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

SantaTrainOhio Magazine Features Holidays events at ORTA members! Click here to read the article

Watch this live
Ohio Central Steam Engine 33 steam video
From the Cuyahoga
Valley Scenic
Railroad Click on the image

New Member!
Lodi Station Outlets Lodi Station Outlets
Lodi, Ohio
on I-71

A unique blend of shopping and trains

New Member!
Butler County Visitors Bureau
Butler County,Butler County, Ohio Visitors Bureau 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, Open to the public, a Huge Success!
 
This year's meeting was held April 19th, 2008 in Sugar Creek, OH - the largest attendance ever. We were guests of the Ohio Central Railroad System. Thanks to Matt Dietrich Executive director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission, 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 view 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.)

October 10,11,17,18,24,25,31, 2008
THE GHOST TROLLEY
It’s lights out and down the track with stories of The Ghost Trolley
Ohio Rail Museum, Columbus, Ohio

December 7th, 3:30pm - 6:30pm
Holiday Fun at The Depot
Free Admission, bring a gift for Toys For Tots for a free train ride. Meet Santa and enjoy Hobo Stew.
Ohio Railway Museum and The Depot  

December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 2008
The Polar Express
Ashtabula, Carson and Jefferson Scenic Line

October 11, 18, 25
Haunted Train Excursion
Lodi Station Outlets

October 2008
Halloween Excursions,
Fall Foliage Trains

Byesville Scenic Railway

Mr. Jingeling's Holiday Express Nov/Dec
The Polar Experss in Nov/Dec
Christmas Tree Adventure Nov 29th/30th
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Oct 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31, Nov 1, 2
Halloween Spirit Adventure
Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and The Moose Whitehouse-Waterville Lodge

Nov/Dec 2008
Fall Foliage, Santa Train,
North Pole Express and New Year's Eve

Hocking Valley Scenic Railway

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

October 17, 24, 18, 25, 2008
Halloween Train & Haunted Hobo Path
Walk the haunted hobo path. Survivors, upon reaching our bonfire, can toast their good fortune with cider.
The Lake Shore Railway Association


2008 Past Events

(See the fun you missed)

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

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

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

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

Ohio Rail Tourism Logo

Ohio Rail Tourism Association, Copyright 2008
Website Designed by David Flynn Design

Ohio Means Business