Ohio Valentine's Train Rides!
Published: January 12, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Tucked into the rolling hills of Southeast Ohio, the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway (HVSR) offers one of the region’s most atmospheric ways to experience the Hocking Hills area: from the rhythmic click of jointed rail to the glow of vintage coaches rolling past the Hocking River Valley. Operating out of Nelsonville, HVSR is a volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) nonprofit that blends preservation with pure fun—classic weekend excursions, seasonal favorites, and special-event trains that turn a historic railroad into a year-round destination.
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway 0-6-0 #3, originally built by Baldwin in 1920 for the Beech Bottom Power Company. The locomotive was restored over a 14 year period, between 2001-2015.From salt and coal to a railroad lifeline
HVSR’s story begins long before “scenic railway” was even a phrase. In the mid-1800s, large coal deposits around Nelsonville fueled growth—and created a transportation problem. Wagons and canal boats were simply too slow for a booming extractive industry, so local interests pushed for a railroad. HVSR traces the route it operates today to the Mineral Railroad, founded in 1862 with ambitions to build from Columbus to Athens.
By 1867, the company had become the Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad, with construction ramping up and the line’s mission clearly defined: move the Hocking Valley’s salt and coal out to broader markets. Service expanded in phases—passenger trains reached Lancaster in 1869, and the first freight train from Nelsonville arrived in Columbus on August 17, 1869 (complete with a cannon on board fired as it approached towns along the route). Full service to Athens followed in 1870, and over time the system evolved into the Hocking Valley Railway by 1899—at one point described as the largest independent railroad located entirely within Ohio.
Like many regional lines, it ultimately became part of a larger network. HVSR notes that the Hocking Valley Railway merged into the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway on April 30, 1930, becoming the “Hocking Division.” Passenger service on lines east of Columbus ended on December 31, 1949, and as the 20th century wore on, depots vanished and traffic thinned. By the early 1980s, rail service through Nelsonville had come to an end.
A preservation-minded comeback: HVSR is born
What could have become a forgotten right-of-way instead became a living museum on steel wheels. HVSR has been providing family-friendly train rides since 1972, building an operation powered by volunteers and rooted in preservation and education.
Today, the railroad operates historic excursions from Nelsonville, positioned as an easy add-on to a Hocking Hills getaway. The HVSR site notes the track was originally built in 1869, and the modern organization has grown into a seasonal-and-special-events calendar that includes everything from robbery-themed rides to fall foliage, Santa trains, and more.
Present Day
Part of HVSR’s charm is that it doesn’t feel like an amusement ride—it feels like a railroad. The equipment roster is proudly old-school: HVSR notes it owns six vintage diesel locomotives (three operational) and one fully operational steam locomotive, with passenger cars spanning 1916 to the 1960s.
On typical runs, guests can choose enclosed coaches for comfort or—when the weather warms—open-air cars that put you closer to the sights, sounds, and scents of the valley. Seating policies vary by train, but HVSR also notes that on most trains seating is first-come, first-served, and that private charters and group arrangements are possible.
The signature “everyday” trip many visitors start with is the East Logan Round Trip Train Ride, described as a family-friendly excursion over a 150-plus-year-old right-of-way with views of the Hocking River and surrounding scenery.
Motive Power
HVSR’s locomotive lineup is a big part of its appeal—especially for railfans who love variety.
EMD GP7 No. 5833 (ex-Chesapeake & Ohio) is one of the headliners: built in October 1952, it represents the first generation of diesels that replaced steam on major railroads. HVSR notes it returned to C&O ownership for disposition in 1982 and was purchased by HVSR in 1986, with assistance from the C&O Railway Historical Society helping it retain a classic appearance.
Another operational road unit, GP10 No. 701, began life as an Illinois Central GP9 built in December 1957, then rebuilt at Paducah in January 1974 into GP10 form. HVSR acquired it in September 2003.
For switching and railroad chores, HVSR also operates RS-4-TC No. 4005, a compact Baldwin-built diesel constructed in 1954 for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Then there’s the crowd-pleaser: 0-6-0 steam locomotive No. 3. Built by Baldwin in March 1920 for the Beech Bottom Power Company, this coal-fired switcher later found a second life in preservation. HVSR notes it was donated in 1982, with restoration beginning in 2001 and completed in 2015—and today it powers occasional steam specials, delivering the sights and sounds that define classic railroading.
Valentine’s weekend 2026: Elegant Dinner Train, February 14–15
For couples looking to trade the usual restaurant reservation for something more memorable, HVSR is putting romance on the rails in 2026. The railway’s website notes that its Valentine’s Dinner Trains are scheduled for February 14–15, 2026.
While exact menus can vary by date, HVSR’s “Elegant Dinner Train” concept is designed around an evening of fine dining in vintage railroad ambiance—white-tablecloth vibes, softly lit coaches, and the gentle sway of the train as it rolls through the backcountry. HVSR’s Elegant Dinner Train listings describe “fine dining” aboard a “beautifully appointed” dinner train traveling through Southeast Ohio.
A helpful reference point is HVSR’s published format for its January 2026 Elegant Dinner Train: a roughly three-hour round trip departing at 6 p.m., featuring a four-course dinner served en route. (That structure—multi-course dining on a timed excursion—gives a good sense of what riders can typically expect from HVSR’s elegant dinner experiences, even when menus change for holidays.)
A few practical notes matter for planning. HVSR states that, due to the antique nature of the cars, its dinner trains are not wheelchair accessible. And, as with many heritage operations, motive power is subject to change—part of the charm of historic equipment, but worth remembering if you’re hoping for a specific locomotive.
How to make the most of it
If you’re building a Valentine’s weekend around the railroad, consider pairing the dinner train with an afternoon in Nelsonville—browsing the historic downtown, grabbing coffee, and arriving early enough to soak up depot atmosphere before departure. And if you’re visiting from out of town, it’s easy to turn the trip into a full getaway by combining HVSR with nearby Hocking Hills hiking and cabins.
In a region known for nature and small-town charm, the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway adds something rarer: the feeling of stepping into motion-picture railroading that still moves—not behind glass, but out on the line. Whether you’re chasing steam, introducing kids to their first train ride, or celebrating Valentine’s Day with an elegant dinner on the rails, HVSR proves that Ohio’s coal-country railroad heritage still has places to go. To learn more about their Elegant Dinner Train and other excursions please click here.
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