Ohio is located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It’s known for its diverse landscape, ranging from rolling plains to large cities and the shores of Lake Erie. Columbus, the state capital, is a vibrant city known for its cultural attractions, including the Columbus Museum of Art and the Ohio Statehouse. Ohio has a rich industrial history, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture. There are many trains in Ohio – long-distance trains, miniature railways and scenic trains.
In the past, three railway lines – the Nickel Plate, Cincinatti Northern and Erie Lackawama – crossed in a tight space in Ohio City.
Long-distance trains in Ohio
There are two long-distance passenger trains in Ohio operated by Amtrak – Capitol Limited and Cardinal. Amtrak has six stations in Ohio:
Alliance (ALC)
Cincinatti (CIN)
Cleveland (CLE)
Elyria (ELY)
Sandusky (SKY)
Toledo (TOL)
The Cardinal train has only one stop in Ohio. Passengers from Cincinatti can easily travel to major cities including Chicago, Indianapolis, Washington D.C. and New York City.
The Capital Limited train from Washington D.C. to Chicago stops at five stations in Ohio.
The major cities of Columbus, Akron and Dayton do not have Amtrak service. Columbus is the second largest metropolitan area in the U.S. without passenger rail service.
The passenger service from Columbus and Dayton, National Limited train, was ceased in 1979. The city of Akron lost passenger service in 2005 with the termination of the Three Rivers.
Commuter trains in Ohio
Only Cleveland in Ohio has metro and commuter trains. RTA Rapid Transit is a rapid transit and light rail system owned and operated by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority.
There are four train lines in Cleveland. Three heavy rail lines share their tracks with light rail.
The Red Line was built from 1955 to 1968. . It serves Cleveland’s southwest suburbs, with its southwestern terminus at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Heading northeast, the Red Line serves University Circle before heading to its northeastern terminus at the Louis Stokes Station at Windermere in East Cleveland. Extension to airport was opened in 1968. The Red Line was the first rail system in the Northern Hemisphere to connect downtown to an airport with Rapid Transit.
The Blue Line, Green Line and Waterfront Line are light-rail lines. They serve 34 stations on 31 miles of one-way track, from the Eastern Suburbs to the Tower City Station. The Waterfront Line was put into operation in 1996.
RTA Rapid Transit – timetable
Cleveland had a subway line crossing the Cuyahoga River on the lower-deck of Detroit-Superior Bridge connecting Ohio City and downtown Cleveland. Currently, it is open only for historical walking tours.
Tourist trains in Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway – a very popular tourist railway located in Northeast Ohio. Vintage trains run between Rockside and Akron through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (42 km). Trains operate from Wednesday to Sunday in July and August. There are three classes of cars available, including a bike-carrying car. The one-way journey takes two hours but there are shorter trips. Trains are usually diesel hauled.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway – official website
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway – a tourist railway operating since 1972. Trains run between Nelsonville and Logan (18 km). Shorter trips are available. Trains consist diesel locomotives from the 1950s and 1970s and passenger carriages produced between 1917 and 1960. Ocassionally steam trains hauled by an authentic 1920 coal-fired steam locomotive are available.
Hocking Valley Scenic Railways – official website
Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad – heritage trains in Warren county consisting of a diesel locomotive and vintage cars run between downtown Lebanon and outskirts of Mason. The eight-kilometer route is very scenic and allows passengers to experience the atmosphere of bygone days. The train runs during most weekends of the year, as well as select weekdays. Dining trains are available.
Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad – official website
Lorain & West Virginia Railway – a tourist railway between the suburbs of Wellington and Oberlin (10 km), managed by an association that operates a 30-kilometer section of the inactive Lorain & West Virginia Railroad line. Operations first began in 1993. There are plans to extend the rides in the future. Trains run a once or twice a month from April to December,
Lorain & West Virginia Railway – official website
Orrville Railroad Heritage Society – a railway enthusiast association that organizes vintage train rides several times a year on short routes near Orrville. Train rides are about 40 minutes long. Trains usually run from Orville to the bridge over North Fork Sugar Creek. Sometimes passengers are carried by a historic motor car, also known as a “speeder” – the ride lasts 15 minutes.
Orrville Railroad Heritage Society – official website
Zanesville and Western Scenic Railroad – a tourist railway located in Southeast Ohio offers passenger train excursions on an exceptionally scenic and historic rail line known as the Glass Rock Spur. 40 minutes round trip from Mount Perry. Trains run from the first weekend in August through the last weekend of October plus some additional dates in November and December.
Zanesville and Western Scenic Railroad – official website
Narrow-gauge railways in Ohio
Carillon Park Railroad – a narrow-gauge railway in Carillon Historic Park in Dayton. Nearly mile long route (1,5 km). Trains are hauled by a replica 1851 locomotive. There is also a miniature railway in the Carillon Historic Park (190 mm)
Carillon Park Railroad – official website
Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad – a 914 mm narrow-gauge railroad 3 km long in Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky. It operates daily from mid-May to October. Trains are hauled by an authentic coal-fired steam locomotive. The train carry passengers along a circle track in the back section of the park.
Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad – official website
Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad – a 914 mm narrow-gauge railway in Kings Island theme park in Mason. Total length of the route is 1,6 km . The ride takes 8 minutes. Park is open weekends from mid April to October, daily from early May to mid August. Trains are hauled by two scale replicas of the famous 1800’s locomotive known as The General. The railway line was opened in 1972.
Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad – official website
Narrow-gauge railway around shopping mall in Lodi was dismantled in 2021.
Railroads museums in Ohio
There are three major railroad museums in Ohio
Ohio Railroad Museum – a museum located in Worthington near Columbus. It was founded in 1948 and is one of the oldest railroad museum in USA. The museum is designed to educate through displays and demonstrations, the role and effect of the railroads in the life of the people and businesses of Ohio and the United States. The museum operates heritage museum line on the former Columbus, Delaware and Marion railbed and right-of-way.
Ohio Railroad Museum – official website
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum – a museum housed in a historic railway station located at 400 Center Street in Dennison. The Depot is fully restored and now houses a museum, restaurant, Panhandle Theater and Whistle Stop Railway Gift Shop. There are displays about railroad history, model railroad and visitors can see old passenger carriages and locomotives. The museum sometimes organize excursions from Dennison to Newcomerstown on a lines of the Ohio Central Railroad.
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum – official website
There is a small Northern Ohio Railway Museum located in Seville. Museum open Saturdays from late May to September, on two Sundays each month offers rides within the museum grounds on historic streetcars.
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Railways in the United States of America by state
