A trolley built over a century ago rolls into the dark with jump scares, blinding flashes, and billowing smoke on board. That’s a real October night ride in Ohio, and it’s run entirely by volunteers.
I love that the same tracks also host a gentler Halloween ride for little ones. That one heads to a pumpkin patch, and kids pick their own pumpkin.
So the spooky season here comes in two flavors. Older kids and teens can brave the scary one, while preschoolers get crafts, treats, and costume fun.
I can’t imagine a better way to make history feel exciting. Old streetcars, cabooses, and locomotives sit waiting for curious hands and wide eyes. The only real question is which ride your crew is brave enough to board first.
1. The Ghost Trolley Brings Real Chills After Dark
Smoke rolls through the aisle as the lights flash and something jumps out of the shadows. Welcome to the Ghost Trolley at The Ohio Railway Museum, the scariest way to ride a rail line in Worthington.
The museum calls this ride darker, more intense, and filled with surprises. Expect spine-jarring jump scares, disorienting sounds, blinding flashes of light, and plenty of smoke effects.
Here’s the honest part, though. The museum says the Ghost Trolley is not suited for young children, so think teens and brave older kids.
The Ghost Trolley has traditionally offered nighttime rides on select October dates, with timed departures for guests ready to brave the darkness. Check the museum’s latest event calendar before planning your visit, since dates and availability can change from year to year.
Beyond the scares, you’ll find themed decorations, snacks, and photo spots. Those pictures make great proof that your family survived the ride.
Book a timed slot ahead and dress warmly for an Ohio October evening. Then hold on tight, because this old trolley still knows how to make hearts race.
2. Little Ones Get Their Own Not-Scary Pumpkin Ride
Tiny pirates and pint-sized princesses deserve Halloween fun too. The Pumpkin Patch Express was built just for them, and the museum promises it is not scary.
Kids board a trolley for a ride out to a pumpkin patch. Once there, children ages 2 to 13 can pick out a pumpkin to take home, included with their ticket.
The fun keeps going back at the museum grounds. You’ll find crafts, seasonal treats, and trick-or-treating stations spread throughout the property.
Costumes are encouraged for everyone, including grown-ups. Volunteers dress up too, which adds to what the museum calls Halloween magic.
For 2026, rides are scheduled on October 10 and 11, 17 and 18, and 24 and 25. Each ride lasts about 45 minutes.
Departures run between 11:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. That daytime window works nicely around naps and snack schedules.
My tip? Let your kids pick the costume early, then plan a matching family theme. A trolley full of superheroes is hard to beat.
This event gives younger children a cheerful first taste of spooky season. Nobody needs a nightlight afterward.
3. Your Ticket Includes Unlimited Rides On Old Streetcars
Unlimited rides. Those two words make any kid perk up, and they apply here during regular season.
General admission at The Ohio Railway Museum includes full museum access. It also covers unlimited standard train rides during the regular season. In 2026, those rides featured Canadian National Coach No. 5060, pulled by U.S.
Army No. 7178.
Each ride covers a two-mile round trip. That’s long enough to feel the clack of the rails and short enough for wiggly riders.
Regular hours run on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The season typically lasts from May through September.
Tickets for general admission are sold at the gate. Want something extra? Cab rides and speeder rides are available with separate tickets at the depot.
A cab ride sounds like a dream for any future engineer. Imagine your kid grinning from the front of a real rail car.
Plan your visit with a little breathing room. Explore the grounds between rides, then hop back on for another round.
Summer Saturdays here offer a simple, low-key outing with real history built in. Easy fun is sometimes the best kind.
4. Climb Aboard A Collection That Spans Generations
Steam engines, diesel locomotives, cabooses, and a railway post office car all share these grounds. It’s like a family reunion for every kind of train.
The collection also includes vintage streetcars, interurbans, and passenger cars. Each one shows a different chapter of how people and mail once moved.
Historic railroad buildings round out the scene. You’ll spot a freight depot, a section house, and a scale house.
The museum aims to share the sights, sounds, and stories of railroading. It also highlights the big role railroads played in Ohio and national history.
A railway post office car is a fun one to explain to kids. Workers once sorted mail on board while the train kept rolling.
Talk about multitasking. No wonder those cars needed so many little slots and shelves.
Ask questions as you explore, because volunteers keep this whole place running. Their love for trains is the reason these cars are still here.
