RIDE THE RAILS DURING A VISIT TO OHIO’S MOST UNIQUE WHISTLE STOP

05-02-2008

 

Nelsonville, Ohio – May 1, 2008 – Hocking Valley Scenic Railway has unique offerings not available at any other whistle stop. 

Tucked back in the rolling hills of Southeast Ohio Appalachia, there’s more than just nature’s beauty in the midst of this leisurely scenic railway. Nearby the Nelsonville depot, there’s an eatery where train enthusiasts like to grab a bite before boarding time. Sometime the air is filled with lively railroading stories. Go ahead, interrupt and ask your questions, they don’t mind. It’s all part of that Hocking Valley charm. 

Before crossing the tracks to the old-time depot to purchase your boarding pass, be sure to take advantage of the photo opps that abound. Stroll among railroad history and see lines of coaches, cabooses and engines depicting the eras of railroads past. But before time slips away, or the train sells-out, be sure to get your ticket.  

Inside the old depot is a mini museum displaying railroad artifacts. In addition to holiday trains and the ever-popular specialty trains offered throughout the year, two excursions are offered regularly on weekends from April to November.  

1.      Roundtrip to Haydenville spanning one hour and 45 minutes departing at Noon.

2.      Roundtrip to Logan spanning two hours and 15 minutes departing at 2:30 pm.

Beginning May 24, 2008 both of these trains make stops at Robbins Crossing where period-dressed volunteers bring the Pioneer Village to life complete with fiddles and banjos rock’n the porch of a log house to the blacksmiths at work in their authentic shop.  

All aboard the cars, some dating back to the 1920s, pulled by one of several diesel engines. Yes, there’s a caboose. In fact, there’s a caboose train too but we’ll get to that later. Passengers get to choose from open-air coaches or enclosed, which come heated in winter, which is important for the Santa trains.  

And now, sit back and enjoy the relaxing ride through the countryside. The engineer will let you know when to look left or right for the points of interest. In the meantime, gaze at the forest and lakes and the backdrop of rolling Hocking Hills. You even get to go over rivers and streams on a couple of train bridges. Near the halfway point, the train will stop, no it isn’t being robbed by bandits, that treat is saved for the robbery trains. Instead, it is to treat everyone to a sight not often seen. The train is about to reverse direction but instead of traveling backward, the engine is detached, slowly riding along side everyone on adjacent track and reconnected.  

Along the way to Robbins Crossing you’ll pass the old train yard where would-be retired engines, coaches and cabooses are restored to their former glory complete with new seats and fresh paint but that’s the easy part. Some need massive overhauls of their mechanical parts and bodies. This railway is full of surprises! 

Now about those specialty trains (make your reservation well in advance):

·         Murder Mystery Trains: Ride the rails of murder on the Hocking Express. "Cirque du Murder" is on Saturday, May 31. The train departs at 11:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Then on August 2 and 3, hop aboard for “Tony & Tina’s Murder". This murder-mystery train departs Saturday, August 2, at 11:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. and again Sunday, August 3 at 2:45pm.
 

·         Great Train Robbery: Perhaps the friendliest train robbery in history will take place June 14 and again in September 20, 2008. The train is actually stopped by bandits on horseback riding upside it guns a blaz’n and determined to bag some loot from the passengers onboard. Don't despair, play money will be handed out to everyone onboard.
 

·         Wine & Cheese Train: Ride the rails in class Friday, June 20 at 7pm and enjoy a wine and cheese party.
 

·         Caboose Train: If you love cabooses, then this special is definitely for you. This train is comprised completely of "cabeese" on August 30 at 11am. It promises to be the most colorful train you’ve ever been on.
 

·         Fall Foliage Trains: One train will run each Thursday and Friday at 1:30 pm. from October 2 – 31, 2008. These weekday trains are in addition to the regular weekend schedule.  
 

·         Santa Trains: Ride with Santa on the train!  Enjoy the onboard narration of Christmas poems and festive music. Santa visits with each child on the train and one of his elves provides a special candy treat.  Make this year's Christmas season a memorable one. In fact, make reservations soon for November 29-30, December 6-7, 13-14, and 20-21.

While you’re in town, you may want to stay a while and see: 

·         Historic Dew Hotel, where President Roosevelt, President Taft, President McKinley, and President Harding all made campaign stops. I wonder how they got there?
 

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