The Indiana Rail Experience is powered by the time machines of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc.

Our remarkable locomotives and passenger cars once defined America’s golden age of railroading. Lovingly restored by dedicated volunteers, these time machines now operate for your enjoyment.

Aboard our trains, you can savor a freshly prepared breakfast in a 1920s-era Pullman car, take in the sights and sounds of the journey from one of our first-class open-window cars, reserve a table in our classic 1950s dining car, and experience the unique sensory experience of riding behind an authentic steam or diesel locomotive from the 1940s and ’50s.

Except for our open-air and open-window cars, each passenger car is climate-controlled, and all trains are equipped with multiple onboard restrooms for your comfort.

Our passenger train fleet typically includes the following cars, but not every train will feature each car. Please check specific event listings and ticket information for details.

Deluxe Coach Class
– New York Central No. 2568*
– Collinsville Inn No. 142*†
– Franklin Inn No. 148†

First Class | Table & Lounge Cars
– Silver Diner
– Pacific Island*

Open Window Class | Table & Lounge Cars
– Centlivre Park No. 5762 (Open Window)*†
– Lawton Park No. 5735 (Open Window)*†

Pullman Class | Lounge and Private Cars
– Roanoke*
– Kitchi Gammi Club*

* indicates restroom onboard
† indicates ADA-capable seating

Built for the New York, Chicago, & St. Louis Railroad (commonly known as the Nickel Plate Road or NKP) in 1944, the 765 was constructed by the Lima Locomotive Works as one of 80 Berkshire-type locomotives ordered by the railroad. The Berkshire design was one of the most significant developments in locomotive technology during the 20th Century as it combined new technologies and steaming methods to simultaneously improve upon both speed and horsepower, permitting railroads to operate larger trains at higher, sustained speeds.

The 765 commonly operated in freight and passenger service for the railroad between Chicago, Fort Wayne, and Bellevue, Ohio, until June of 1958. It was last in service to provide steam for a stranded passenger train in Fort Wayne that the following winter, making it the last Nickel Plate Road Berkshire under steam for the railroad.

During its time in service, the 765 had earned the reputation as a dependable machine and was well-liked by local crews. As a result, the 765 was placed in store inside the East Wayne engine house in New Haven, Indiana, until the early 1960s when it was selected by the railroad for donation and preservation to the City of Fort Wayne. In 1963, the locomotive was renumbered 767 for ceremonial purposes and installed in Lawton Park at the corner of 4th and Clinton Streets. By 1972, the condition of the locomotive had deteriorated, and the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society was formed to preserve and eventually restore the locomotive to operation.

By 1974, the locomotive was removed from the park and was operational by 1979. Since then, it has served primarily in public exhibition and passenger excursion service through 16 states, racking up hundreds of thousands of miles, entertaining millions of people, and accomplishing numerous landmark achievements. In 2001, no. 765 underwent an $800,000 rebuild effort, and when its complete restoration was finalized in 2011, work to bring it back to its original 1940s condition had cost over $1.2 million.

Weighing in at 400 tons and standing 16 feet tall, the 765 is one of the most active historic steam locomotives still operating in the United States and a roving ambassador and teaching tool for Northeast Indiana.

For more information on the 765, click here.

No. 358 was one of twenty diesel locomotives built by Electro-Motive to replace the Nickel Plate Road’s steam engine fleet, which included Nickel Plate Road Berkshire-type steam locomotive no. 765. Designated as “Special Duty” locomotives, the SD9-type locomotive helped end the era of steam power thanks to their reduced maintenance costs. The 358 went on to serve Norfolk & Western and Norfolk Southern for decades before it was retired. The 358 is the only operational Nickel Plate SD9 to look as it did when new and the only one to operate in rail tourism service. The 358 entered service after additional mechanical and electrical work in late mid-2024.

More than 13,000 volunteer hours and six years have been invested into the 358’s restoration, and the work was also supported by over $100,000 in financial and in-kind contributions.

In addition to Progress Rail, successor to Electro-Motive, and its employees, supporters have included Steel Dynamics, Nickel Plate Railroad Historical & Technical Society, Crown Battery, Mid America Railcar Leasing, Horizon Rail, and numerous private individuals with locomotive expertise.

For more information on the 358, click here.

Built in 1955 by the American Car & Foundry at St. Charles, MO, this stainless steel baggage car operated as part of the finest passenger trains of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, including The Chief, Super Chief, El Capitan, Grand Canyon, and many others.

This car routinely carried the shipments, personal effects, and luggage for passengers and railroad customers on a 2,227-mile journey between Chicago and Los Angeles. Between Santa Fe and later Amtrak, the car is estimated to have accumulated several million miles during its 64 years of regular passenger train service.

Acquired by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society in 2019, we have transformed the baggage car into a unique open-air passenger car so that guests can enjoy the sights and sounds of historic railroading. It currently also doubles as our merchandise car.

It is named after the late John H. Emery, a lifelong railroad enthusiast, whose generous endowment to the Emery Rail Heritage Trust guarantees that the Golden Age of Railroading will continue to be preserved and enjoyed. In 2022, this car was completed with the assistance of their $10,000 grant and over 2,000 hours contributed by our members. The Fort Wayne Railroad is proud to name this former Santa Fe car in John Emery’s honor.

