Ohio Rail Tourism Association

Rail built Ohio and united our nation. Today it plays a growing role in passenger travel and freight at a fraction of the energy costs of cars and trucks. The Ohio Rail Tourism Association (ORTA) and its members help you experience and enjoy a time where travel was exciting, scenic, and relaxing. Each ORTA member provides a unique rail experience that is both fun and historical such as the coal mining history in Byesville, the Cabin Fever Express on the Cuyahoga, the Train Festival at The Depot, and the Train Robbery on the Hocking Valley to mention a few. Plan a different rail event every month! Please download Ohio's Official Rail Map with ORTA Rail attractions or click on a map location below. Events

September Featured Event:
Festival of Steam!
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
See or Ride the historic steam
engine from Ohio Central! Enjoy a model railroad display, photos with engineer and conductor, costumed characters, photo run-bys, food, and activities for the entire family. Make plans now for September 24th through 28th.

New Member! Grand Openingspan>
Lodi Station Outlets
Lodi, Ohio on I-71
Come to the Grand Opening Labor Day Weekend for Train rides and much more! Ride the new 24" gauge steam train that will transport you from store to store in style! There will be entertainment, prizes and more. Fun for All! Come to the ORTA table to learn more about trains in Ohio.

New Member!
Butler County Visitors Bureau
Butler County, Ohio is The NEW Destination Designed for You! Our destination offers an eclectic mix from contemporary to traditional.

Roll over the dots to view the railroads and museums that are members of the Ohio Rail Tourism Association. Click on the name of the railroad or attraction to go directly to their website.

Railroad picts

ORTA Annual Meeting
Informational, Fun, Huge Success!

This year's meeting was held April 19th, 2008 in Sugar Creek, OH - the largest attendence ever. We were guests of the Ohio Central Railroad System. Thanks to Matt Dietrich Executive director of the Ohio Rail Development Commision, Bob McCarthy of McCarthy Railroad Insurance Co. and Mike Hocker, Executive Director of the Lincoln Highway State Byway for their outstanding presentations. The highlight of day was a steam ride to OC's Morgan Run maintenance facility with a fantastic photo run-by. Click here to see the video. We were pulled by #33, beautifully rebuilt, powerful.
Click here to veiw the awesome run-by. See our picture Gallery

Special thanks to the hard working meeting organizers Mary Marshall and Lynda Nelson. Instrumental: Ken Baldwin, Sandy & Bill Engel, Bill Linebaugh and Kurt Teschendorf. And, a big thanks to Jerry Jacobson for OC's support.

ORTA members and train enthusiasts start making your plans for 2009!

Select Upcoming Events for Rail Fans (You will find many more events at each member's web site.)
August 16 and 17, 2008 Wild West Weekend Ashtabula, Carson and Jefferson Scenic Line August 23-24 10am - 5pm Train Festival at The Depot Ohio Railway Museum and The Depot August 30 and 31, 2008 Steam Train Weekend - a Vintage Rail Experience This labor day weekend ride behind Old #6 Ashtabula, Carson and Jefferson Scenic Line Labor Day Weekend - Aug 30, 31, Sept 1 Lodi Station Outlets Where trains and outlet shopping intersect Come to the Grand Opening	September 24th through 28th, 2008 Festival of Steam Ride the historic steam engine from Ohio Central! Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad October 3, 4 & 5, 2008r /> Fall Steam Weekend & Coal Miner's Festival Byesville Scenic Railroad October 11th, 2008 Medina Loop / Fall Foliage Excursion InIn cooperation with the Wheeling and Lake Erie Rwy, this is our most popular excursion. Orrville Railroad Heritage Society November 29th, 2008 The Santa Train Ride 1 1/2 hours from Orrville to Lodi and visit with Santa at the Depot Holiday Open House. Orrville Railroad Heritage Society
Past Events
April 13, 2008 Young at Heart: Civilian Conservation Corps Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway www.cvsr.com April 26, 2008 TLEW Motor Car Rally, Waterville, Ohio Toledo, Lake Erie & Western RW May 3, 2008 TLEW opens it's 2008 Passenger Service Season! Toledo, Lake Erie & Western RW May 4, 2008 Young at Heart: Railroad Legend and Lore www.cvsr.com May 10, 2008 "Grape Escape" Wine-Tasting Express Wonderful Wines A Toast to Moms Departs at 4:00 pm, returns at 6:00 pm www.cvsr.com	May 11, 2008 Mother's Day Tea Express One Train Only 7:00 pm Toledo, Lake Erie & Western RW Starting May 17 Day Out With Thomas Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad www.cvsr.com June 14 & 15 Opening weekend of Ashtabula, Carson & Jefferson Scenic Railroad Father's Day Dads ride half fare with their children June 28 - 29 Brad the Great, Magic on the train Kids oriented weekend Ashtabula, Carson & Jefferson Scenic Railroad July 12 & 13 Civil War Train Raid "A Journey In Time" Ashtabula, Carson & Jefferson Scenic Railroad

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