Open air car #501
Please note that ORHS operates two locations:
All on-rail events will be held at our ORHS Rail Yard located at 2174 S. Crown Hill Rd. in Orrville - between Scotts Miracle-Gro and Catrone Trucking.
The Orrville Union Depot Museum is located at 145 Depot Street in downtown Orrville. The Depot and gift shop will be open during all public events. The Depot will also be open from 10AM to 4PM during all of our rail events.
Maps to our locations are on our Contact page.
Train rides are about 40 minutes long. Speeder rides are about 15 minutes long.
All proceeds go towards maintaining our 1868 Orrville Union Depot and our rail yard facility and equipment. Ticket prices less online ticketing fees are tax deducible to the extent allowed by law. ORHS is a nonprofit 501(c)3 educational organization.
Scroll down to see our entire 2023 regularly scheduled rides or use the buttons below to jump to our other popular events:
Climb aboard our converted open air passenger car #501 and take a 40 minute ride throughout our rail facility and down to the bridge over North Fork Sugar Creek (the stream, not to be mistaken for the Village of Sugarcreek).
If the great outdoors is not to your liking, our 66 seat, open window coach #208, "Phanton", is also be available for up to 64 guests.
Do you want to see how it's done? How about riding the jump seat in the locomotive cab? Limited to 16 years and up.
Standard Pricing:
Pricing is $15 plus online ticketing fees per seat in open air car #501 (non-refundable) unless noted. This car holds a maximum of 28 guests. Pricing for the coach is $20 plus online ticketing fees per seat (also non-refundable) unless noted. The coach #208 holds a maximum of 66 guests. Pricing for the locomotive jump seat is $25 plus online ticketing fees. Some events have special pricing so scroll down for a look. Lap children under 2 years ride free.
Call for group rates or corporate rate for a day not on our schedule.
To book online when available, click or tap the button at the end of the schedule. Boarding for all rides begins 10 minutes prior to departure. Please note that the trains and speeders will run rain or shine.
Tickets for most events are available to be purchased online. Tickets for some events are available only on site. Please read the schedule carefully.
Rides are available at our rail yard on the following dates and times:
April 2023:
Saturday, 4/8, 2023, 10AM to 4PM
Easter Egg Hunt
This event is only at our rail yard. Do you have a little railfan at home? Bring the kids to meet the Easter Bunny! Take a speeder ride down to the bridge over Sugar Creek to look for Easter eggs. The Bunny will be there to meet you. This is a great photo opportunity in a setting like no other. Some special eggs may have a ticket for a free ride on our open air passenger car.
Tickets can be purchased only at our rail yard during this event. Speeders will run every half hour or as determined by demand. Please note that the speeders will run rain or shine.
Pricing is $6 per ticket, adult or child. $8 per ticket if paying by credit card. Lap children under two years are free.
The Union Depot Museum and Gift Shop will also be open until 4PM.
We hope to see you there.
Saturday, April 15, 2023, Noon to 3PM
Speeder Rides
One of our most popular rides! Get up close and personal with the railroad on a motor car, also known as a "speeder", from the boarding area to the current end of track past the bridge over the North Fork Sugar Creek. Motor cars were once the main transportation for track workers and materials in remote areas. The ride lasts about 15 minutes.
Tickets can be purchased only at our rail yard during the event. Speeders will run as determined by demand. Pricing is $5 per ticket, adult or child. $6 per ticket if paying by credit/debit card. Lap children under two years are free. The Union Depot Museum and Gift Shop will also be open 10AM to 4PM.
Saturday, 4/29. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Tickets are available online via etix.
May 2023:
Saturday, 5/13 is National Train Day celebration at ORHS. The Depot will also be open from 10AM to 4PM.
Featured at the Depot from 10AM to 4PM will be:
Live forging of railroad spikes and related railroad items with items for sale including knives, coat racks, bottle openers and more.
Model railroad flea market and toy train show.
O scale and HO scale layouts running inside the depot.
Gift shop coupons worth $2.00 off a $10.00 or more purchase at the Depot gift shop
Please note that Lerch's Donuts will not be at the depot. We are currently trying to get another food vender. We apologize for any inconvenience.
