Kirby Family Farm in Williston, Florida

Oct 19

Williston, Florida · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesPublic visits mainly during themed events such as ScaryTrain; private field trips by request

Kirby Family Farm is a 501(c)(3) educational farm and railroad museum in Williston, Florida, where historic railroad equipment, farm exhibits and machinery become teaching tools for at-risk children and the young people the farm mentors.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) museum
Farm of more than 110 acres
October ScaryTrain nights
Christmas, Easter and Halloween events
Field trips for a donation

Kirby Family Farm at a glance

Hours: No regular public hours; open to the public during themed events and arranged visits
Admission: Event tickets vary; field trips and group outings are free with a suggested donation
Train rides: Train rides during ScaryTrain and the Christmas event; ScaryTrain trains leave about every half hour from about 7:30 pm
Seasonal events: ScaryTrain, Christmas train, Easter event, Six Gun Territory Reunion
Best for: Families attending holiday train events
Best ages: Christmas and Easter events for all ages; ScaryTrain for older kids and teens

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Contact and directions

Address19650 NE 30th Street, Williston, FL 32696(opens in a new tab)
Phone(352) 812-7435
Emailinfo@kirbyfarm.com
Websitekirbyfarm.com(opens in a new tab)

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Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Kirby Family Farm? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Williston.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A farm that uses trains to keep kids on track

Kirby Family Farm describes itself as a history, educational and railroad museum, and its mission line says it plainly: helping kids stay on track, or get back on track, in life. The farm's railroad equipment, agricultural displays and mechanical artifacts are the classroom. Staff and supporters use them to teach at-risk, foster and special-needs children about history, industry and science, and about the effort it takes to build something in life.

The farm in Levy County covers more than 110 acres, and the Heritage Rail Alliance listing says it hosts over 10,000 children a year through its outreach programs. Its public themed events serve a second purpose: teens in the program help run them, sharing what they know about the exhibits with visitors in a supervised setting, which the farm says builds real workforce and communication skills. The farm notes that less than 9 percent of its program effort goes to those themed events, with the rest spent on its museum and education work.

Railroad equipment, farm exhibits and machinery

The farm calls itself a living museum, with a collection of historic railroad equipment alongside agricultural, industrial and science exhibits. It does not post a full equipment roster online, so the best way to see the collection is during one of the public events or on an arranged field trip.

Don’t miss

ScaryTrainThe farm's best-known event, an October night train ride through themed scenes such as Clown Woods, The Trailer Park, Danowski's Dungeon and the Hearse Hunt.
The Christmas trainA holiday train event that, along with ScaryTrain, is what most visitors know the farm for.

Which Kirby events fit which kids

ScaryTrain is built to rattle nerves, with clowns, a dungeon and a hearse hunt, so it suits teens and brave older kids more than little ones. The Christmas and Easter themed events are the gentler choices for younger train fans. The farm also runs Brave Girls, an outreach and encouragement program for girls ages 12 to 18; email info@kirbyfarm.com to ask about it.

Plan your visit: tips for Kirby Family Farm

Register for themed events as early as possible; the farm encourages early sign-up.
Field trips, group outings and special occasions can be requested, but slots are limited so they do not clash with outreach programs.
ScaryTrain is intense; save it for kids who like a real scare.
Email info@kirbyfarm.com with questions about visits or volunteering.

The farm's public calendar centers on its themed events. ScaryTrain returns for 2026 with Clown Woods, The Trailer Park, Danowski's Dungeon, the Hearse Hunt and a new haunt, with the first train leaving at about 7:30 pm and more every half hour. A Christmas train follows later in the year. For more holiday ideas, see our guides to Halloween train rides in Florida and Christmas train rides in Florida.

Supporters, sponsors and volunteers

Kirby Family Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on supporters, event guests and farm partners, including Hungry Howie's as the official ScaryTrain sponsor. The farm invites anyone thinking about volunteering or giving to attend one of its events first, and a donation with any field trip helps cover costs and fund the mission.

More Florida rail stops within a couple of hours

The Orange Blossom Cannonball runs about 59 miles away in Tavares, and the Central Florida Railroad Museum in Winter Garden is about 77 miles off. Jacksonville's old Jacksonville Terminal is about 81 miles away. For the full list, see train museums across Florida.

Every train museum in Florida

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs — From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

ScaryTrain rolls out after dark through clown woods and dungeons, which is a lot more spooky than anything in our book. Still, I understand the thrill. Rally's ride has one dark tunnel where everyone holds their breath, and then a big bright light pours in and the whole car cheers. My kids are learning to read right now, and that page is the one they ask to sound out themselves.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Train museums in Florida: every museum by town, with a map
Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
Christmas train rides in Florida
Halloween train rides in Florida
Every Amtrak route with kids

Work or volunteer at Kirby Family Farm?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Kirby Family Farm: 20 questions before you go

What is the Kirby Family Farm railroad?

Kirby Family Farm is a nonprofit educational farm and railroad museum in Williston, Florida. It uses historic railroad equipment, farm exhibits and machinery to teach and mentor at-risk, foster and special-needs children. The public can ride its trains during themed events, most famously the October ScaryTrain and a Christmas train.

Where is Kirby Family Farm?

