Dennison Railroad Depot Museum — Attraction in Dennison

Our carefully planned road trip came undone and we scrambled to find alternative stops to fill the day. Mary found a reference for a restored rail depot in Dennison, a short half-hour drive from Bolivar. We switched gears and headed south on US 77 to what turned out to be the best stop of the trip. The immaculately restored Dennison Rail Depot was a locomotive repair shop that became better known as a stop for troop trains carrying servicemen west during World War Two. The depot was restored to its configuration during the war with displays in the depot building and railcars. We were welcomed on entry and found that veterans are admitted free of charge in honor of the servicemen who passed thru Dennison on their way to the front. An average of 20 trains a day, each carrying 400-700 men, stopped in Dennison each and every day from 1942-1946. That is more than 10,000 men and women EVERY day. The local community quickly saw an opportunity to offer a helping hand and established a Serviceman’s Canteen offering a sandwich, fruit, and coffee to every hungry GI. I can’t image how the folks operating the canteen produced 10,000 sandwiches a day with the constraints of rationing, but they did. So welcome was the food and friendship offered, that the GI’s came to know Dennison as “Dreamsville.” Parking for the depot is on the street opposite the main entrance. A small café used to operate in the depot but has since closed. The staff offers a short orientation to a self-guided and self-paced tour that takes you through the depot and onto actual train cars. Several of the cars offer displays on the social impact of the war on the community. Other cars are restored to their troop train configuration. Of special note is a car configured as a mobile hospital with provision for a small medical staff to care for injured and wounded troops. The train portion is a bit long to walk but can accept walkers and wheelchairs. There is even a restroom available on that part of the tour. This is a superb museum staffed by friendly and welcoming staff. I can only imagine the memories that rose up in veterans who last visited Dennison on their way to war. To help young children enjoy the visit, there is a large N-Gauge model train display and other fun educational activities. Yes, there is a gift shop with a wide variety of mementos, shirts, and toys. I wish I could give the Depot more...

We have been coming to the Dennison Railroad for the Polar Express trip since our son was born, EXCEPT this year. This year however our trip was abruptly cancelled because they were unable to accommodate my 72 year old father in law who is a Veteran, Handicapped, and has bad knees and can barely walk, which been the case for the last several years. Upon making the reservation, as we have every other year, we requested the train car that has a lift, which is for handicap passengers which he is and passengers in wheel chairs, he is not in a wheel chair yet, but cannot walk up the steps to the train, so the lift car made it possible for him to board the train, and enjoy this time with his grandson. When the reservations were made back in July, the request was made for the lift car, and we were verbally told, "no problem", as we have done every other year prior and with no issues ever. As this years date approached, my wife called as she does every year to confirm everything was set with the assistance that is needed, as there is nothing worse than dragging a 72 year old grandpa out and arriving to find out there is no assistance, which is what would have happened this year had we not called.. A reservation for 6 in First Class which is slightly better than the Coach experience, they said the lift car was not requested and there is nothing they could do, their hands were tied. There are much better and much more authentic Polar Express rides out there folks than this one, which is where we will be venturing to next year, either Cuyahoga Valley or the Elkins Railroad. I will drive 10 hours further out of my way rather than to be lied to and they really didn't even care that they made this mistake, nor did they do anythingdid to try and resolve it. They did refund the tickets, but I certainly hope they were not able to resell them, and if others had a poor experience like we did this year, the Dennsison Railroad will no longer be something for so many to enjoy, which will be something sad, so hopefully they can recognize there is a huge problem somewhere, either in management this year, or something else has changed, as I said we have been coming for the last 4 years and never had anything really to complain about until this year. I hope they figure it out, but sadly will no longer continue to have...

My review is in regard to the polar express experience. I never write reviews, but I feel like all parents should see this. I am just going to start off with this: If your child is doubting, do not come. This will undoubtedly finish it off. My 3 year old was asking a lot of questions after this experience. Several other kids on our car also were asking their parents questions. Right out of the gate, I could tell this was going to be a rough one. It had to be at least 80 degrees on our car. Not far from the station you can look out the window to see one of the locals displaying a giant pot leaf flag right off of their back porch. One would think the city could do something about that given the nature of the experience. There are police cars with their lights on at every rail crossing, further ruining the immersion. Santa’s work shop is the back of some factory. If your kid is like mine, they have seen the polar express 1000 times and will be extremely confused that Santa’s factory looks like a place where hope goes to die. If that wasn’t bad enough, the North Pole some how tops it. Be prepared for a ton of sheds with random locals standing outside in the mud. Guess global warming is evident at the North Pole since there is no snow. Enjoy your whole 4oz of gas station hot chocolate with a cookie from a local grocery/drug store. The bathroom on the car is for “emergencies” only. Well I got news for you, you have a train full of kids and you just gave them hot chocolate, unless you want pee all over the train, everything is going to be an emergency. This whole experience was a giant fart on rails that came close to ruining the magic for my kid. I am disappointed that I drove 90 minutes for this. Total rip off for...