Ashland Train Day through the lens of Rick Kidd Photography
There are small towns that host events, and then there is Ashland—where, once a year, the rails don’t just carry trains, they carry a community.
On Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ashland Train Day returns for its 22nd year, transforming historic downtown into something that feels less like a festival and more like a living story—one that unfolds along the tracks, between neighbors, across generations, and through the unmistakable rhythm of passing trains. Made possible in large part by signature sponsors Renewal by Andersen, Amtrak Virginia, and Virtual Railfan, the day stands as both a celebration and a testament to what sustained partnership can build over time.
To walk into Ashland on Train Day is to immediately sense that this isn’t accidental. It is built, piece by piece, by people who care deeply about where they live and who they share it with. Volunteers are not only welcomed but cared for, with Minuteman Press of Ashland providing apparel, coffee from The Caboose Market & Cafe, meals from Chick-fil-A Center of the Universe, and lunch offerings from Strawberry Street Catering and Jersey Mike’s. Headquarters at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center hum with coordination and purpose, while the Ashland Volunteer Fire Department and Hanover Safe Place ensure that care and safety remain ever-present outside—visible in the background, but felt throughout.
And then there is the arrival.
Amtrak riders arrive at Ashland Train Day
For many, the journey begins not with traffic, but with a train. Amtrak Virginia invites visitors to turn a single day into a full weekend of railroad wonder, delivering passengers directly to the Ashland-Hanover Visitors Center in the heart of the festivities. That arrival becomes an experience in itself—one that opens the door to a slower, more intentional stay. With an Amtrak ticket in hand, the weekend stretches further: a visit to The Shop at 112 reveals carefully curated vintage finds, The Henry Clay Inn offers a Railroad Grab & Go Picnic perfect for an afternoon along the tracks, and Revival Spa provides a chance to rest and recharge. Together, they transform a visit into something more immersive—an invitation to linger.
Others arrive by car, guided by thoughtfully organized park-and-ride routes at Ashland Junction Shopping Center and Ashland Hanover Shopping Center, where stops along the way—from Around the Table to La Catrina Tortilleria and XtraSuite Salon Studios—become part of the experience. At First Baptist Church, families are welcomed with water, indoor restrooms, and space to pause with inviting vendors before heading in. All shuttle routes are handicap accessible, with additional accessible parking available at the former Henry Clay Elementary School and at Huddle Up, ensuring that every guest can arrive with ease.
For those seeking flexibility, GRTC’s on-demand LINK service offers another way in. Riders can book trips through the GRTC on the Go app or by phone, selecting pick-up points within the service zone and enjoying a comfortable, shared ride into downtown. It is a system designed with intention—one that reflects the broader care woven throughout Train Day itself.
New Community Church’ Kid Zone
From that moment on, the day opens in every direction.
Children are drawn toward the joyful motion of the Kid Zone at the Ashland Branch Library, made possible by New Community Church, where On The Fly Events fills the space with bounce houses and an obstacle course. Nearby, families settle onto hay bales provided by Ashland Feed Store, sharing sweet moments with treats from Farmview Creamery, American Fruity Smoothies, The Local Cup, Fun Stuff 4 Kids, Joys Delightz, and Kona Ice. Some linger a little longer, discovering Little Wonders Play Co, browsing The TBR Shelf, or connecting with Macaroni Kid RVA and Embrace Foster.
Inside the library, Matthew Dodd’s storytelling brings trains to life through voice and imagination, while RANTRAK (Richmond Area NTRAK) reveals the intricate world of model railroading, blending creativity with STEAM through hands-on exhibits. Just outside, Friends of the Ashland Library extends the invitation to young readers through a children’s book sale, while MoJohn’s Porta Potties and the steady work of St. Ann’s Knights of Columbus ensure the day remains as comfortable as it is engaging.
Vendors at Ashland Train Day
Along the streets, something remarkable happens. Shops, vendors, artists, and makers don’t compete for attention—they contribute to a shared experience, one that unfolds organically with each step. Food arrives in the same spirit. Local restaurants open their doors while food trucks gather in the Ashland Municipal Parking Lot and Hanover Arts and Activities Center, creating a landscape of flavors that reflects both Ashland’s character and its welcome to the wider world.
And always, there is movement.
Music carries through downtown as Center Street Sound Company sets the tone from the Pavilion, while performances unfold across the event—from Free Jambalaya and Friends at Slipped Disc to Ashland Dance Academy and the Hanover Concert Band on the lawn of the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. Even Santa makes an appearance, a reminder that Train Day embraces wonder in all its forms.
Hanover Concert Band performs at Ashland Train Day
That sense of discovery continues through the exhibits. At the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park, nine interactive installations trace Ashland’s deep railroad heritage, while Studio 54 houses imaginative LEGO train layouts. Vintage equipment and a classic red caboose offer tangible links to the past, while Tiny Tim’s Trains & Toys invites attendees into a scavenger hunt that transforms the entire event into an exploration—one that rewards curiosity at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center
Nearby, larger machines invite a different kind of fascination. Through RCI Builders’ Touch-a-Truck experience, participants encounter vehicles from RCI Builders, Ashland Fire Department, Glen Allen Transmission, Wells Tree Service, Gulf Seaboard, JDog Junk Removal, River City Wranglers, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Ghostbusters Virginia—ready to be climbed, explored, and admired—while the Old Dominion Model A Ford Club lines South Railroad Avenue with a glimpse into automotive history.
RCI Builders’ Touch-a-Truck at Ashland Train Day
And then there is the spirit of possibility that runs quietly alongside it all.
Through raffles organized by top Mainstreet America non-profit Downtown Ashland Association, the day carries an added sense of anticipation—not as a contest, but as an extension of generosity. Whether it is the chance to win Wild Bill’s Soda mugs with refills that last the day, or the opportunity to set out on a future journey with Amtrak tickets paired with a Center of the Universe Brewing Company brewski on board, the intention is clear: that everyone leaves feeling like a winner in the Center of the Universe.
Even those who cannot attend in person are part of the story, as Virtual Railfan streams Ashland’s passing trains to a global audience, connecting this small town moment to viewers far beyond its borders.
What stands out most, though, is not any single attraction. It is the way everything fits together.
There is a generosity to Ashland Train Day that reveals itself slowly—in the planning, in the partnerships, in the people who return year after year to make it possible. It is a reminder that community isn’t built in grand gestures alone, but in the accumulation of small, intentional acts.
By the time the afternoon begins to wind down, there is a quiet realization that something meaningful has taken place. Not just an event, but a gathering. Not just entertainment, but connection.
Ashland Train Day does not ask much of its visitors. Only that they show up, look around, and allow themselves to be part of something that has been carefully, lovingly built over 22 years.
And perhaps that is why people return.
Because in a world that often moves too quickly, Ashland offers one perfect Saturday where you are invited to slow down, follow the tracks, and remember what it feels like to belong.
Ashland Train Day takes place Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in historic downtown Ashland. For full details, schedules, volunteer opportunities, and event information, visit AshlandTrainDay.com.