At the ORHS rail yard:
Speeder rides are running in the morning from 10AM to Noon on demand. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208 will run 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. All rides are first come, first served. Speeder prices are our standard $5 per ticket, adult or child. $6 per ticket if paying by credit/debit card. Discounted train ride tickets this day only are $10 for the open air car #550 and $15 for the open window coach #208. Tickets will be available only at our train yard.
Download the National Train Day flyer.
Saturday, 5/27. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Tickets are available online via etix.
June 2023
Saturday, 6/10. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Tickets are available online via etix.
Saturday, 6/24. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Tickets are available online via etix.
July 2023
Saturday, 7/8. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Tickets are available online via etix.
Saturday, 7/22. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Tickets are available online via etix.
August 2023
Saturday, 8/5. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Tickets are available online via etix.
Saturday, 8/19. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Tickets are available online via etix.
September 2023
Saturday, 9/2. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Tickets are available online via etix.
Saturday, 9/16 Speeder Rides. Noon to 3PM. Tickets can be purchased only at our rail yard during the event. $5 per seat, adult or child. $6 per seat via credit/debit card. Lap children under two years are free. Motor cars will run as determined by demand.
Saturday, 9/30. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Tickets are available online via etix.
October 2023 is Pumpkin Hayride Month. Discount prices and kids get a free small pumpkin!
Saturday, 10/7. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Discount pricing of $15 per seat plus fees for open air car #501 and $20 per seat plus fee in coach #208. Tickets are available online via etix.
Saturday, 10/14. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Discount pricing of $15 per seat plus fees for open air car #501 and $20 per seat plus fee in coach #208. Tickets are available online via etix.
Saturday, 10/21. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 11AM; 1PM; 2PM; 3PM. Discount pricing of $15 per seat plus fees for open air car #501 and $20 per seat plus fee in coach #208. Tickets are available online via etix.
Saturday, 10/28 Halloween Special. Train rides in open air car #501 and coach #208. 5PM; 6PM; 7PM; 8PM. Kids in costume get a Halloween treat bag. We'll also have a random drawing on each ride for a $25 gift certificate redeemable at our gift shop. Standard pricing of $15 per seat plus fees for open air car #501 and $20 per seat plus fee in coach #208. Tickets are available online via etix.
November 2023
Saturday, 11/11 Veterans Day Special. Join us for our flag dedication ceremony at 1:45PM by the Wayne County 555th Honors Detachment at our rail yard. Take a ride in coach #208. 1PM and 2:15PM, first come, first served. Discount pricing of $10 per seat available only at our rail yard. Vets with military ID or DD214 ride free!
Friday, 11/24. 5PM to 8PM. Home for the Holidays. Come to the Depot for a visit with Santa and a cup of cocoa. The Depot gift shop will also be open.
Saturday, 11/25. HO! HO! HO! SANTA TRAINS ARE BACK! Come ride with jolly Saint Nick at our rail yard. Bring the kids for a visit with Santa while riding in our coach. Refreshments will be served and kids get a goodie bag. Trains will run at 11AM; 1PM; 3PM; 5PM; and 7PM. Tickets are $30 per seat and are available online via etix. Lap children under 2 years ride free.
December 2023
Friday, 12/1. SANTA TRAINS. Come ride with jolly Saint Nick at our rail yard. Bring the kids for a visit with Santa while riding in our coach. Refreshments will be served and kids get a goodie bag. Trains will run at 11AM; 1PM; 3PM; 5PM; and 7PM. Tickets are $30 per seat and available online via etix. Lap children under 2 years ride free.
Saturday, 12/2. SANTA TRAINS. Come ride with jolly Saint Nick at our rail yard. Bring the kids for a visit with Santa while riding in our coach. Refreshments will be served and kids get a goodie bag. Trains will run at 11AM; 1PM; 3PM; 5PM; and 7PM. Tickets are $30 per seat and available online via etix. Lap children under 2 years ride free.