Constructed in 1949 by the Budd Company in Philadelphia, the Collinsville Inn and Franklin Inn, were built initially as sleeping cars for the Pennsylvania Railroad’s famous passenger trains, several of which operated through Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In 1963, Pennsylvania converted the cars into traditional passenger coaches to transport visitors to the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Later, they were assigned to commuter train services in Michigan, New York, and Maryland before they were donated to DCNRHS in 2008. Thanks in part to a 2012 Trains Magazine grant to “introduce new generations of rail enthusiasts to the history and excitement of mainline rail travel,” the cars were restored to their 1960s appearance and certified for use on Amtrak.

Both Inn cars feature limited ADA-capable seating and the Collinsville Inn has one ADA-capable restroom.

The Inn cars are joined by the recently renovated New York Central No. 2568, which features oversized windows, a restroom, and unique walk-over seats, allowing guests to change the direction of each seat. 2568 was part of the Central’s “Great Steel Fleet” of passenger cars, which were commonly seen on the Water Level Route in Northeast Indiana in Waterloo, Butler, and Elkhart, Indiana, as well as Hillsdale, Jonesville, Quincy, and Coldwater, Michigan. The reconditioning of 2568 cost over $330,000 and lasted two years.

2568 was constructed for the New York Central’s Empire State Express fleet and debuted on December 7, 1941. The Empire State Express cars were designed to offer “streamlined luxury and everyday travel,” and were among the few stainless steel streamlined trains powered by steam.

Car 2568 was converted for commuter service in the 1960s, which included modifications to its interior and an expansion of its seating capacity. The car has been refurbished to this configuration to retain its capacity and still retains the baggage racks and lighting from the 1940s.

The Fort Wayne Railroad acquired this car — along with six others from the original 1941 fleet — in 2022, thanks to a partnership with the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Plans call for the remainder of the Empire State Express fleet to be restored in a manner faithful to their original first-class configurations, which will include a lounge car and table car.

Silver Diner is ideal for couples, families, or groups of friends traveling together. It is one of our most popular cars, owing to its intimate table seating and party-like atmosphere.

Originally part of the famous California Zephyr fleet, which operated between Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco, the Silver Diner is the first such dining car to be owned by the Fort Wayne Railroad.

Built in 1948, the Silver Diner was operated for nearly 70 years by both the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad and later Amtrak, which updated the car in the early 2000s. The car served as part of Amtrak’s Heritage Fleet until it was retired in 2017 and later donated to the FWRHS in 2019. It is one of four surviving cars from the Zephyr’s dining car fleet. Volunteers contributed over 3,000 volunteer hours to its reconditioning.

Kitchi Gammi Club is the most prestigious car in our fleet. This car is perfect for guests seeking a charming, nostalgic experience in the solarium lounge or buffet table section.

This car once operated in first-class passenger train service for the Nickel Plate Road. It routinely traveled as a part of its named passenger trains until 1953, when it was converted into an official company business car. It was later deemed surplus after serving in wreck train service.

Between 1988 and 2019, Virginia Rail Investment Corporation and its owners Chuck Akers and Chuck Jensen meticulously overhauled and restored the car. It features elegant seating for 10 in its Pullman Buffet Section, sleeping berths for 10 guests, plus two bedrooms, and its solarium lounge, which features 180-degree views of the passing scenery, can accommodate 10 guests. It was acquired by our organization in 2025.

This car is also available for limited Amtrak charters on the national rail network, and inquiries should be made through the ticket agent.

Centlivre Park is an ideal car for the passenger seeking an adventure – whether it be through the open windows and large, double-dutch doors, or in the company of old friends at the four-top tables and new friends you’ll meet on board. The car features a central bar and restroom as well.

Converted from a former Ringing Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus car, the Centlivre Park is outfitted with Jazz Era and Art Deco decor and combines table-car seating with generously sized open windows and four large Dutch viewing doors, allowing passengers to enjoy the passing countryside and the sights and sounds of historic railroading at speed. This car features fans and heaters, but it is not air conditioned due to its primary feature: the open windows.

Car 5735 was recently restored for hosting receptions and close-knit gatherings. One end of the car features lounge seats and an ADA restroom, and the other features a half-bar and a combination of couches and parlor chairs. The car maintains several generously sized open windows and four large Dutch viewing doors for a unique combination of first-class amenities and vintage railroad charm.

It is outfitted for private parties and cigar smoking (during specific trips and only when advertised) and spacious areas perfect for private groups. The original elephant carriage has been retained for use for select bookings and smaller groups. This car features fans and heaters, but it is not air conditioned due to its primary feature: the open windows.

For guests seeking quieter accommodations, Pacific Island offers a subdued parlor section and several private guest suites away from the hustle and bustle. These suites are ideal for guests with sensory processing needs.

Pacific Island was built in June 1950 as a sleeper lounge for the Union Pacific by the Budd Company. It also features a small catering kitchen, a Mid-Century lounge, and seating for 18. Several suites and the lounge feature restrooms within easy reach. The car is owned by Adios Rail.

If you’ve ever wanted to own your very own private rail car, a ride in the Roanoke is the next best thing.

Built by Pullman in 1917 for the Norfolk & Western Railroad, No. 300 was used by railroad executives throughout the railroad system for 30 years.  The car was named the Roanoke in 1977 but was deemed surplus in 1987 when it was acquired into private ownership and placed in long-term storage in 1991. In 2020, the car was donated to the Norfolk & Western Business Car 300 Preservation Society, and since then, it has been repainted to its original Norfolk & Western livery.

With its close quarters setting, low guest capacity of 15 passengers, and observation platform, this car is intended for small groups and families. It features a small kitchen, two suites, a dining room, a lounge, and two restrooms. It is commonly used for private charters and featured on the rear of our passenger trains. Requests for chartering this car are in high demand, and inquiries should be made through the ticket agent.