October 10th – DIESEL POWERED
Hillsdale, Michigan – Reading, Michigan
HILLSDALE RAILROAD FESTIVAL
Seasonal train rides to Crossroads Farm and an evening block party in Hillsdale, Michigan
TRAIN DATES
Summary
ITINERARY
11:30 – 4:10 – Trains operate between Hillsdale and Reading, Michigan
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Hillsdale Block Party
Boarding
Hillsdale, MI 49242
Parking
TICKET PRICES
Ticket offerings include individual seats, table seats, and lounge seats. Select tickets include specific accommodations and amenities.
Deluxe Coach Class
$15 – $25.00
Open Window Lounge
$35.00
Open Window Table
$95.00
First Class Table
$100.00
Pullman Class
$75 – $145.00
SCHEDULE
Trip 1
11:30 AM – Departs Hillsdale
12:00 PM – Arrives Reading; Group 1 alights
12:20 PM – Departs Reading empty
12:50 PM – Returns to Hillsdale
Trip 2
1:10 PM – Departs Hillsdale with Group 2
1:40 PM – Arrives Reading; Group 2 alights and Group 1 boards
2:00 PM – Departs Reading
2:30 PM – Returns to Hillsdale
Clean Up Trip
2:50 PM – Departs Hillsdale empty
3:20 PM – Arrives Reading; Group 2 boards
3:40 PM – Departs Reading
4:10 PM – Returns to Hillsdale
Hillsdale Block Party
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Free and open to the public, live music, food trucks, street vendors, and local artists
HILLSDALE RAILROAD FESTIVAL
THE EXPERIENCE
On Saturday, October 11th, 2025, the Hillsdale Railroad Festival debuts with vintage train rides, a fall-themed farm destination, and a lively downtown block party.
Presented by the City of Hillsdale in partnership with the Indiana Northeastern Railroad and Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, the event celebrates the city’s railroad legacy with family-friendly fun and historic charm.
Ride the Crossroads Flyer to Crossroads Farm’s corn maze in Reading, Michigan, for outdoor fun, fall crafts and concessions, outdoor games, face painting, and a photo booth during the layover. Admission to Crossroads Farm is included in every ticket!
Ticketed trains will operate between Hillsdale and Crossroads Farm three times during the afternoon, providing families an hour-long layover for outdoor fun, with guests able to return on each subsequent return trip to Hillsdale when it returns to Reading with the next train.
Guests who opt extend their stay longer than the 1-hour layover and take a later trip will ride in Deluxe Coach or in overflow space on their return trip and are not guaranteed the same accommodations.
That night, explore the visiting train and enjoy live music, food trucks, and local vendors at the Hillsdale Block Party.
THE OFFERINGS
Deluxe Coach, Open Window, First Class, and Pullman Car tickets are available for this excursion. Children three years of age and younger who do not occupy a seat ride free in Deluxe Coach only. Open Window Lounge seats are reserved for guests 21 and over.
All tickets are individually priced unless specifically referenced or otherwise marked.
Due to ground conditions at Crossroads Farm, no ADA deboarding is available. ADA boarding in Hillsdale and seating is available only in Deluxe Coach.
Select First Class tickets include complimentary coffee and light refreshments. Additional amenities are included where listed.
Passengers may bring their own personal food and non-alcoholic drinks. Pets are not permitted, but service animals are welcome.
THE SCHEDULE
Each trip is timed to allow passengers and families time to visit the activities at Crossroads Farm. Guests are not required to visit Crossroads Farm, and those who prefer to stay on the train may do so for the immediate return trip to Hillsdale.
THE FINE PRINT
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Delivery: Tickets are emailed instantly upon purchase. Check your spam folder, but also ensure you enter your email correctly when ordering.
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Boarding Info: Parking and safety details are included in your confirmation email. Save it. We’ll also send reminders.
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Travel Together: To sit with friends, please book under one reservation.
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Refunds: Available 30+ days before travel. Credits offered for late cancellations.
- Provisions: Passengers may bring personal food and non-alcoholic refreshments.
- Pets: Service animals are welcome, but please leave pets at home.
- Accessibility: Due to their historic nature, only select cars are ADA accessible. They’re listed in the ticket selection screen.
- Review all of our terms, conditions, and safety advisories before travel.
ACCOMMODATIONS
DELUXE COACH
$15.00 - Single
$25.00 - Adults
- Deluxe Coach seating in the Collinsville Inn and Franklin Inn,
- Full climate-control
- Open vestibules
- ADA accommodations and restrooms
- Children three and under who do not occupy a seat, and babes in arms ride free
CENTLIVRE PARK
$95.00 - TABLE
- Open Window table ticket seats four guests in Centlivre Park
- Ideal for railroad fans to enjoy the sights and sounds of the passing scenery
- Complimentary light refreshments
- Opening and closing windows
- Four generous viewing doors
- This car is not climate-controlled, but it does include fans and heat
LAWTON PARK (18-and-over)
$35.00
- Open Window lounge and couch seating in Lawton Park
- Ideal for railroad fans to enjoy the sights and sounds of the passing scenery
- Complimentary light refreshments
- Opening and closing windows
- Four generous viewing doors
- This car is not climate-controlled, but it does include fans and heat
- This car is reserved for guests 18 years of age and older.
SILVER DINER TABLE TICKET (SEATS 4)
$100
- First Class table ticket seats four guests in Silver Diner, a 1950s dining car
- One ticket seats all guests in a party
- Full climate control
- Complimentary light refreshments
PULLMAN COUPLES TABLE (SEATS 2)
$175.00
- Couples Table accommodations for two guests in Kitchi Gammi, a 1920s Pullman built for the Nickel Plate Road
- Each ticket purchase will board and seat two guests at their own private table
- Complimentary beverage service
- Restrooms available on board
- Full climate control
PULLMAN LOUNGE SEAT
$75.00
- Lounge accommodations in Kitchi Gammi Club, a 1920s Pullman built for the Nickel Plate Road
- Complimentary beverage service
- Restrooms are available on board
- Full climate control
SCENES FROM OUR EXCURSIONS
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