Kids (and adults) of all ages love trains and the miniature train rides at Lester Rail Trail in Medina offer a unique train riding experience. During select dates throughout the year, the Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers offer free train rides around a miniature railroad and station house at the Medina County Parks Lester Rail Trail in Medina.

This year they have rides scheduled on select dates in June, July and September and special Halloween themed rides in October (see full schedule listed below). Costumes are encouraged for the Halloween rides.

Tip: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter so you get a reminder of when the rides take place.

Miniature Train Rides at Lester Rail Trail

After parking at the Lester Rail Trail park, make the short walk over to the train station to get in line to ride the trains. While waiting in line you can watch the various trains. There are so many different types and sizes of trains including: a steam engine, coal cars, cabooses, box cars, and even little conductors waving out the drivers window.

There are typically 5-6 trains running at the same time, so the wait to ride should only be 10-15 minutes depending on how many people are waiting. The picture above shows the train cars that riders sit on. While some of the trains had padding, most of the seats were wood and 3-4 people sat on each train section.

The ride was approximately 10 minutes long with tracks winding through the meadow, woods and by various miniature buildings, small bridges and a station house. There were even railroad crossing signs at the various intersections.

Once your ride is over, you are welcome to get back in line and ride again and again. When we were there we rode the trains 4 times, took a walk along the hike & bike trail and even found a geocache while we were at the park. It was a great time and we hope to go back to ride the trains again.

2019 Ride Schedule

Note: Dates and Times are subject to change. Please double check their website to confirm prior to visiting.

Regular Rides
Saturday, June 22, 2019; 12:30pm-4:30pm
Saturday, July 27, 2019; 4pm-8pm
Saturday, September 14, 2019; 12:30pm-4:30pm

Halloween Themed Rides
Friday, October 18, 2019; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday, October 19, 2019; 2pm-4pm
Saturday, October 19, 2019; 6:30pm-8:30pm

All rides are free of any charge; donations are appreciated.

Lester Rail Trail
3654 Lester Road Medina, OH 44256 (York Township)
0.75-mile north of State Route 1 
Website

Many thanks to the Medina Country Park District and the Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers for offering this program.