 for restoration and was to be used as a backup engine for the Hardin Southern Railroad.  After the HSRR was sold, and before the tracks were dismantled, the 1941 Davenport was moved sometime around 2007 and was donated to the Chesapeake Railway Association, then acquired by Walkersville Southern (MD).  According to an email follow-up by Tim Moriarty, the old Davenport, as of September 2020, is resting on their line with no plans for restoration.  That photo is located at the bottom.

Thanks to Michael Hale for sharing these other photos and providing the information.  If you have any you’d like to share, please get in touch with us.