Bring a curious mind and comfy shoes. There’s plenty of steel and history to admire.
5. Meet The Interurban That Started Everything
Back in 1905, a builder finished an electric car that would one day become a museum’s first treasure. That car is Ohio Public Service Interurban Car #21.
It was the very first piece The Ohio Railway Museum acquired. Today it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
That’s a big honor for a rail car. Not many vehicles get the same status as famous buildings and landmarks.
Interurbans were electric cars that linked towns and cities together. Before highways took over, they helped folks get to work, school, and shopping.
Another star is CD&M parlor car #501, nicknamed The Red Bird. Parlor cars were the fancy seats of their day.
Then there’s Norfolk and Western No. 578. It’s an E2a Pacific class steam locomotive with plenty of old-school muscle.
Kids love a good nickname, so start with The Red Bird. It makes a fine hook for a quick history lesson.
Each of these pieces carries a story worth hearing. Seeing them in person beats any textbook photo.
6. The Tracks Under Your Seat Have Their Own Story
Long before the museum arrived, electric cars already hummed along this exact route. The rides here follow part of the old Columbus, Delaware and Marion railbed.
That line was built in 1901. It carried both passengers and freight until 1933.
So when you ride today, you’re tracing a path people used more than a century ago. Pretty cool for a Saturday afternoon.
The museum itself has deep roots too. Its story began in 1945 with the Central Ohio Railfan’s Association.
The Ohio Railway Museum was founded in 1948. It’s known as one of the oldest railway museums in the country.
Think about that for a moment. Volunteers have kept this dream rolling for over 75 years.
Share this with kids before you board. A simple history fact can turn an ordinary ride into a time-travel adventure.
Ask them to picture riders in old hats heading to Columbus. Then let the trolley do the rest of the storytelling.
7. Volunteers Keep Every Wheel Turning Here
Not one paid staff member runs this place. The Ohio Railway Museum operates entirely through the work of volunteers.
That means the conductors, guides, and even the costumed characters at Halloween give their time freely. Every spooky scare comes from someone who simply loves this museum.
Restoring old rail cars takes serious patience. Wood, steel, and paint all need care to bring these machines back to life.
Volunteer power also explains the homegrown charm of the events. These rides feel personal because real neighbors built them.
Your visit helps too. Admission and event tickets support the museum’s ongoing preservation work.
Got a teen who loves trains or tools? The museum welcomes volunteers, and that could be a meaningful way to learn new skills.
Say thanks to the folks you meet along the way. A kind word goes a long way for people giving up their weekends.
Every saved rail car stands as proof of what a dedicated group can do. That’s a lesson worth taking home.
8. Mark Your Calendar Because Steam Is Coming Back
Fifty years is a long time to wait for a puff of steam. In May 2027, that wait finally ends at the museum.
Steam will return to the rails for two special weekends. The dates are May 8 and 9, and May 15 and 16.
The event, called Steam Returns to the ORM, celebrates 200 years of American railroading. That’s a birthday worth a big party.
For kids who only know trains from cartoons, this could be huge. Seeing a real steam engine in action feels like a storybook come alive.
Steam locomotives powered much of Ohio’s growth. Their whistles once echoed through countless small towns.
Plan early, since a first in half a century will likely draw interest. Keep an eye on the museum’s announcements as the date nears.
Bring a camera and maybe earmuffs for little listeners. Steam engines rarely whisper.
Honestly, I can’t think of a better reason to circle a weekend on the calendar. History is literally getting fired up.
9. Getting There Is Easier Than Catching A Train
Just north of Columbus, a quiet road leads to a yard full of rail treasures. You’ll find the museum at 990 Proprietors Road, Worthington, OH 43085.
That close-to-the-city spot makes it a smart pick for central Ohio families. No long road trip required, and no tired toddlers melting down in the back seat.
Remember the schedule before you go. Regular hours run Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., typically May through September.
Outside that season, special events fill the calendar. Fall and winter both bring themed happenings to the tracks.
Grab general admission at the gate when you arrive. Extra experiences like cab or speeder rides get ticketed at the depot.
Some cars may involve climbing steps to explore. Wear sturdy shoes and plan a bit of extra help for small kids.
Pair your trip with lunch in town for an easy, full day. The Ohio Railway Museum makes a fun anchor for any Worthington outing.
All aboard, and enjoy the ride.
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