Saturday, 12/16. SANTA TRAINS. Come ride with jolly Saint Nick at our rail yard. Bring the kids for a visit with Santa while riding in our coach. Refreshments will be served and kids get a goodie bag. Trains will run at 11AM; 1PM; 3PM; 5PM; and 7PM. Tickets are $30 per seat and available online via etix. Lap children under 2 years ride free.
Boarding for all rides begins 10 minutes prior to departure. Please note that the rides will run rain or shine. Train rides are located at our rail yard at 2174 S. Crown Hill Rd. in Orrville - between Scotts Miracle-Gro and Catrone Trucking.
Train and Speeder Ride Terms & Conditions
All trains run at our DABO/ORHS facility located at 2174 S. Crown Hill Road, Orrville, Ohio 44667.
ORHS reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any rides as necessary.
ORHS will provide one (1) car host for each car.
Ride purchaser assumes all liability during the session.
Restrooms are NOT available on the rail cars. A portable toilet is on premise for use before and after the rides.
Pets or comfort animals are not permitted on ORHS railroad equipment.
Please note that the coach is vintage railroad equipment and is not ADA Compliant.
We do have an ADA compliant ramp to the open air car #501 but please note that the parking area is not pavement but compacted stone. Please take that into consideration if using walking aids or wheelchairs.
NO REFUNDS ON RIDES CANCELLED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE SCHEDULED SESSION.
All trains run rain or shine so dress appropriately.
Throttle Time is back! Throttle Time with the #471 sessions will resume starting in April 30, 2023.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to run a 2,000 horsepower locomotive? Or wanted to peek under the hood to see how it works? ORHS would like to give you the opportunity to do so. Your session will include a safety and operation orientation as well as a minimum of 30 minutes in the engineer's seat at the throttle. Expect your entire session to last one hour. You must be 18 years or older to purchase a session.
Includes an Honorary Engineer Certificate.
Sessions will be at the DABO/ORHS rail yard, 2174 S. Crown Hill Road, Orrville, Ohio 44667.
Pricing: Session pricing is $349 per qualified person through October 1 so get your order in soon. Add an additional hour to your session for $199.
Add a second person to your session for an additional $199 for two hours total for two people.
Take guests along in the open air car #501 during your session for FREE!
Available dates: Throttle Time is typically scheduled on Sundays from April 30 through October 1. Other days may be available based on our crew availability. To inquire or schedule a session, please call the depot at (330) 683-2426 and we'll get back to you. After receipt of your order, we'll call you to confirm a date and time.
Throttle Time on the #471 is not available for online booking. The information and order form can be downloaded below.
Would a full sized locomotive seem a bit too intimidating to operate? Then get close and personal with the track and try your hand at running a speeder. Speeders, officially known as motor cars or track cars, were used to haul personnel to remote locations for maintenance duties. Learn about how speeders work and take a spin down the track at the controls. Sessions are $50, last about an hour and you can bring two guests along to ride with you. And, you get to pick your "ride". We have four Fairmont A4 speeders to choose from.
Operators must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver's license or photo ID. Knowing how to drive a 4-speed manual transmission is very helpful but is not necessary.
Session must be booked no later than midnight the day before your session. This allows us to get your chosen speeder ready.
Available dates and times: June 17, July 15, August 12 and September 23. Time slots for each date are 10AM, 11AM, 1PM and 2PM. Additional times may be made available by calling the Depot.
Book your date, time and speeder on etix with the button below.
Available speeders:
We are once again a participant in Orrville's Home for the Holidays. Stop by Orrville Union Depot to see the completely redone interior of both main rooms with "new" displays, revealed artifacts not seen by the public ever, or at least in decades. Treat yourself to some fresh, hot Orr Theatre popcorn, find unique gifts in our gift shop, and consider gifting yourself a membership to be a part of what we do! We can even help you with an experience-themed gift for the person who has everything!
The Orrville Railroad Heritage Society will hold its 2023 Annual Membership Dinner on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 from 4:30PM-8PM, Location and menu to be determined.
Current members in good standing are encouraged to attend. A short business meeting and elections will take place. There will be time for socialization.
We hope to see you there.
145 Depot Street
PO Box 11
Orrville, Ohio 44667
© Copyright 2023 Orrville Railroad Heritage Society, Inc. - All Rights Reserved