An Afternoon of Old Trains, Outlaws and Chocolate

A ride on this volunteer-run heritage railway can begin with a seat at a table for four and end with a pretend train robbery, a stop in a Western-style town, or a chocolate-heavy afternoon. The antique cars give the outing its setting, but the day is built around more than watching the countryside go by.

Volunteers are a steady presence aboard the train and around the depot, explaining the cars, talking about the railway, and sharing the Jesse James Gang stories connected with some of the excursions. It has the unhurried, personable mood of a local outing rather than an attraction that sends everyone through on a tight script.

That makes it an easy fit for a family afternoon, a birthday celebration, or a vacation day when a few hours of train travel sounds more appealing than a schedule packed with rides and lines.

The railway uses antique passenger cars that have been carefully maintained. Inside, the seating is comfortable and includes tables with facing benches for groups of four, a handy arrangement for families who want to sit together, share snacks, play a game, or keep an eye on younger riders.

The cars are not air-conditioned, an important detail for summer excursions. On a hot day, the weather is very much part of the ride, so seasonal timing can make a noticeable difference in comfort.

The train itself gets some attention here. Depending on the outing, passengers may have opportunities to look more closely at the engine, and special visits have included a locomotive-cab ride or a chance to blow the whistle. Those are happy extras rather than standard features of every departure.

The James Gang train-robbery excursion turns the passenger car into a small traveling theater. Actors perform aboard the train, move through the cars, and engage directly with riders, so the show does not stay politely at the far end of the aisle.

Children tend to take the robbery very seriously. On one outing, a youngster tried to protect his play money by hiding it under his shirt before finally surrendering it to the bandits. That is the general spirit: playful, interactive, and much more involved than sitting quietly through a historical talk.

Volunteers and guides add historical interpretation along the way, discussing the railway, its equipment, and the Jesse James-related stories that frame the event. The result is a lively mix of costumed entertainment and railroad history, without requiring anyone to arrive as a history buff.

Some robbery excursions include an off-train stop at a Western-style town, complete with backdrop scenery and a campfire. Getting off the train breaks up the ride nicely, particularly for children who have been waiting to see where the outlaws might lead.

S'mores have been part of these Western-town stops, and one robbery outing also included watermelon. Those particular treats belong to selected excursions, but they show the railway's fondness for adding small, unexpected touches to a day that could otherwise be just a round-trip train ride.

Train travel, live acting, historical narration, a themed stop, and a snack around a campfire make the outing unfold in little stages. Families have something new to anticipate instead of spending the entire afternoon in the same seats.

The James Gang is only one route into the railway's rotating calendar. Themed offerings have included a dinosaur train, the Chocolate Express, and seasonal pumpkin rides, giving repeat riders a reason to come back and see the railroad dressed for another occasion.

The Chocolate Express takes the sweeter path, with an assortment of treats substantial enough to make a meal of the idea. It is a cheerful choice for a grandparent-and-grandchild outing or any group that considers dessert a perfectly valid theme for an afternoon.

Some broader excursion offerings also include a homestyle meal. Food varies by event, so it is worth checking the current schedule and individual ride details rather than assuming that every train includes the same treats, stop, or program.

The railway gives younger passengers a few things to do before the train moves. Checkers boards at the station can occupy children during the wait for departure, a simple old-fashioned diversion that suits the depot setting.

Coloring pages and crafts may also appear during the ride or while families are waiting. They are modest additions, but useful ones: children can stay engaged while adults listen to the volunteers or look around the car.

Teenagers and adults are not left out of the fun. The performers' direct interaction, the antique equipment, and the changing themes give older riders more to follow than a standard sightseeing ride. A multigenerational group can share the same outing without everyone having to enjoy it in exactly the same way.

The depot has a snack bar with food and snack items, and additional snacks are available aboard the train. That gives a family some flexibility on a several-hour excursion, especially when a themed ride does not include a meal.

Picnic lunches have also found their way into the outing. With table seating available in some cars, it is easy to see why people make an afternoon of it rather than treating the ride as a quick stop between other plans.

For a theme built around food, the Chocolate Express supplies its own reason to save room. For other rides, the snack bar and on-board purchases keep things simple without turning lunch into a separate errand.

The themed excursions and seasonal events change, so the current schedule is the key practical detail when planning a visit. A family hoping for dinosaurs, pumpkins, chocolate, or a holdup by the James Gang will want to match the date to the particular train.

The variety is also why the railway works well as a repeat destination. One trip might center on old train cars and railroad stories; another might be remembered for crafts, sweets, a campfire, or an outlaw asking for play money.