Named Indiana’s “Best New Experience” by state tourism officials, 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! Click here to join our mailing list to get notified as ticket sales roll out for each event in 2024!
2024 PUBLIC EVENTS CALENDAR
All trips are roundtrips. Dates, venues, prices, and trip details are subject to change.
APRIL 27 – TATUAJE CIGAR TRAIN
Diesel-powered cigar train. Departing Pleasant Lake, Indiana for Hillsdale, Michigan. Tickets include a variety of amenities and cigars.
MAY 24th, 25th, 26th – ICE CREAM TRAINS
Steam-powered train rides departing Angola. Tickets start at $15.00.
MAY 25th – WINE & WHISKEY TRAIN
Steam-powered train ride departing Angola for passengers 21-and-over. Tickets start at $75.00.
JUNE 1st & 2nd – ICE CREAM TRAINS
Diesel-powered train rides departing Angola. Tickets start at $15.00.
JUNE 8th – BIKE TRAIN | HISTORY CYCLES BACK
Diesel-powered train ride from Pleasant Lake, Indiana to Angola, Indiana, and a bike ride return for a gathering at the historic Pleasant Lake depot. Tickets are $40.00.
JUNE 8th – PICNIC TRAIN
Diesel-powered train rides during the evening and afternoon for families and adults. Tickets start at $9.00 for coach passengers and first-class tables for $75.00.
JUNE 15th & 16th – TRI-STATE SCENIC EXCURSION
All-day, roundtrip steam excursion between Edon, Ohio, and Hillsdale, Michigan on Father’s Day. Tickets start at $99.00.
JUNE 17th – THROTTLE TIME
Step into the cab of 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 May 1st.
JULY 6th & 7th – WINE & CHOCOLATE TRAIN
Diesel-powered train rides departing Angola for passengers 21-and-over. Tickets start at $75.00.
JULY 13th & 14th – ICE CREAM TRAINS
Diesel-powered train rides departing Angola, Indiana. Tickets start at $15.00.
AUGUST 1st & 2nd – INDIANA RAIL CAMP
Immersive, three-day railroad skills and educational camp for young adults to develop their passions and skills and for scouts to earn their Railroad Merit Badge. Camp admission and registration are $150.00.
AUGUST 9th & 10th – PLEASANT LAKE DAYS
Static displays and tours of the restoration of the Pleasant Lake depot.
AUGUST 11th – PICNIC TRAIN
Diesel-powered train rides during the late morning and early afternoon for families and adults with a meet with Little River Railroad in Hillsdale, Michigan. Tickets start at $9.00 for coach passengers and first-class tables for $75.00.
AUGUST 23rd, 24th & 25th – ASHLEY – HUDSON DAYS
Diesel-powered train rides and during the Ashley-Hudson Days festival.
AUGUST 30th – SEPTEMBER 1st – ROLLING VICTORY / WWII EVENT
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.
SEPTEMBER 2nd – THROTTLE TIME
Step into the cab of 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 May 1st.
OCTOBER 5th – TAILS & ALES TRAIN
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 May 1st.
OCTOBER 12th – ROCKY PATEL CIGAR TRAIN
Diesel-powered cigar train. Departing Pleasant Lake, Indiana for Hillsdale, Michigan. Tickets start at $199.00 and include a variety of amenities and cigars.
OCTOBER 19th & 20th – FALL COLORS STEAM SPECIAL
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.
OCTOBER 25th, 26th & 27th – AUTUMN LIMITED
2.5 hour, diesel-powered train rides departing Pleasant Lake, Indiana for Reading, Michigan. Tickets start at $35.00. Ticket sales begin July 10th.
NOVEMBER 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th –
CHRISTMAS CABOOSE RIDES – Traditional diesel-powered Christmas train rides and group charters aboard Santa’s caboose in New Haven, Indiana. Tickets start at $9.00.
DECEMBER 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd
INDIANA CHRISTMAS TRAIN – Diesel-powered holiday excursions and events departing Pleasant Lake. Tickets start at $35.00
The Indiana Rail Experience is a celebration of our region’s remarkable railroad history and made possible through a special partnership with the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad.
