Holiday trains are an enjoyable Christmas tradition for adults and children and adults alike. The romance of railroad travel is commemorated in Ohio with excursion train rides and model train displays. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers Christmas themed rides through the month of December. Model railroad fans will love the model train displays that can be found in Ohio. Following are some great Holiday themed trains and model trains in Ohio this year:
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Holiday excursion trains delight passengers. Mr. jIngeling’s Holiday Express is celebrating 50 years of holiday fun. The Polar Express shares a Christmas story as the train journeys to the “North Pole” Children are encouraged to wear PJ’s on the Polar Express, where cookies and hot chocolate are served.
Reservations are required for both excursion trains, which run on selected dated throughout December. The Polar Express is $25 and tickets are sold by mail in lottery. Mr. Jingeling’s Holiday Express is $20 adults, $18 seniors and $13 for children. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad excursion trains run along the Towpath Trail between Cleveland and Akron.
Duke Energy CSX Holiday Model Train Display, “Enchanted Winter Wonderland.” returns to the lobby of the Duke Energy building to delight visitors on the Friday following Thanksgiving. This is the 62nd anniversary of the display, which has become a holiday tradition since its beginning in 1946. The CSX model train is a authentic “O” gauge.
The model train display is a labor of love for the volunteer Dude Energy employees and retires who spend hundreds of hours every year keeping the model trains in excellent condition.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, called B&O;, was often called the “father of American railroads.” B&O; Railroad was first charted in 1827, 180 years ago. It was the first U.S. railroad offering transportation for the public passengers and for freight. In 1963 the B&O; Railroad became affiliated with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, forming the C&O;/B&O;, which was known as the Chessie System. In 1980, Chessie merged with Seaboard Coast Line Industries, forming CSX Corporation. Today’s CSX Railroad continues a long tradition of rail history.
“Enchanted Winter Wonderland’ features handmade B&O; models, creating a railroad scene in miniature. The miniature trains reproduce the historic railroad in miniature with thought put into every intricate detail. The model trains wind around on tracks that go through charming miniature villages, with pine trees, street scenes. The scene is a magical fantasy of a winter wonderland.
The 62nd Annual Holiday Train Display is at 139 e. 4th St., Cincinnati, Ohio, in the main lobby of the Duke Energy building. The display opened on the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs through December 31. Monday-Saturday 10 am – 6 pm. Sunday noon – 5 pm. Closed Christmas Day. No admission charge. 513-287-1500.
The Enchanted Express at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio. The Enchanted Express is a garden railroad designed by Paul Busse. The display includes historic wonders of the world in miniature as it takes guests on a make believe trip. The garden train chugs past the Great Wall of China, past the great pyramids of Egypt and the Old Women in the Shoe. Tickets $7.50 adults, $6.00 for seniors/students and $4.00 for children.
Easton Express at the Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio. The Easton Express is a custom-designed garden trains display which will animate the Children’s Park in a festive landscape from November 16 – December 31.
For more on holiday trains, please see: Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Benefits Food Pantries and Chicagoland’s Holiday Model Train Displays.
Enjoy the beautiful holiday season.
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!
