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An Ohio Christmas Train Ride In Nelsonville!

Published: November 6, 2025

By: Adam Burns

The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is one of Ohio’s most enduring and beloved heritage railroads, a volunteer-powered nonprofit that has been introducing generations of visitors to the story of coal, clay, and railroading in the Hocking Valley for more than half a century. Based in Nelsonville, the railway operates over former Hocking Valley Railway (later Chesapeake & Ohio) track, offering seasonal excursions that blend regional history with the simple joy of riding classic passenger cars through the rolling hills and river bottoms of southeastern Ohio. Among its most popular offerings is the Santa Train, a Christmastime tradition that sells out year after year and has become a cornerstone of the region’s holiday festivities.

Origins: from coal road to community heirloom
Long before it hosted holiday excursions, the line that the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway uses was a hard-working artery of Ohio’s industrial heartland. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Hocking Valley Railway knit together coal mines, brick and tile plants, and small towns from the Hocking Hills to larger markets. The railroad’s coal trains and mixed freights fueled furnaces, powered factories, and carried the products of the valley’s clay industry. Eventually, the Hocking Valley became part of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. As regional industry changed and highway competition increased in the mid-20th century, portions of the line saw declining traffic and, ultimately, abandonment.

Rather than let this piece of regional heritage fade away, local rail enthusiasts, civic leaders, and history-minded volunteers organized in the early 1970s to save a segment for excursion use. That grassroots spirit—neighbors rolling up their sleeves to preserve track, restore equipment, and staff trains—has been the organization’s hallmark ever since. The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway launched its first runs soon after, anchoring operations in Nelsonville and methodically rebuilding the line to host reliable, safe, family-friendly excursions.

The route and experience
Today’s excursions generally depart from Nelsonville, a town known for its handsome Public Square and 19th-century brick heritage. The railroad’s route follows the Hocking River through Athens County, passing remnants of the region’s industrial past—old kilns, mine sites, and bridge abutments—alongside forested hillsides and bottomlands that turn brilliant gold and red in autumn and serene white under winter snow. Seasonal trips range from standard weekend excursions to themed rides that tie into local events and holidays. Many rides include narration that traces how the railroad shaped the valley: moving miners and their families, connecting small communities, and serving as a lifeline for commerce.

A volunteer-built institution
The HVSR is powered by volunteers—people who maintain track, repair and restore cars, staff the depot, sell tickets, and crew the trains. Over decades, these volunteers have not only kept the trains running; they’ve restored rolling stock, refreshed depots, and educated thousands of visitors about southeastern Ohio’s rail and industrial history. That ethos of stewardship is visible everywhere: in the lovingly maintained coaches, in the tidy right-of-way, and in the welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere that greets riders at the station.

The Santa Train: a Hocking Valley holiday tradition
If one event epitomizes the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway’s community role, it’s the Santa Train. Operating on select dates from late November through December, the Santa Train is a festive, kid-forward excursion that has become a rite of passage for many regional families. Coaches are decorated for the season, and volunteers transform the train into a rolling holiday gathering. During the trip, Santa and Mrs. Claus make their way through the train, visiting with children, hearing wish lists, and posing for pictures. Helpers often pass out candy canes, and young riders typically receive a small keepsake.

The ride itself is part of the magic. After dusk, the valley’s riverside farms and towns glow with lights; by day, the winter landscape feels hushed and bright. The trip is long enough to be an adventure—usually around an hour and a half round-trip—yet short enough to hold the attention of excited kids. Because these trains are extremely popular, many families book early. The railroad often adds extra dates or times to meet demand, and in some seasons offers daytime and evening Santa departures so riders can choose the ambience they prefer. The Santa Train doesn’t just entertain; it anchors family traditions, introduces new generations to the romance of railroading, and supports the nonprofit’s year-round preservation work.

Locomotives: first-generation diesel power
A key part of the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway’s appeal is the authenticity of its trains. The railroad typically operates with historic diesel-electric locomotives from the mid-20th century—machines that once handled switching and mainline duties across America and now serve in excursion service. As of recent seasons, the HVSR’s workhorses have included:

- An ALCO S-2 switcher: Built in the 1940s by the American Locomotive Company, the S-2 is a quintessential first-generation diesel, known for its rugged reliability and distinctive ALCO sound. On the Hocking Valley, the S-2 often handles excursion duty and switching, and it’s a frequent sight on themed trains like the Santa Train.

- An EMD GP-series road-switcher (such as a GP7/GP9 or GP10): These 1,500–1,750 horsepower locomotives, built by Electro-Motive Division in the 1950s (with some later rebuilt to GP10 specifications), are classic North American power. They excel at the moderate speeds and train lengths typical of tourist operations, offering ample horsepower and a proven, maintainable platform for volunteer crews.

Rosters evolve as units are restored, traded, or rotated for maintenance, but those types—ALCO switchers and EMD GP-series road-switchers—have been mainstays. The combination provides flexibility: the ALCO for yard work and shorter consists, the EMD for heavier trains during peak seasons like Christmas. For railfans, seeing and hearing these vintage units at work against a backdrop of timbered hills and river crossings is a highlight in its own right.

Rolling stock and amenities
Behind the locomotives, the HVSR fields a mix of restored, heavyweight and streamlined-era passenger coaches and open or semi-open cars used in warm months. Interiors are kept comfortable and family-friendly. For winter runs, coaches are heated and decorated, and volunteers help with boarding and seating. Accessibility varies by car, and the railroad provides up-to-date information on accommodations, restrooms, and strollers when tickets are booked.

Beyond Christmas: a year-round calendar
While the Santa Train is the headline act of the holidays, the railway’s calendar features spring and fall excursions, including popular Fall Foliage trains that sell out when the Hocking Hills reach peak color. Themed rides—such as Easter, summer family days, and occasional special events—extend the mission beyond pure sightseeing, weaving in local culture and history. Proceeds from every ticket help fund ongoing preservation, track maintenance, and equipment restoration, ensuring the line and its stories remain alive.

Planning your visit
Nelsonville is an easy day trip from the Hocking Hills State Park area and many southeastern Ohio towns. Parking, boarding, and ticketing are centered around the railroad’s depot. Because holiday and fall trains often sell out, advance reservations are strongly recommended. The railroad posts operating dates, fares, and equipment notes on its website and social media channels, including updates on which locomotive is scheduled for a given day.

Why it matters
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is more than a ride—it’s a living classroom and a community hub. It keeps tangible pieces of the valley’s past in motion, from the rails underfoot to the diesel growl up front, and it offers families a way to make new memories inside the preserved fabric of an older Ohio. The Santa Train, in particular, shows what a small, volunteer nonprofit can do: knit together history, place, and tradition into something that feels both timeless and joyfully local. Whether you come for twinkling lights and a visit with Santa or for the throb of a vintage ALCO climbing out of town, you’ll step off in Nelsonville with a deeper appreciation for the Hocking Valley—and for the people who work year-round to keep its railway rolling.