Original article published in Garden Railway’s Dec. 2019 issue by Bill Mefford; edited and updated for Trains.com by Lucas Iverson.
For many model railroaders and garden railway enthusiasts, a trip to the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State area was on the bucket list. That’s because it was the home to EnterTRAINment Junction, which boasted the biggest indoor large-scale (1:24) model train layout on the planet, and it was a hit with visitors.
Opened in August 2008, EnterTRAINment Junction was the vision of successful Cincinnati businessman Don Oeters, a model train enthusiast since childhood. After 34 years in business, Don sold his company to follow his dream of opening a massive, climate-controlled display. In the Cincinnati northern suburb of West Chester, he purchased an 80,000-square-foot building and immediately went to work on his passionate pursuit.
Upon learning of the planned closure and seeing great potential, Firecrown Media Inc. acquired most of the assets in December 2024. The leading publisher of transportation and enthusiast titles plans to relocate most of the layout, museum and outdoor railroad to Chattanooga, Tenn., as a feature exhibit for the upcoming transportation museum – tentatively named “The Motion Museum.”
The final time for EnterTRAINment Junction to call the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State area home was officially held on Jan. 5, 2025, as the last day of operation to the public. One chapter closes and another is set to open. But before moving forward with the latter, let’s look back on the former that Oeters began 17 years ago.
“From the beginning, our passion was to create something unique, a one-of-a-kind family entertainment center that would entertain, educate, and promote railroading and the hobby in an extraordinary environment,” said Oeters in a 2019 interview. “We wanted to make it about the history of railroading, make it interactive, make it a unique experience, make it authentic, make it fun and make it for all ages.”
Indeed it was! After nearly two decades of operation, the multi-million-dollar complex collected numerous tourist awards and hosted visitors from all 50 U.S. states and more than 40 foreign countries.
Tickets, please!
Guests entering EnterTRAINment Junction’s front doors found themselves immediately whisked to the past into a “Disney-esque” American village square of yesteryear. They would then encounter a replica depot that housed a gift shop and ticket office. Punch your ticket, and you’ll be directed to the entrance of the large display.
Visitors to what was called “Train Journey,” the largest area of EnterTRAINment Junction, were immersed in a 25,000-square-foot environment where more than 90 trains ran everywhere, high and low! More than two actual miles of track took visitors on a panoramic journey through three distinct epochs in U.S. history, from the earliest days of steam-powered railroading through contemporary diesel-electric locomotion.
The meticulously crafted scratchbuilt structures and scenery were assembled by volunteers into realistic big cities, small towns, dense forests, towering mountains, and intricate trestles, tunnels and bridges. There were even several water features with one including a waterfall that descended 11’ from a mountainside.
Volunteers have logged more than 300,000 hours to create the magic and historic authenticity of the layout. The majority were members from the Greater Cincinnati Garden Railway Society and the Miami Valley Garden Railway Society. “The dream wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing dedication of all of our volunteers,” said Oeters.
The Early Period (1860s – 1900s)
Visitors began their experience with a walk through a timber-lined tunnel to reach a trackside encampment of Civil War Union troops. This was also where the cascading waterfall and wooded hillside provided an impressive backdrop in the distance.
A scratchbuilt 1890s town also occupied the lakeshore, representing a major river port served by the railroad. Era-appropriate, but slightly longer, trains ran at different elevations.
Even though up to three trains can operate [in the same direction] on a single continuous loop, scenery shields the entrance and exit to and from the hidden staging tracks. Computer-controlled operation (clockwise and counter-clockwise) with six dispersed Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) effectively prevents any lull in the action across the stacked loops.
The Middle Period (1940s – 1950s)
Visitors then passed through a curved, cut stone tunnel that led into the transitional era of railroading. Both steam- and diesel-powered trains rolled through a major city full of various industries. Visitors can also view trolley cars handling public transportation needs.
The main aisle continued around three sides of the central city and its downtown district — consisting of large commercial structures and a couple of skyscrapers extending as high as 10’ above the walkway.
Just around the next curve, visitors would find a freight yard and engine terminal. This area also included a roundhouse, operating turntable, coal tipple, and backshop.
Modern Period (1970s – Present)
Finally, a short concrete-lined tunnel led visitors into the contemporary section of the layout where modern diesels rumble right along the aisle with mixed freight and unit trains. They looped through a colorful, modern city scene filled with skyscrapers, high-rises, industries and vehicles, all before disappearing into the tunnels. Plus, there’s also a place to catch a glimpse of the subway system hustling into the depths of the city.
Further into the setting, visitors also discovered a remote, mountainous coal mining region. And after passing under a massive overhead steel arch bridge, an expansive yard complete with a modern yard tower, intermodal facilities and a diesel shop, is just around the corner.
But wait, there’s more!
On the main floor and along the perimeter of the indoor display was the American Railroading Museum, an interactive 5,000-square-foot exhibit exploring what railroading has meant to the history and development of the United States. Combining education with entertainment, there were interactive trivia kiosks where visitors can test their railroading knowledge and learn folklore. Other attractions included an outdoor [seasonal] ride-on railroad in the safe confines of a fenced playground.
In the coming weeks, Firecrown plans to move the layout structures and equipment, museum and outdoor railroad to its home base in Chattanooga, where a new setup will be built showcasing the assets acquired from EnterTRAINment Junction. They will be part of a transportation-themed museum.
