OH THE PLACES WE SHOULD GO - TAKING A FALL TRAIN RIDE AT THE HEART OF DIXIE RAILROAD MUSEUM

(Writing and photography by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

A perfect excursion in the fall is to take a little train ride. 

It is a wonderful way to admire the beautiful changing colors of the landscape that now paints the autumn sky. 

I can't imagine a fall without some kind of train ride.  Our family has kept this tradition as often as possible for years now. I enjoy coming up with new and different places to accomplish another scenic train ride each season. There are lots of good choices of old trains to visit in the South.

One great place is The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera, Alabama. We went there with our daughter, Erin a few years ago and had a blast.  Not only will you get to ride the train through some very pretty woods; you also get to tour a fantastic museum, full of antique Alabama trains and train equipment.  This very informative museum features operating standard gauge and narrow gauged trains from Alabama. 

There are two restored depots full of lots of railroad history and memorabilia. 

You can also go outside and climb in and out of many old box cars, locomotives and cabooses.  These have been collected over the years from a bunch of train lovers who originally stored them in Birmingham, then brought them to Calera and formed this fantastic little museum and train station.   

There are lots of special excursions offered according to the season of the year.  The Fall excursion is called The Pumpkin Patch Express.  It would be a great adventure to enjoy with your grandchildren.  The Pumpkin Patch Express takes place in October most years.  You can visit The Great Pumpkin, take a hayride, bounce in the jump-station, enjoy good old fashioned boiled peanuts, and pick out the perfect jack o'lantern.  Who could ask for more?
There's also an event called "A Day Out With Thomas" if your child or grandchild loves Thomas The Train, you don't want to miss it.  Find the information here: http://thomasthetrain.net/index.php/pages/heart-of-dixie-railroad-museum.html 

There are also Christmas events where the kiddies can ride The North Pole Express and visit with Santa.  Check out this website for all the details: https://www.hodrrm.org/Events/NorthPoleExpress/tabid/121 

If you want a more adult experience, make a reservation on the dinner car that rolls through the Ozan Vinyards and stops there for a wine tasting.  I've put this on my bucket list and keep hoping that my husband will read it!   Here is the information you would need to know:http://www.ozanvineyardtrain.com/

Or maybe you would just like to take an ordinary Saturday afternoon train ride, each event is special.  Just check their home website at:  http://www.hodrrm.org

I highly recommend a day visiting The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum and love the fact that most of their workers are made up of enthusiastic train lovers who have generously volunteered their time to helping others enjoy the gifts that the Alabama trains have blessed us with over the years.

All Aboard?

See you at the station!