Next stop: Orrville Railroad Heritage Society Days 2018
Railroad Days in Orrville will be Aug. 17-18 and will feature plenty of activities designed specifically for the kids. From contests and activities to watching all kinds of model trains in action, there should be plenty to see and do during the two-day event.
Years ago, as a child, Kathy Green used to love going to the train yard and watching the B&O roll by as it clickity-clacked along the rails. She said she and her dad would sit and watch for hours. She also said that when she and her friends would be outside playing and suppertime rolled around and they heard the beckoning of the train as it barreled into town, they all knew that meant it was nearly time to eat.
“The train would roll through and then turn around, and if you were still outside much longer after that second train whistle sounded, you could just about forget supper,” said Green, Orrville Depot treasurer. “Those are wonderful memories, and there is still something very nostalgic and heart-warming about trains for a lot of people.”
Those are beautiful, peaceful memories for Green, and her desire is that the Orrville Depot can help stir up those memories in adults while introducing the joy of trains to today’s youth.
Do you miss the nostalgic, mournful wail of the old freight train’s whistle as it gently cascades through the night air? Does the chug, chug, chug of the wheels of the iron horse on the railway send you back in time to the joys of childhood?
If so, you won’t want to miss the upcoming celebration of Railroad Days at the historic Orrville Union Depot at 145 Depot St. in Orrville.
In conjunction with the Orrville Lion’s Club Rib Burn Off, the depot will open Friday, Aug. 17 from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for what should be a fantastic time of fondly remembering a time when the railways played a central role in transportation in America.
“With this being the depot’s 150th anniversary, we wanted to go all out and create some unique opportunities to explore trains,” Green said. “We are even creating a quiet space where the public can just sit and watch the trains as they roll by.”
Patrons can take a step back in time to the days on the Pennsylvania Railroad as they tour the depot and help celebrate 150 years of rail service. That experience will include model railroading at its finest. Model trains of all sizes will be running, and it is quite possible that visitors might even get an opportunity to take a turn at the throttle of these miniature trains.
“We will have model trains of every gage, and all of the museum pieces will be open for viewing,” Green said.
Green said one thing they have focused on is providing plenty of entertainment for the children because this is one way they reintroduce trains into the world today.
The public can enjoy Kids Korner on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., where the outdoor platform will bustle with activities for kids of all ages. There will even be a shaded space to relax and watch trains.
“We wanted to create a venue for grandma and grandpa or mom and dad to bring their children and share their experiences and memories,” Green said. “There’s something kind of mesmerizing about trains that draws people back in time. I think a lot of adults have memories connected to trains.”
She added that the event also will serve as a way to let the public know that the depot is still very much a part of the Orrville landscape.
Done in conjunction with the Orrville Lion’s Club Rib Burn Off and music festival, there will be an auto cruise-in on Friday evening and a rib burn-off, arts and crafts show, and plenty of other kids’ activities on Saturday. Live music from many genres will be performed throughout the event.
Bring the entire family to this unique step back into time.
All activities at the depot are free, but donations will gladly be accepted to further the preservation of Orrville railroad history.
While there will be plenty to do and see, there will not be train or speeder car rides at this event. For the most up-to-date information about this event, follow the depot on Facebook or visit www.orrvillerailroad.com.