The Louisville & Nashville Railroad Historical Society was organized in 1982 for the purpose of collecting, organizing, preserving, and sharing information and material relating to the L&N, its predecessors and its successors. At its zenith, the L&N was a 6,000-mile railroad system that served 13 states. The railroad was economically strong throughout its lifetime, operating both freight and passenger trains in a manner that earned it the nickname, The Old Reliable.

The society is a non-profit educational organization, incorporated in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and functions strictly with volunteer members serving as officers.