The Dennison Depot Railroad Museum features displays of the station’s role in serving millions of servicemen and women during World Wars I and II.

Ohio’s railroad history goes back to 1835, when the first railroad completed in Ohio began construction. The Erie & Kalamazoo Rail Road eventually connected Toledo with Adrian, Mich., a distance of 33 miles. The first railroad entirely within Ohio was the Mad River & Lake Erie, which began building a line between Sandusky and Springfield in 1835, completing it in 1847. By 1850, there were 76 railroad companies chartered, and by 1920, there were more than 9,000 miles of railroad in the state.

Railroads have diminished drastically since the days of extensive freight, interurban and passenger rail that connected Ohio with the rest of the nation. Many former railroad beds are now recreational trails used for biking and walking. There are also many short-route railroads and railroad-related attractions in the state where you can still enjoy rail travel and learn about the history of railroads in Ohio.

Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum – Learn about the heyday of steam locomotives at the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum, an 18-stall, accurately reconstructed brick roundhouse housing the largest private collection of steam locomotives in the world, including 23 historic steam locomotives in various states of restoration and preservation. The site includes a fully functioning, working back shop where skilled workers preserve, restore and repair steam locomotives. Reservations are required in advance. 213 Smokey Lane Road SW, Sugarcreek (330) 852-4676.

The Conneaut Railroad Museum features a restored depot, locomotive and cars.

Bradford Railroad Museum – The Bradford Railroad Museum features a restored switching tower and three floors of railroad memorabilia and artifacts, videos and interactive exhibits. 200 N. Miami Ave., Bradford (937) 552-2196.

Cincinnati Dinner Train – The Cincinnati Dinner Train operates on Saturday evenings March through December, taking a three-hour, 25-mile round trip dinner ride to the Cincinnati riverfront and back. 2172 Seymour Ave., Cincinnati (513) 791-7245.

Chillicothe Caboose Museum – Explore the rich history and culture of this museum through exhibits and events. The Chillicothe Caboose’s collections of fascinating railroad artifacts and authentic period displays show how engineers and railway workers used to live on the train and helped keep railroads safe and reliable. The Red Caboose is located at Paint and Water streets in Chillicothe. Winter hours (November-May) by appointment only; May-October open Fridays noon-6 p.m. and during most city celebrations. (740) 702-7657.

Conneaut Railroad Museum – The museum building was originally a Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad depot built in 1900, and acquired from New York Central Railroad. Outside is Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 755, a hopper car and caboose. Exhibits include numerous historic photos and artifacts, a ticket booth and a model railroad display. 363 Depot St., Conneaut (440) 599-7878. Connect on Facebook.

Corner Field Model Railroad Museum & Trading Post Gift Shop – This hobby dealer and museum has the largest family-owned three-rail model railroad layout in the U.S. with more than 6,500 feet of track and hundreds of buildings. Includes a hobby shop that sells electric train sets and accessories. 16720 Pioneer Road, Middlefield (440) 636-5162. Connect on Facebook.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad – The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad connects with numerous stations stretching from Independence to Akron, taking riders on two- to three-hour tours through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For tickets, station locations and more information, see their website or call (330) 439-5708.

Dennison Railroad Depot Museum – Known as “Dreamsville, U.S.A.” by millions of U.S. servicemen who stopped at the Dennison Canteen during World Wars I and II, the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum recreates that period with historic displays housed within the depot and train cars. A café, gift shop and large model railroad display are on site. Polar Express Train Excursions are offered in December. 400 Center St., Dennison (740) 922-6776.

EnterTRAINment Junction – EnterTRAINment Junction is the world’s largest indoor model train display, with an interactive kids’ play area, American Railroading Museum and funhouse. 7379 Squire Ct., West Chester (877) 898-4656. (Note: This attraction was scheduled to close in January 2025)

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers passenger tour rides through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Fostoria Iron Triangle Rail Park – Iron Triangle Rail Park is a 5-acre tract directly inside the three double-track mainline freight rail lines that go through Fostoria. Open 24/7, this park provides a 360-degree viewing platform that allows one to experience the sights and sounds of the 100-plus trains that pass through Fostoria daily. Several historic depots and railroad structures are nearby. 499 S. Poplar St., Fostoria.

