7 Tips for Railfans

Railfans of all ages flock to Downtown Ashland to watch the passage of nearly 50 freight and passenger trains each day. The quaint setting of Ashland’s historic district with the East Coast freight line running through the center is a unique attraction.

Photo captured during Ashland Train Day 2018.

Downtown Ashland Association offers railfans near and far these tips to get the most out of your visit:

1.      VISIT THE STATION

Ashland-Hanover Visitor Center is located inside the historic Ashland Train Station. The friendly staff are available 9am-5pm daily.

2.       LISTEN TO ENGINEERS

CSX live radio stream is available to the public anytime of the day or night. You can hear the drivers riding the rails as they radio between Richmond and Fredericksburg. Click here listen live on your web-enabled device.

3.      ASK THE EXPERTS

Tiny Tim’s Trains & Toys at 104 S. Railroad Avenue is staffed by railfans extraordinaire! Ask Suzanne, Russell, or Sonja about the passing trains and get a full explanation, plus see the model trains on display in all shapes and gauges!

4.       CHECK THE MAP

Amtrak tracks its trains nationwide in real-time on this map. Check when the next train is coming to Ashland Train Station and wave hello to the conductors!

5. SEE THE MURAL

Downtown Ashland hosts the longest railroad mural in the country! See local artist Ed Trask’s masterpiece at 108 S. Railroad Avenue.

6.       WATCH ONLINE

Three Virtual Railfan cameras in Downtown Ashland broadcast live on YouTube. The town’s railfan following extends all around the globe. See for yourself at youtu.be/VIwzSSGbxZw.

7. BOARD THE CABOOSE

Ashland Museum offers free tours of a fully restored 1926 C&O Caboose each weekend at 105 Hanover Avenue.

Ashland Halloween 2021

A weekend of special events and spooky fun for all ages!

Ashland, VA (October 18, 2021) – Building on the success of a festive and safe event in 2020, Downtown Ashland Association is excited to host Ashland Halloween again this year with an entire weekend of festivities organized by local businesses, community organizations, and residents.

“From October 29th to 31st, we invite you to join us as the mysteries of Ashland's historic district come alive,” said Maggie Longest, Executive Director of Downtown Ashland Association. “It is sure to be a spooktastic Halloween weekend in the Center of the Universe!”

There are bewitching events for children and adults alike, including:

•  Kids trick-or-treat in all Ashland neighborhoods with the candy stop map. Families pack the streets to take in elaborate decorations such as flaming pumpkin torches, candy catapults, and skateboarding vampires.

• Adults celebrate with a Trick-or-Treat Bar Crawl. Origin Beer Lab and surrounding businesses host this scavenger hunt. Each establishment along the route features ghostly food and drink specials for participants’ enjoyment.

• Lantern-Lit Haunted Walking Tours hosted nightly by professional storytellers. Let the ghost stories of our historic town’s most mysterious events, buildings, and personalities entertain you!

• Ashland Theatre hosts classic spooky movies all weekend. Plus, signature cocktails, popcorn, and snacks.

Visit AshlandHalloween.com for more information and a full calendar of events.

Ashland Train Day Rescheduled to Spring 2022

Downtown Ashland Association announces the next Ashland Train Day will be held on April 30, 2022. The beloved street festival and celebration of trains will become a spring event, to be hosted the last weekend in April annually.

“We look forward to continuing Ashland Train Day’s long history of family-friendly fun in Downtown Ashland,” said Executive Director Maggie Longest. “By moving the event away from the busy holiday season and into the spring, we hope even more families and train lovers will come to Ashland and enjoy the festival.”

In 2019, the 17th annual celebration of Ashland’s love for trains drew more than 10,000 participants. The celebration included 17 model train displays, two kiddie train rides, a touch-a-truck area, arts and crafts, local foods, and live music.

Mark your calendar for the 18th Ashland Train Day on April 30, 2022! Event updates for railfans of all ages will be published on the website, ashlandvirginia.com, and social media channels, Facebook and Instagram.

JOIN THE FUN!

• Volunteers are needed to help with event planning. Please visit ashlandvirginia.com/volunteer.

• Sponsor Ashland Train Day to support a vibrant Downtown Ashland. Business sponsors benefit from high-profile media coverage before and during the event with thousands of visitors, residents, and community leaders. Learn more at ashlandvirginia.com/giving.

Tunes on the Tracks

Downtown Ashland will host an outdoor concert series beginning Saturday, August 29th!

Tunes on the Tracks is a family-friendly event held on the front lawn of Hanover Arts and Activities Center along the railroad tracks. Each concert will feature the area’s finest local bands, playing music across multiple genres including rock, soul, country, folk, and bluegrass.

Each ticket provides admittance for up to five people who will be seated in a dedicated 10’x10’ viewing area. Concessions will be available, including snacks, soft drinks, and adult (alcoholic) beverages. Each concert will last 90 minutes to two hours.

Safety is a priority. Patrons are expected to stay within their designated viewing area, except when visiting the restroom or the concession area. Plan to bring the whole family! All ages are welcome, although valid photo IDs will be required to purchase or consume alcohol.

This exciting concert series is a collaboration of local non-profit organizations Ashland Theatre and Hanover Arts & Activities Center. Both have faced challenges during the pandemic. The groups joined forces to offer customers a safety-conscious outdoor gathering. Combining the contacts and experience of both non-profits made the concert series possible.

Information and tickets for Tunes on the Tracks are available at ashlandtheatre.org.

Update: Ashland 2021

We're Open for Business! But please use the back entrance for businesses on N. Railroad Avenue--including Ashland Family Dentistry, The Henry Clay Inn, Homemades by Suzanne, and Center of the Yarniverse. See our handy parking map below.

Traffic is currently blocked on N. Railroad to make way for Amtrak’s construction of new platforms at Ashland Train Station. When finished, the project will include fully accessible train platforms for passengers of all abilities, lighted signage for info on the next train, and covered seating on both sides of the tracks for those waiting on a train.

Learn more about this project and all the changes coming to Downtown Ashland at ashlandvirginia.com/2021.