Hanover’s Perspective
Train Day’s Twelfth Stop in Ashland
Train Day is rolling into Ashland for the 12th year. This railroad-themed community celebration takes place the first Saturday of November each year.
In 2002, Train Day began as a celebration and recognition of the town’s railroad history at the Ashland Library.
“It began as a little Saturday morning children’s program,” said Bill Gatewood, chairman of Ashland Train Day. “Then, the library added additional activities outside and it quickly evolved into an all-day festival.”
Today, the event features live music, miniature train rides, games and activities, several model train displays, model train racing, a locomotive moon bounce, food and railroad-related vendors. Tinder and Cinder, the Train Day mascots and engineer bears, will greet visitors at various spots for photo opportunities throughout the day. Also, the Virginia Civil War 150 HistoryMobile will be located near the Visitor Center.
New this year, a scavenger hunt will take guests on a train-style expedition throughout the festival. Visitors will find conductors at eight different vendor locations who will punch their scavenger tickets. Completed punch tickets can be traded at Tiny Tim’s Toy store for a prize and a chance to win two Amtrak tickets.
The festival is held along the intersection of England Street and Center Street and at several indoor and community locations including: the Ashland Library, the Hanover Arts and Activity Center, the Ashland Train Station, the Ashland Coffee and Tea, the Ashland Museum and Red Caboose, the courtyard of the Ashland-Hanover Shopping Center, Off and Dancing, the Henry Clay Inn, the Ashland Firehouse Theater, the Ashland Farmer’s Market and the CSX Stage at the Town Municipal Parking Lot.
With the railway being the focal point in Ashland, visitors will also enjoy watching the Amtrak and freight trains passing by several times throughout the day.
Gatewood, a retiree of the Ashland Police Department, has organized the event for the past eight years. He says, “I have a vested interest in this community. I like to see the event prosper and being a part of it is a fun thing to do.”