Gallipolis Railroad Freight Station Museum – Opened in 2022 in a 1901-era freight station, the Gallipolis Railroad Freight Station Museum features the station and several vintage railroad cars. 918 Third Ave., Gallipolis (740) 446-6882.

Great American Rail Trail – The Great American Rail Trail in Ohio is repurposed railroad right-of-way in two major areas in Ohio. More work is being done to create a seamless east-to-west route through Ohio. Currently, the major sections are:

• The Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail that extends nearly 91 miles from Zoarville in Tuscarawas County to Scranton Flats in Cuyahoga County.
• The Ohio to Erie Trail, composed of many trails that link Dayton and Columbus and extends to nearly connect to the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail.

The Great Steam Locomotive Museum – This museum and shop houses handmade model steam locomotives and features the impact and growth of American railroads. Also housed here is the Cambridge Wooden Toy Company with handmade wooden toys from yesteryear. 515 Dewey Ave., Cambridge (740) 432-3646.

Hocking Valley Scenic Railway – The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway provides three-hour tours through southeastern Ohio, starting at its main station at 33 W. Canal St., Nelsonville. Depot: (740) 753-9531, reservations: 855-32-DEPOT.

John H. Keller Memorial Railway Exhibit – On display in a train depot replica in Lincoln Park is a Nickel Plate Road S-3, 2-8-4, #779 Berkshire locomotive, NKP Caboose #1091, and NKP Business Car #5. The Lima Locomotive Works built 7,752 locomotives between 1879 and 1951. 199 S. Shawnee St., Lima (419) 221-5195.

Lebanon Mason & Monroe Railroad – Lebanon Mason & Monroe Railroad offers a variety of multiple-hour scenic train rides in the Warren County area. 16 E. South St., Lebanon (513) 933-8022.

Lorain & West Virginia Railway – Founded in 1993, the L&WVR operates excursion trains on more than 6 miles of track in Lorain County, extending from their main station in Wellington (6485 State Route 18) to Sheffield, preserving, operating and restoring equipment. The railway is run by the Lake Shore Railway Association, a non-profit organization run by volunteers. For information, call (440) 647-6660.

Mad River & NKP Railway Museum – The Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum has it all – steam and diesel locomotives, cabooses, freight and passenger cars, unique railcars and equipment and many displays on how railroading helped build our nation. 253 Southwest St., Bellevue (419) 483-2222.

Northern Ohio Railway Museum – The Northern Ohio Railway Museum has more than 40 streetcars, interurbans, rapid transit cars and other rolling stock. Most are either operable or will be restored for operation on a 3-mile demonstration railroad track. Open Saturdays only from May to October. 5515 Buffham Road, Seville (330) 769-5501.

Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc. – Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation offers quarter-scale train rides, a gift shop, a museum, a Lionel layout, an HO layout and a N scale layout. Their full-size rolling stock includes caboose, box car, and small diesel switch engine on display, plus a relocated railroad depot. 12505 CR 99, Findlay (419) 423-2995.

Ohio Railway Museum – Visit the Ohio Railway Museum for a fun day of exploration, education and trolley rides. Rides are offered on an historic streetcar and a Pullman passenger car. Museum displays include steam, electric and diesel locomotives, streetcars, interurbans and maintenance equipment. Open Sundays only. 990 Proprietors Road, Worthington (614) 885-7345.

Orrville Railroad Heritage Society – The Orrville Railroad Heritage Society offers the Orrville Union Depot Museum, 145 Depot St. in downtown Orrville, and train rides on three different types of cars – an open air passenger car and an open window passenger coach, or a small “speeder.” Train ride location is 2174 South Crown Hill Road, Orrville. (330) 683-2426.

The Smoke Stack Hobby Shop has over 45 years in the business of providing hobbyists with the right tools for their particular hobby. Stocks a huge selection of model railroading equipment in all scales, radio control, batteries, tools, paints and supplies, model kits, world building and more. 342 Lincoln Ave., Lancaster (740) 653-0404.

All rights reserved, copyright Dusty Tires (dusty-tires.com), 2023.