Orrville, OH
Orrville Railroad Heritage Society
4.8· 24 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-23- TypeVolunteer-run railroad heritage society with seasonal rail-yard train and speeder rides
- LocationOrrville, OH
- Rating4.8 ★24 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Oct 3
- Tickets & faresThe society publishes train tickets as non-refundable and reserves the right to cancel or reschedule rides
- ReservationsMost train events use Etix, while some speeder and community events sell only on site; read the selected event before travel
About Orrville Railroad Heritage Society
Orrville Railroad Heritage Society is a volunteer-run nonprofit that preserves Orrville's railroad history and offers seasonal public train and speeder rides at its separate South Crown Hill Road rail yard. Standard event trains travel through the rail facility toward the North Fork Sugar Creek bridge and ordinarily last about 40 to 45 minutes. The society also maintains the 1868 Orrville Union Depot downtown, but 2026 depot hours are restricted by adjacent park construction. The selected event page, Etix inventory, weather, maintenance, staffing, and the day's operating plan control what actually runs.
Build an Orrville Railroad Day
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies, first-time riders, railroad-history travelers, and visitors seeking the standard rail-yard experience
Ride an ordinary event train
Choose the open-air car, coach, caboose, or limited locomotive jump seat where published, then protect the fixed departure time and rail-yard address.
Families, fall travelers, younger children, and repeat visitors
Take a Pumpkin Hayride
Use the October 3, 17, or 31 event page for 11 a.m., 1 p.m., or 2 p.m. trains and the current small-pumpkin offer for children.
Families, multigenerational groups, holiday visitors, and travelers who need a reserved time
Ride with Santa
Book the selected November or December departure early, arrive for the special 20-minute boarding window, and review the $30 fare and holiday inclusions.
Adult railfans, licensed older teens, repeat visitors, and hands-on equipment enthusiasts
Try Throttle Time
Compare the age-18 full-size locomotive session with the age-16 speeder edition; both require advance arrangements and carry different driving rules.
Wheelchair users, companions, caregivers, and visitors planning around walking or transfer needs
Plan for wheelchair boarding
Contact ORHS about open-air car 501's ramp and assistance needs, and account for the compacted-stone lot and coach 208's no-ADA boundary.
Architecture travelers, railroad historians, museum visitors, and non-riding companions
Visit the Union Depot separately
Call before going to the 145 Depot Street museum because 2026 construction limits its hours and rail-yard ride tickets do not establish depot access.
History travelers, families, architecture visitors, museum-goers, and full-day planners
Add Wayne County history
Pair the train with the independent eight-building historical-society campus in Wooster when its Saturday tour window fits the selected departure.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- ArriveBoarding for most rides begins 10 minutes before departure; Riding with Santa boards 20 minutes before departure
- ParkingThe rail-yard parking surface is compacted stone rather than pavement; no official capacity or oversize-vehicle guarantee is published
- WeatherThe society says rides operate rain or shine, so dress for open-window or open-air equipment and verify any severe-weather update
- RestroomsThere are no restrooms aboard the rail cars; a portable toilet is available at the rail yard before and after rides
- RideStandard public trains are described as roughly 40 to 45 minutes through the ORHS rail facility toward the bridge over North Fork Sugar Creek; speeder-ride duration varies by event
- Rail YardAll train, speeder, and Throttle Time activity boards at 2174 S. Crown Hill Road, not at the downtown Union Depot
- Remaining 2026 ScheduleThe checked official calendar lists train rides September 5, a Horn Blast ride September 19, Pumpkin Hayrides October 3, 17, and 31, and Riding with Santa on seven dates through December 19
- Standard FaresOrdinary published pricing is $15 plus online fees for open-air car 501, $20 plus fees for coach 208 or caboose 21032, and $25 plus fees for the locomotive jump seat; special events differ
- ChildrenLap children age two and under ride free on ordinary trains; event-specific age and ticket rules can differ
- ReservationsMost train events use Etix, while some speeder and community events sell only on site; read the selected event before travel
- Wheelchair AccessOpen-air car 501 has an ADA-compliant ramp, but the compacted-stone parking surface can be difficult; vintage coach 208 is explicitly not ADA-compliant
- PetsPets and comfort animals are not permitted on ORHS railroad equipment; contact the society before travel for a specific service-animal accommodation question
- TicketsThe society publishes train tickets as non-refundable and reserves the right to cancel or reschedule rides
- DepotThe 1868 Union Depot museum is at 145 Depot Street and has restricted 2026 hours; call to arrange a visit rather than assuming it is open with every rail-yard ride
- TimezoneAll published event and boarding times use Eastern Time
Find the Depot
The Trains
The current public consist can include open-air passenger car 501, 66-seat open-window coach 208, and New York Central caboose 21032. Official event pages also offer a limited locomotive jump seat. EMD GP7u 471 is the society's principal full-size locomotive and appears in current ride and Throttle Time material. ALCO RSD1 805 remains described on the equipment page as under restoration, despite a special 2026 appearance, and therefore is not promised for a selected ride. ORHS also maintains Fairmont and other motorcars used for speeder rides. Event inventory, inspection, maintenance, staffing, and the day's operating plan control every assignment.
History
The Pennsylvania Railroad predecessor built the surviving Orrville Union Depot at a busy junction.
Local railroad enthusiasts formed the Orrville Railroad Heritage Committee.
The organization incorporated as a nonprofit historical and educational entity.
The committee purchased and began restoring the Union Depot and interlocking tower.
The committee adopted the Orrville Railroad Heritage Society name.
ORHS ended its mainline excursion era, acquired the DABO rail facility, and moved its equipment to the current rail yard.
See full history
The organization began in 1978 as the Orrville Railroad Heritage Committee and incorporated as a nonprofit educational organization in 1980. It purchased and restored the 1868 Orrville Union Depot and signal tower in 1982, operated mainline excursions for decades, and adopted its present name in 1992. Mainline excursions ended in 2015 when ORHS acquired the DABO rail facility and moved its equipment there. Today's shorter rail-yard rides support preservation of the depot, property, and collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the train rides board?
All train, speeder, and Throttle Time events board at the ORHS rail yard, 2174 S. Crown Hill Road. The downtown Union Depot is a separate museum location.
How long is the ride?
The society describes ordinary train rides as roughly 40 to 45 minutes. Speeder and special-event durations vary, so use the selected event description.
How much is a standard ticket?
Ordinary published pricing is $15 plus fees for open-air car 501, $20 plus fees for coach 208 or caboose 21032, and $25 plus fees for the locomotive jump seat. Special events differ.
Are the rides wheelchair-accessible?
Open-air car 501 has an ADA-compliant ramp, but the parking surface is compacted stone and vintage coach 208 is not ADA-compliant. Contact ORHS before travel when access controls the trip.
Are there restrooms on the train?
No. The society says there are no onboard restrooms; a portable toilet is available at the rail yard before and after rides.
Can I bring a pet?
Pets and comfort animals are not permitted on ORHS railroad equipment. Contact the society directly for a service-animal accommodation question.
Do rides run in rain?
The official terms say trains run rain or shine. Verify any severe-weather update and dress for open-window or open-air equipment.
Is the Union Depot open with every ride?
No. The depot museum is at 145 Depot Street and has restricted hours during 2026 construction. Call to arrange a visit.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 23, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official homepage for organizational identity, public events, depot address, telephone, and 2026 updates
- Official 2026 event page for rail-yard address, ride duration, fares, future dates, boarding, access, pets, weather, and ticket terms
- Official 2026 long-form schedule PDF for a stable first-party date record
- Official equipment page for locomotive, motorcar, passenger-car, caboose, and restoration boundaries
- Official history page for formation, depot acquisition, former excursions, and the 2015 rail-yard transition
- Official Union Depot page for 1868 history, restoration, museum use, restricted access, and separate location
- Official contact page for both-location maps and current contact
- First-party-linked Etix venue for current public ticket inventory
- Exact 1988 Orrville train image and public-domain rights record
- Exact 2008 central Orrville image and CC BY 3.0 rights record
- Exact 2012 aerial Orrville image and CC BY-SA 2.0 rights record
- Exact 1909 Pennsylvania Railroad yard image and public-domain record
- Exact 1884 Orrville Sanborn map and public-domain record
- Checked road route for the local companion planning estimate
