Ozark Railway

— boarding since 1926 —

Old No. 350 departing under a full head of steam, black smoke billowing from her stack as she leads the excursion train past the meadow
Reserve Your Tickets Become a Volunteer

The best family adventures — Bandits, treasure maps, and firefly evenings await down the line.

Welcome to the railway

One Hundred Years Down the Same Seven Miles

The Ozark Railway is a volunteer-run excursion railway in the timber country of Southeast Missouri. Old No. 9 rolled out of the works in 1926, hauled Ozark timber and mail until the highways came, and has carried families making memories ever since.

It's not an ordinary train. One Saturday the Dusty Gulch Gang "robs" the 11 o'clock; the next, the conductor hands out treasure maps. The railway is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run entirely by volunteers, and every ticket keeps Old No. 9 in steam for the next hundred years.

Two black steam locomotives simmering side by side outside the brick engine house while a crowd of visitors looks on
Open house at the engine shed — the whole town turns out when the locomotives are in steam.

Choose your adventure

This Season's Excursions

Every ride lasts about 90 minutes, rain or shine. Click a ticket to punch it.

№ 01OZARK RY

The Dusty Gulch Hold-Up

The valley's most polite outlaws board at the trestle to raid the cookie tin. Deputies (ages 3 and up) sworn in before departure.

May - September
Saturdays, 11:00 & 2:00

Adults $18 | Children $12

Book Now!
№ 02OZARK RY

The Lost Spike Treasure Run

Legend says a gold spike is hidden along the line. Solve the map's riddles before milepost 7 and claim your prize.

June - October
First Sundays, 1:00

Adults $20 | Children $14

Book Now!
№ 03OZARK RY

The Firefly Flyer

An evening run to Miller's Bend, where the meadow glitters with fireflies. Lanterns, lemonade, and stories from the crew.

June - August
Friday evenings, 7:30

Adults $16 | Children $10

Book Now!
№ 04OZARK RY

The Centennial Steam Special

Old No. 9 turns one hundred! Brass band on the platform, cake in every coach, and a whistle salute at the trestle.

July 4 weekend
9:00, 1:00, 4:00

Adults $24 | Children $16

Book Now!
Weathered rail spikes driven into an old wooden tie beside a rusted rail on the line

Be a part of railroad history

Sponsor a Spike

A century of steam is hard on the track. Donate $25 and we'll drive a new spike into the line in your honor, enter your name in the Depot Ledger, and mail you a certificate.

Sponsor a whole tie for $100 and your family name joins the brass plaque on Platform 1.

Sponsor a Spike

No engine runs alone

This Railway Runs on Volunteers

Nobody at the HC&N gets a paycheck — just a timetable, depot coffee, and the best seat in the valley. No experience needed; we'll teach you the rest.

Engine Crew
Ticket Punchers
Costumed Characters
Track Gang
Depot Storytellers
Lemonade Brigade

Join the Crew

Plan your day

Find the Depot

Hollow Creek Depot

18 Depot Lane
Hollow Creek, Missouri

(555) 014-7326
allaboard@hcnrailway.example

The ticket window opens one hour before each departure.

Good to Know

  • Free parking in the meadow beside the water tower
  • All coaches are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly
  • Well-behaved dogs ride free (bandana provided)
  • Picnics welcome on the depot lawn
  • This isn't a real place. It's a portfolio project.