Kirby Family Farm is at 19650 NE 30th Street in Williston, in Levy County, Florida, west of Ocala. The farm posts a Map and Directions link on its ScaryTrain page, which is the safest guide on event nights. Call (352) 812-7435 if you have trouble finding the entrance.

Is Kirby Family Farm open to the public every day?

No. The farm runs outreach programs year round, but it does not post regular public hours. The public visits during themed events or on arranged field trips, group outings and special occasions when space allows. Check kirbyfarm.com or the farm's Facebook page for the current event calendar before driving out.

How much does it cost to visit Kirby Family Farm?

There is no charge for arranged field trips and group outings. The farm asks for a reasonable donation to cover the cost of your visit and support its mission. Themed events such as ScaryTrain are ticketed separately, and prices are posted with each event on kirbyfarm.com, so check there for the current amount.

What is ScaryTrain at Kirby Family Farm?

ScaryTrain is the farm's October haunted train ride and its best-known public event. For 2026 it features Clown Woods, The Trailer Park, Danowski's Dungeon, the Hearse Hunt and a new haunt. The farm describes it as nerve rattling and heart pumping, so it is aimed at guests who enjoy a real fright.

What time does ScaryTrain start?

The farm says the first ScaryTrain leaves at approximately 7:30 pm, with trains running every half hour after that. Exact event dates change each year, so check the ScaryTrain page on kirbyfarm.com for the 2026 schedule and register early, since the farm encourages guests to sign up for themed events as soon as possible.

Is ScaryTrain too scary for young kids?

It may be. ScaryTrain is designed to be intense, with clowns, a dungeon and a hearse hunt, so most families save it for older kids and teens who enjoy haunted attractions. Younger train fans will likely be happier at the farm's Christmas or Easter themed events, which are gentler ways to see the trains.

Does Kirby Family Farm have a Christmas train?

Yes. Along with ScaryTrain, the farm is known for a Christmas train event, one of the themed events it holds to thank supporters and raise awareness of its programs. Dates and registration links are posted on kirbyfarm.com when the season opens, and the farm recommends registering early.

What other events does Kirby Family Farm hold?

Besides ScaryTrain and Christmas, the farm hosts an Easter themed experience and a Six Gun Territory Reunion. These events let teens in the farm's programs practice sharing what they know about the exhibits with visitors. Check kirbyfarm.com or the farm's Facebook page for dates and sign-up links.

Can I book a field trip at Kirby Family Farm?

Yes, when space allows. The farm offers private field trips, group outings and special occasion visits to supporters, with no set charge but a request for a reasonable donation. These slots are limited so they do not interfere with outreach programs. Email info@kirbyfarm.com to ask about dates.

Can I have a birthday party at Kirby Family Farm?

The farm does not list a birthday party package online. It does offer private special occasion visits when it can fit them around its outreach programs, with a donation requested. Email info@kirbyfarm.com or call (352) 812-7435 to ask whether a party is possible.

What can you see at Kirby Family Farm?

The farm describes itself as a living museum with historic railroad equipment plus agriculture, industry and science exhibits, spread across more than 110 acres. It does not publish a detailed list of locomotives or cars online, so the best way to see the collection is during a public event or an arranged visit.

Who does Kirby Family Farm serve?

The farm's main focus is children: at-risk, foster, medically needy, terminally ill and special-needs kids. According to the Heritage Rail Alliance listing, it hosts more than 10,000 children each year through its outreach programs. Its goal is to help young people stay on track in life, or get back on track.

What is the Brave Girls program at Kirby Family Farm?

Brave Girls is an outreach and encouragement program the farm runs for girls ages 12 to 18. The farm does not post a full schedule for it online. Families interested in joining should email info@kirbyfarm.com to learn how the program works and when it meets.

Is Kirby Family Farm a nonprofit?

Yes. Kirby Family Farm is a 501(c)(3) not for profit educational farm and museum. It is a member of several associations as a history, educational and railroad museum, including the Heritage Rail Alliance, and it is supported by donations, event guests and farm partners such as Hungry Howie's and CSX.

How can I volunteer at Kirby Family Farm?

The farm encourages anyone considering volunteering or support to attend one of its themed events first to see the programs in action. After that, email info@kirbyfarm.com or call (352) 812-7435 to ask about volunteer roles. Donations with field trips also help fund the mission.

Are there places to eat at Kirby Family Farm events?

The farm answers this question on its ScaryTrain page, and Hungry Howie's Pizza is the official ScaryTrain sponsor. Food options can change by event and year, so read the current event page on kirbyfarm.com before you go, or message the farm's Facebook page.

Is Kirby Family Farm wheelchair accessible?

The farm does not post accessibility details online. Because it is a large outdoor farm and events run at night, call (352) 812-7435 or email info@kirbyfarm.com before you go to ask about boarding the train, paths and parking for guests who use wheelchairs or strollers.

Where can I stay near Kirby Family Farm?

The farm lists Comfort Suites Rainbow River in Dunnellon, near the Rainbow River, among its farm partners. Ocala is also a short drive east of Williston. Book early in October, since ScaryTrain nights draw crowds from around the region.

What train museums are near Kirby Family Farm?

The Orange Blossom Cannonball in Tavares is about 59 miles away, the Central Florida Railroad Museum in Winter Garden about 77 miles, and the old Jacksonville Terminal about 81 miles. The Historic Plant City Union Depot is about 97 miles south if you are heading toward Tampa.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil