The first commercial rail service in the United States was the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, started in 1828, and by 1860 there were 3,000 miles of track throughout Ohio -- more than any other state. Today, Ohio’s 5,230 miles of working railroads still function as an important part of the state’s commerce. Most passenger lines have been replaced with commercial railways, but scenic railroads remain through some of the prettiest areas of the state, so visitors can see what traveling through Ohio by rail would have been like a hundred years ago.
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, running through Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeastern Ohio, is one of the oldest railroads in the United States. Native Americans used the Cuyahoga River as a transportation corridor, and the first tracks along the route were built in the 1870s, beginning a new era of faster transportation and trade. You'll pass through the park's evergreen stands and river floodplains as you ride. You can tailor your trip to the type of journey you wish to have, from visiting the historic sights to experiencing more natural beauty. The vintage coaches you ride in were built in 1939, but have been updated to include air conditioning for Ohio’s hot summers. The Cuyahoga Railroad also offers a special deal for cyclists -- you can bike along a trail in one direction, and take the train back.
This railway between Carrolton and Minerva takes you through 14 beautiful miles of history. You’ll cross the “Great Trail” of the 1700s, which essentially opened the western frontier to new settlers, as well as pass through historic villages, vast farmland, and lush forests intersected by enchanting streams. The trip, including return, lasts about three hours and includes a one-hour stop in Minerva. All trains depart from the Carrolton side.
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway runs diesel-powered rides through the hills of southeastern Ohio. You’ll ride in coaches circa 1927, with a diesel locomotive from 1952. The railway passes through forests full of dogwood trees in the summer, and spectacular red and orange foliage in the fall. Hocking Valley also has special Christmas rides, where passengers can visit with Santa on board, as well as an Easter Bunny ride in the spring. Other themed rides include a murder mystery tour and a train robbery adventure.
In Waterville, board the Blue Bird train for a 15-mile trip on the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway. The railroad was once part of the Cloverleaf Division of the Nickel Plate Road, which led all the way to St. Louis in the 1800s. The entire trip takes about an hour, and you'll pass scenic old barns and log cabins. The Toledo Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum runs special occasion trains throughout the year. There’s a Mother’s Day Tea Express train, a Haunted Halloween Train, and a Presidential Train Ride with Abraham Lincoln, where you can learn more about railroad history in the United States. The railway and museum is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers. You can become a railway member through volunteering your time or giving a donation.
This brief locomotive tour along the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, formerly known as the Lebanon and Turtlecreek Railway, includes a history lesson. Starting in historic Lebanon, Ohio, conductors explain how the town was settled as well as the history of the railroad. They'll walk you through the vintage trains, including the 1950s-era restored locomotive and a 1930s gondola car with panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. Themed rides include the Pumpkin Patch Express and North Pole Express. The railroad often offers special train rides for children based on book characters. "Train Ride With Clifford" and "Day Out With Thomas the Tank Engine" are two popular choices as of 2014.
