NORTHEAST INDIANA – Following a successful season of memorable events and recent recognition as Indiana’s “Best New Experience” from the Indiana Tourism Association, a 1940s-era railroad attraction has expanded its calendar of excursions in Northeast Indiana, Southeast Michigan, and Northwest Ohio for 2023.
Operated by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad Company, the Indiana Rail Experience has events planned between May and December, including steam-powered fall color tours, Christmas train rides, and a hands-on Indiana Rail Camp for young adults and railroad fans. The season will begin with the Indiana Ice Cream Train operating out of Angola on Memorial Day weekend and special events on Father’s Day weekend.
Returning will be the popular all-day excursions to Hillsdale, Michigan, and Wine & Whiskey Trains that will operate throughout the year. Included in the calendar of events will also be a special Railroad Open House event featuring several steam and diesel locomotives at the Indiana Northeastern’s locomotive shop in Hudson, Indiana.
Ticket sales for the season’s initial events will begin on April 19th at 6:00 PM at indianarailexperience.org. Dates, venues, and trip details are subject to change.
Excursions will feature both diesel locomotives and historic Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765 on select occasions. Trains include vintage passenger cars from the 1920s through the 1950s, with accommodations in deluxe coach, first-class, lounge, and dining cars. Group packages and private passenger car charters will also be available.
“This is only a new era not only for our organization but for cultural heritage tourism in the Northeast Indiana region,” said Kelly Lynch, Vice President of the Fort Wayne Railroad. “There is no other tourist railroad that connects three states together like this one and it presents a significant opportunity to use our transportation history and attractions as a way to welcome thousands of people to this region. This is just the start of a series of exciting announcements this year and we anticipate this program will continue to grow, especially in Steuben County.”
Operated entirely by volunteers, the increased number of events this year also means that the Indiana Rail Experience is recruiting this year for positions in event administration, docents, operations, gift store, on-board, and customer service roles. Interested participants can apply at fortwaynerailroad.org/volunteer.
Events will be hosted in cooperation with the Little River Railroad, Gramling Locomotive Works, Trine University, Norfolk & Western Business Car No. 300 Preservation Society, City of Angola, and City of Hillsdale, Michigan, and the Steuben County Tourism Bureau.
2023 PUBLIC EVENTS CALENDAR
All trips are roundtrips. Dates, venues, prices, and trip details are subject to change.
MAY 27th & 28th – ICE CREAM TRAINS
Steam-powered train rides departing Angola, Indiana. Tickets start at $15.00.
JUNE 17th – DONUTS & DADS TRAIN and SUMMER BBQ TRAIN
Steam-powered train rides departing Angola, Indiana during Father’s Day weekend. Tickets start at $15.00 for Donuts & Dads and $75.00 for the Summer BBQ Train.
JUNE 18th – 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 24th – ICE CREAM TRAINS
Diesel-powered train rides departing Angola, Indiana. Tickets start at $15.00.
JULY 1st – ROLLING SMOKE CIGAR TRAIN
Diesel-powered cigar train with special guest Erik Espinosa. Departing Pleasant Lake, Indiana for Hillsdale, Michigan. Tickets start at $199.00 and include a variety of amenities and cigars.
JULY 7th & 8th – WINE & CHOCOLATE TRAIN
Diesel-powered train rides departing Angola for passengers 21-and-over. Tickets start at $75.00.
JULY 13th – 15th – 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.
JULY 15th – WINE & WHISKEY TRAIN
Steam-powered train ride departing Angola for passengers 21-and-over. Tickets start at $75.00.
JULY 16th – ICE CREAM TRAINS
Diesel-powered train rides departing Angola. Tickets start at $15.00.
JULY 29th & 30th – RAILROAD OPEN HOUSE
Featuring Little River Railroad, Gramling Locomotive Works, and Nickel Plate Road no. 765 in Hudson, Indiana. Admission is free. Train rides start at $10.00.
AUGUST 19th – SOUTH MILFORD MEMORIAL DEDICATION TRAIN
Steam train ride departing South Milford, Indiana. Tickets start at $15.00.
AUGUST 20th – TAILS, ALES & RAILS
Train rides for good dogs and their owners departing Pleasant Lake, Indiana. Tickets are $45.00.
SEPTEMBER 30th – RUDY’S ROLLING SMOKE CIGAR TRAIN
Rudy’s is partnering with Micallef and Stolen Throne Cigars for a pre-trip BBQ lunch and smoke out in Pleasant Lake, Indiana with live entertainment at the station starting at 11:00 AM, followed by a three-hour train trip to south-central Michigan. Tickets start at $125.00.
OCTOBER 7th & 8th – INDIANA FALL COLOR TRAIN
All-day steam excursions departing Pleasant Lake for Hillsdale. Tickets start at $99.00.
OCTOBER 14th & 15th – MICHIGAN FALL COLOR TRAIN
Steam & diesel excursion departing Hillsdale for Angola. Tickets start at $99.00.
