Family fun for Halloween at the Iron Mountain RR

A variety of fun, family events for Halloween are scheduled at the St. Louis Iron Mountain Railway Train Depot in Jackson, beginning this Friday and Saturday, when the Haunted Train Car will be open for visitors. This especially scarey attraction holds an unusual history, according to Jeff Moffat, train chief and volunteer at the railway.

"The legend goes back to the 1800s, when there was a terrible train accident and this car derailed and fell into the swamp land of southeast Missouri," he stated. "The tragedy was that all the people in the car, men, women, children, and even babies, were drowned. They were not able to pull the car up out of the swamp until some time later, and when they did, they found the bones of all the passengers in the car, and they said the spirits of the passengers were still in the car. No one wanted to go near it because it was definitely haunted. Eventually the car was brought back to the depot, but no one is allowed in it except at this time of year, when the spirits roam about."

The Haunted Train Car was voted one of the best values of all haunted attractions in the region and voted 4/5 screams by the Southeast Missourian newspaper in 2009. The Haunted Train Car will be open on Fridays and Saturday, 7-11 p.m., Oct. 15-16, 22-23, and 29-30-31. Admission to the car is $4 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, a big yard sale will be held at the train depot under the big tent. This sale will benefit the 'Pennies for Paint' campaign. Other vendors are welcome to set up under the big tent as well, for a $10 fee. Please call the depot to reserve a spot.

On Saturday, Oct. 30 the Halloween train, the 'Spider Express,' will leave the depot at 1 p.m. There will be special Halloween treats for everyone aboard the train, and great family fun with a scarey Halloween story during the ride and a funny auction for kids. Tickets are available at the depot office.

Also on Saturday, Oct. 30, there will be a Halloween costume contest and a decorated pumpkin contest at the train depot, at 4:00 p.m. There will be two categories for the costume contest, adults, and children 13 and under. Participants should bring their decorated pumpkins to the depot to be judged. Prizes will be awarded in all three contests.

A Halloween Scavenger Hunt will begin at 4 p.m., featuring wild and wacky things to do and treasures to find all around Jackson. Teams, consisting of friends or a family, can sign up for the scavenger hunt by calling 243-1688 or 450-8367. You must sign up ahead of time to participate in the scavenger hunt and deadline for sign up is Friday, Oct. 29. This activity is guaranteed to be a barrel of fun for everyone involved. Prizes will also be awarded to the winning team.

These Halloween activities will benefit 'Pennies for Paint,' a campaign to raise funds to paint the engine on the Iron Mountain train. Anyone seeking more information can call the depot at 243-1688 or 450-8367.