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Our 2024 Schedule is Arriving Soon!

Named Indiana’s “Best New Experience” by state tourism officials in 2023, the Indiana Rail Experience offers a variety of train trips and events including hour-long rides, themed event trains, and all-day excursions aboard our historic passenger trains from the 1940s and 50s!

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View Some Of Our Experiences

May 24th, 25th, 26th
June 1st, 2nd
July 13th, 14th

Hour-long train rides featuring complimentary ice cream departing Angola, Indiana. Tickets are $15.00 for children and $25.00 for adults. Children 3-and-under ride free. Ticket sales begin April 24th.

DETAILS & BOOKING

May 25th

Revel in a summer evening train ride departing Angola, Indiana with dinner appetizers, the spirit of your choice, and enjoy coach, first class tickets, a private car for groups, and our cigar car. Tickets start at $85.00. Ticket sales begin April 24th.

DETAILS & BOOKING

June 15th and June 16th

All-day steam excursion between Edon, Ohio and Michigan on Father’s Day Weekend. Deluxe Coach tickets start at $119.00. First Class tickets starts at $249.00. Ticket sales begin April 24th.

DETAILS & BOOKING

July 6th and July 7th

Savor wines and delicious dessert pairings aboard our diesel-powered trip with tickets for individuals, couples, tables, and private cars. Departing Angola, Indiana. Ticket sales begin April 24th.

DETAILS & BOOKING

April 27th and October 12th

Diesel-powered cigar train featuring cigars, drinks, lunch, and more! Departing Pleasant Lake, Indiana. Tickets start at $265.00.

DETAILS & BOOKING

June 17th and September 2nd

Step into the cab of your a historic steam or diesel locomotive and become an engineer or fireman for a 45-minute session while you operate the locomotive over the railroad. Ticket sales begin April 24th.

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June 8th

History cycles back as we join forces with Steuben County Trails for a train ride from Pleasant Lake, Indiana to Angola, Indiana and a bike ride return along the route of the future Poka-Bache Connector. Enjoy food, drinks, and friends as you learn about rail and trail development in the region. Tickets start at $40.00. Ticket sales begin April 24th.

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June 8th, June 9th and August 11th

Pack a picnic basket, bring the family, and invite your friends for a summertime outing aboard a vintage train during the evening or afternoon. Trip duration and routes will vary based on the date. Cars for guests 21-and-over will be available, too. Tickets start at $15.00 for coach passengers and first class tables for $75.00. Ticket sales begin April 24th.

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August 1st – 2nd

Young adults will work side-by-side with career railroaders, preservationists, and educators as they learn about freight and passenger railroading, railroad safety, history, construction, model railroading, and both modern diesel-electric and vintage steam locomotives.

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October 5th

Climb aboard this pet-friendly train for a Saturday afternoon cruise that will benefit local animal care centers. Registration is $45.00. Ticket sales begin April 24th.

 

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August 30 – September 1st

A three-day living history event celebrating American military, railroad, and home front history featuring vintage train rides, World War II reenactors, battles, a 1940s Dinner and Dance, classic automobiles, and an immersive and educational experience for all ages in Pleasant Lake, Indiana. Ticket sales begin in May.

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October 19th and 20th

All-day steam-powered fall color excursions in Indiana and Michigan departing Pleasant Lake, Indiana. Tickets start at $119.00. Ticket sales begin July 10th.

DETAILS & BOOKING

October 25th, 26th, and 27th

2.5 hour, diesel-powered train rides departing Pleasant Lake, Indiana for Reading, Michigan. Tickets start at $35.00. Ticket sales begin July 10th.

DETAILS & BOOKING

November 15th, 16th, 17th
November 22nd, 23rd, 24th

20-minute Christmas train rides with Santa Claus departing New Haven, Indiana. Ticket sales begin August 7th.

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December 6th, 7th, 8th
December 13th, 14th, 15th
December 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd

1.5-hour diesel-powered Christmas trains departing Pleasant Lake, Indiana. Ticket start at $35.00 for children and $45.00 for adults. Ticket sales begin August 7th.

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NOW DEPARTING

Historic Pleasant Lake Depot Acquired

In 2023, we acquired the historic Lake Shore & Michigan Southern station in Pleasant Lake, Indiana. In the coming years, we hope to restore this historic structure on Main Street for regular departures. Many of our trips depart Hillsdale, Michigan Angola, and Edon, Ohio, so be sure to check your ticketing and boarding information.

The Indiana Rail Experience is a celebration of this remarkable history made possible through a special partnership with the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad.

1469 West Main Street,
Pleasant Lake, Indiana

Trips depart from Pleasant Lake and other stations along our route. Please consult specific ticket and event details for parking and boarding information.

Listen for the whistle

We're preserving and making railroad history!

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society offers outstanding, educational experiences through the operation of one of the last surviving steam locomotives in the world: Nickel Plate Road no. 765.

The Indiana Rail Experience is a special partnership between the Fort Wayne Railroad and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad. This collaboration will bring the exciting sites and sounds to our region for years to come.

Northeast Indiana's Newest Attraction

The Indiana Rail Experience

At the turn of the 20th Century, Northeast, Indiana was powered by over a dozen railroads and interurban lines. Our communities were connected to every major city in the nation by high speed passenger trains and the revered steam locomotive. Very few lives were untouched by the rhythm of the rail.

The Indiana Rail Experience is a celebration of this remarkable history made possible through a special partnership with the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad.

Operated by

In partnership with