NOVEMBER 24th-26th – 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 8TH-10th – INDIANA CHRISTMAS TRAIN
Diesel-powered holiday excursions and events departing Pleasant Lake. Tickets start at $35.00.
DECEMBER 15TH – 17th – INDIANA CHRISTMAS TRAIN
Diesel-powered holiday train 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.
Sounds like fun, especially trains pulled by steam!
Hello: How do I book two reservations on your “Tri-State Scenic Steam Excursion” scheduled June 18? When tickets go on sale to the general public April 19 at 6 pm, how do I locate your online booking website? Can tickets be purchased by calling a telephone number? This is my first time purchasing tickets with the Indiana Rail Experience, and I’m unfamiliar with your ticketing procedures. Thank you for your kind assistance! Sincerely, Robert William Hazel roberthazel659@gmail.com
Hi Robert, tickets will be available on this website. A full event page will be listed soon, but you’ll be able to book from the landing/home page, menu, and a separate event page.
Are you doing most of the trains in Angola now? Or transitioning there? We live far from there so we always liked the New Haven location as that is 30 mins for us vs 1.5 hours of Angola? We LOVE New Haven trains, events, set up, etc!
Hi Ashley, we’re still planning for some events in New Haven this year but we’re able to really run and host much larger events in Angola and the Northeast Indiana region. We PROMISE it’s worth the drive!
I agree with your comment Ashley.
A lot nicer to depart from
New Haven!!
Unfortunately, there is no way we can expand our events and excursions out of New Haven.
This would be fun my family loves train rides
Congratulations on your tourism partnership! So exciting to have 765 gracing the rails through 3 states. Your early tag line rings true – “We’re On Our Way” to a bright, new future!
See you trackside!
LOVED THE CIGAR RIDE LAST FALL CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!!!
Hi Mark, then you’ll love what we have in store this year!
I have a couple of questions. On the OCTOBER 14th & 15th – MICHIGAN FALL COLOR TRAIN – what are the available seating and access points for Seniors like myself? I can walk a limited distance with little trouble. However steep stairs, ladders and extended height steps I require assistance with.
My second question on the trip, is it round-trip from Michigan to Angola or one-way? If one-way, how do we return?
Thank you for any assistance you may be able to provide.
Hi David, all trips are roundtrips. We do not operate any one-way excursions or events.
We do have plans for a portable lift and likewise are planning for shuttle buses to assist passengers during their layovers.
How does one become a trainman for FWHS excursions? I have served behind the 765 for Steam in the Valley at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Hi Harlan! Fill out our volunteer form here: https://fortwaynerailroad.org/volunteer/#application
We will be there! Sounds great! Thank you
We will be there! Sounds great!
We took my autistic grandson for his first ride on the ice cream train last summer. He fell in love and can not wait to be back together with his Nickle-plate 765 again. Beautiful memory for all of us.
Love to hear it Tari! Look forward to having you back.
What is the planned destination / turnaround point for the July 19th trip originating in South Mitford?
Thanks for these wonderful opportunities to ride!
Chris, thank you! Most likely Ashley/Hudson or Hamilton.
Hi Kelly – Is the 765 coming to the Cuyahoga Scenic Railroad this year? If so, are you still doing the “throttle time”?
Hi Kim, No CVSR this year, but we do anticipate expanding our Throttle Time elsewhere this year as soon as our waivers are granted. Stay tuned!
The trip we want to take is not listed yet. I have been waiting to book a July 7 trip, but I cannot find. When will you be posting and able to book for the Wine and Chocolate Train,
Thank you, Terry Sheets
Hi Terry! Initial ticket sales on April 19th are for events in May and June. July tickets should come online in mid-May.
Besides the tri state, what is the longest ride?
Colt, the Wine & Whiskey Trains, BBQ Trains, etc are generally all 3-4 hours in duration.
Oct. 7th & 8th Fall color Pleasant Lake to Hillsdale is that Pleasant Lake Indiana or Pleasant Lake Michigan ?
Hi Larry, Pleasant Lake Indiana. Not sure if there ever was a railroad to Pleasant Lake, Michigan.
Nothing for Mother’s Day?
Maria, unfortunately, some logistical deadlines caused us to postpone our earlier May plans until next year.
Please explain open air and coach seating?
Cathy, our open-air car is a converted railroad baggage car with a bar, barstools, and four large, gated open doorways for passengers to enjoy the sights and sounds of the train and the passing countryside. It’s more of a car for those seeking a special railroad fan experience. Our deluxe coaches have reclining chairs and climate control.
It looks like you are only doing the Santa Train in New Haven one weekend this year. If so, that is very disappointing. It is one of our favorite family traditions, and it is already hard to get tickets for that event since it sells out so quickly.
Hi Emerald! For what it’s worth, members of our organization get pre-sale access to all tickets for every event. While we have a large member base, it’s a much smaller number of them that are in the market for our Santa Trains. The planned trips out of Pleasant Lake will expand upon the traditional caboose trains and could very well be a favorite family tradition as well, or so we hope!