Springfield will host vintage rail excursions on the first weekend of October 2026, when Ohio Rail Experience plans round trips from Snyder Park to Lima, Ohio. The nonprofit subsidiary of Cincinnati Scenic Rail calls the outing the Lima Limited. Ray Kammer Jr., president of the parent company, described it as a chance to experience travel as it was roughly 70 years ago.
According to Kammer, the route is timed for fall color and its standout view is the 100-foot-tall Quincy trestle. The journey passes through communities including Thackery, Quincy, Rosewood and Uniopolis. Boarding is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. both days, with departure around 9 a.m. and a trip of about three hours to Lima. Once there, passengers have a layover of two and a half to three hours, according to Kammer. The full excursion covers 140 miles and takes about 10 hours.
At Lincoln Park in downtown Lima, travelers may leave the train. Complimentary shuttles are available for downtown destinations and the Allen County Historical Museum, Kammer said. Food and drinks, including snacks and hors d’oeuvres, are served in an onboard dining area. Kammer characterized the trip as an adult-oriented, relaxing experience rather than an all-day family outing.
The company says its equipment dates from the 1940s and 1950s and is restored for Ohio service. Ticket sales support maintenance, according to Kammer, and options range from coach to heated passenger cars. Prices begin at $85. Kammer said the event takes about 10 months to coordinate with the railroad, which the company does not own. He also said the track was once owned by Henry Ford, though not built by him.