June 20th 2026

10:30 am – 5 pm

Event Schedule

10:30 am – Doors Open

11 am – Rededication Ceremony

1 pm – Live Music Begins

1-5 pm – Caboose Rides 

50th Anniversary Celebration

We are delighted to invite you to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Mad River & Nickel Plate Railroad Museum. Opened in June of 1976, the Museum is a lasting Spirit of ‘76 project and a tribute to the transportation industry that helped to shape our nation and community. 

To celebrate we will have extended hours, speakers, special guests, exhibits, and train rides! Additionally a few local food vendors will be on location for lunch. 

The MR&NKP Museum is a 100% volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation of railroad history. We are supported through the generous support of donations and visitors like you. 

TRAIN RIDES

As part of this special event we will be operating train rides powered by our GE 45-ton diesel locomotive and our three operational cabooses. 

Ride ticket is included with purchase of museum admission. Rides are on a first come first serve basis. Trains will depart every 20 minutes beginning at 1 pm and end at 5 pm with the last train departing at 4:40 pm.

2026 Volunteer Orientation Seminar

Have you ever wanted to get more active with our museum but just didn’t know where to start? Do you have any friends that have expressed an interest in becoming an active member? On Saturday May 30th, we can help you do just that. An introductory seminar will be held in the Freight House at 1 pm to welcome new members and introduce participants to the tasks required to keep the museum functioning.
Topics covered will include:
  • Brief history of the museum
  • Explanation of tasks and projects volunteers are needed for
  • Brief overview of our rules and polices
  • Walk around tour of the buildings and grounds weather permitting
  • Q&A and suggestion period.
We’ll try to keep the seminar to less than 3 hours in length, material covered may vary depending on the amount of attendees. We look forward to meeting you!
What
MR&NKP Volunteer Orientation Seminar
When
May 30th, 2026, 1 pm
Where
NYC Freight House
233 York St.
Bellevue, OH
Not a member? Please join our team. Our insurance provider and bylaws requires all our volunteers to be current members of the Mad River & NKP Railroad Society.

Benefits to membership include:

  1. Free admission during the season.
  2.  Subscription to the Caboose Cable, our bi-monthly newsletter.
  3. 10% off at our Trackside Gift Shop.
  4. Participation in member only events.