After last year's absence, Terror Tracks will make a return for the Maple Leaf Festival at the Depot.

Something will go bump in the night once again during the Maple Leaf Festival. Terror Tracks, a haunted train ride that goes from the Midland Railway to Nowhere and back, is returning to the festival schedule with rides available Friday and Saturday.

The joint effort of Midland and Baldwin City Community Theatre has always been popular. But, last year, the festival didn’t fall right with the calendar for Halloween fun.

There will be three cars on the train to spook one and all, said Chris Cook, who is heading up the effort this year.

“The terror car is a deadly maze of horrifying sights and sounds with the occasional queasy touch,” said Cook.

“Passengers load the train in Baldwin and ride south to Nowhere. On the way, it has been said that you might see a headless horse person and once in a while we have disturbed a group of witches performing some type of ritual.

“This year, we have been told that there are zombies in the woods near Nowhere and it is possible that we might see some if they take too long turning the engine around,” he said. “The ride is a good 45 minutes long and during the trip small groups of brave souls will be escorted to the back of the train where they will be exposed to some horrific emotionally disturbing sights.”

The rides are at 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. In addition to the Maple Leaf run, Terror Tracks will also be running Oct. 27 and Oct. 28 with the same times. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children.

“The early train is safer for small children as our spooks and goblins are reluctant to come out before it is completely dark,” said Cook. “The second train at 8 gets pretty risky as we often disturb the spooks and find them in a foul mood. But, the 9:30 run is for the mature audience and you ride at your own risk.

“Come experience the terror of the October nights as we barrow through the Kansas farmlands where nothing could ever go wrong : or could it?” he said.