The Depot Rail Museum’s “Spooktacular at The Depot” was a great way to spend an afternoon for all those train lovers out there. The Depot is a rail museum decked out with some beautiful old boxcars that patrons can tour during the Halloween event. Children were encouraged to dress up and they provided treat stations, tours of the cars and the depot, and a ride on The Scioto Valley Railroad, which is a 1/3 replica of a train. My kids had a great time. Totally worth $5 per person admission and $2 rides on the “little train.” Admission alone was worth the priceless expression on my son’s face when he saw the red caboose.
The Depot is an 1880s train depot that was originally from Brice, OH and transported to live just off Old Henderson Road. Ohio craftsman rebuilt the depot and they now host events such as meetings, weddings, work retreats, birthdays and so forth. The Depot also houses old railcars refurbished to their original glory, and seriously cool. Car 100 was by far a favorite. It was built in 1886 as a private executive car for the Ringling Bros., and has a parlor, dining room, bathrooms, and a kitchenette. Seemed like an elegant apartment on wheels.
We spent our time touring the cars, riding the small train, getting treats and just hanging out on the lawn in the middle of their “train campus.” Don’t miss it next
year if you have a train enthusiast in your life; but really, it is a great way to spend a fall family afternoon.
Missed the Spooktacular event and can’t wait until next year? The Depot Rail Museum is open for group tours, but they must be scheduled in advance (*Please see below for information I found on their site). Maybe a fun play group activity or birthday party?
The Depot Rail Museum
921 Old Henderson Road
Columbus, OH 43220
614-324-5930
All Aboard! Don’t forget:
- Mark your calendar for next year’s Spootacular event.
- Plan to eat beforehand, because there is candy for the kids and it is probably better to have growing food in them first.
- Bring water.
- Rail cars have tight walkways, so I suggest carrying your baby. A stroller could be pushed on the grounds and left outside of the rail cars, too.
- We’ve been on other trains, and I once saw a child fall and cut up her leg. Be sure to keep an eye on them, trains are fun when you don’t get hurt.
- Henderson Road area has tons of places to eat. Close to there is Honey Dip Donuts for diner food, Akai Hana for sushi, and many other places. Check out Yelp.com and search Upper Arlington for some choices.
From The Depot site:
“Group tours with the train ride last approximately one hour. The Depot Rail Museum is handicap accessible, has special bus parking (motor coaches, school buses, etc.), and provides a knowledgeable docent for your guided tour. Interested in having lunch during your visit? Please check out our “Hobo Box Lunch” or “Caboose Lunch” packages for groups of 20 or more and eat in our beautifully restored dining car or depot (tour admission is included & adds 1 additional hour to your visit). Meal packages must be scheduled 2 weeks in advance to your tour date.
TOUR RATES
Adults: $6.00 Seniors (over 60): $5.00 Children (ages 3‐12): $4.00 Children under 2: Free
Tours can be scheduled Monday through Saturday between 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Sunday tours available from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Payment due at time of arrival, The Depot accepts: cash, checks (payable to: The Depot), Visa and MasterCard. All group tours must be scheduled in advance, please contact us at 614‐324‐5930 or visit www.the‐depot.org. We look forward to hosting your next group outing……and remember to “Think Outside the Boxcar”.”
