Halloween spirit takes over train museum with Jack O’Lantern Junction


HOW TO GO

What: Jack O’Lantern Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction

Where: 7379 Squire Court., West Chester

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays

More info: Attraction pricing starts at $9.95 (various attraction packages are available); children ages 2 and under are free. Free parking. Visit www.EnterTRAINmentJunction.com or call (513) 898-8000.

In the spirit of the Halloween season, EnterTRAINment Junction is entertaining guests of all ages with its most haunting and fun fall attraction, Jack O’Lantern Junction. The attraction is open daily and runs through Thursday, Oct. 31.

“This makes a great day for families. It’s been positive and very well received. It’s a lot of fun for everyone,” said Bill Balfour, General Manager, EnterTRAINment Junction.

He said since the 1900’s, the model train business has traditionally been an activity that everyone in the family can easily participate in.

“This is something everyone can do together,” Balfour said. “With everything becoming so digital today, I think anything hands on that you can do together as a family is really important. Families are always looking for things they can all relate to and be involved with. It’s not a video game or a tablet.”

As part Jack O’Lantern Junction, guests will be greeted with an autumn glow inside the climate-controlled environment at EnterTRAINment Junction. Upon entering, Main Street beams with an array of colorful, Halloween decorations. Another fun feature is a walk through the trick-or-treat maze, which features ghosts, skeletons, cobwebs and multiple treat stations.

Jack O’Lantern Junction also features the area’s only indoor Pumpkin Patch, where children will receive a free mini-pumpkin to decorate. Other highlights include Halloween crafts, a talking pumpkin and a Halloweenville miniature, animated display.

Outdoors, there is a straw maze, Halloween themed, hand-cranked train cars and an electric train ride (weather permitting).

In addition to the Jack O’Lantern Junction fun, all of EnterTRAINment Junction’s celebrated attractions are also open, including the world’s largest indoor model train display, the interactive Coney Island replica, a kids’ play area, the “weird and wacky” A-Maze-N FunHouse as well as the educational American Railroading Museum and more.

Public Relations Manager Bill Mefford, EnterTRAINment Junction said the multigenerational aspect continues to draw visitors — from toddlers in strollers to 90-year-old grandfathers.

“Fall proves to be another busy season for EnterTRAINment Junction, which attracts more than 130,000 visitors annually, from 50 states and 37 foreign countries,” Mefford said. “It’s really neat to watch everyone’s reaction. They take two steps in and they go ‘Wow.”

About the Author