News Release
INDIANA — After being named Indiana’s Best New Experience in 2023, the
Indiana Rail Experience has returned to the region with an extended calendar of events that will delight visitors with new offerings and popular favorites on Memorial Day through Christmas.
The Indiana Rail Experience offers the opportunity to travel aboard vintage passenger trains operated with historic steam and diesel locomotives from the 1940s and 50s on a private railroad line that links Western Ohio, Northeast Indiana and Southeast Michigan. Tickets are on sale now.
In addition to its popular train rides, including the Indiana Ice Cream Train, Wine and Whiskey Train, Wine and Chocolate Train, Cigar Train, Fall Color Train, Railroad Camp and Christmas Train.
The Indiana Rail Experience is introducing the Picnic Train, Bike Train and hosting its second World War II themed event, Rolling Victory, on Labor Day weekend.
In addition, organizers are once again hosting the Tails and Ales Train, a special train ride that welcomes dogs and their owners and supports local humane shelters.
Group bookings, charters, and private tours are also available, and the fall color Autumn Limited trips on Friday, Oct. 25, have been set aside exclusively for large tour groups and private businesses to reserve tickets.
An Economic Engine For The Region
“The Indiana Rail Experience has proven to be transformational not just for our organization, but for the communities we serve,” stated Kelly Lynch, executive director for the Fort Wayne Railroad. “In 2023, we welcomed over 15,000 passengers who according to the tourism bureau brought an estimated $2.5 million in economic impact on the region. The ability to celebrate our authentic history and have a meaningful impact on Northeast Indiana has long been our goal, and we’re thrilled to grow our third season to include more events, attractions, and opportunities to welcome more people to discover what our state has to offer. None of this would be possible without our donors or volunteers, who all work to make these attractions come to life.”
Investing In A New Attraction
Last year, the Fort Wayne Railroad announced the acquisition of the historic Pleasant Lake railroad depot and has successfully raised over $120,000 to invest in the restoration of the historic structure, and the acquisition of seven historic New York Central railroad passenger cars to double train capacity in the ensuing years.
Thanks to ongoing fundraising and donor support, the station’s restoration and the fleet of cars are presently ongoing. The first phase of depot restoration will occur this summer and the first restored New York Central car is planned to enter service this fall.
In addition, the Fort Wayne Railroad will be adding two newly renovated first-class open-air passenger cars to the fleet. These cars, which were once part of the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus train, will feature both dining car tables and lounge-style seating and open windows for passengers to enjoy the sights and sounds of the passing countryside and increase train capacity by an additional 70 seats.
Earlier this year, the organization was awarded a $250,000 grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation to establish the Pleasant Lake Campus, which is imagined as a hub of amenities and facilities to further support the tourism program. Development of the campus will begin later in 2024.
2024 Public Event Calendar
All trips are roundtrips. Dates, venues, prices and trip details are subject to change.
Friday, May 24; Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May, 26: Ice Cream Trains
Steam-powered train rides departing Angola. Tickets start at $15.
Saturday, May 25: Wine and Whiskey Train
Steam-powered train ride departing Angola for passengers 21 and over. Tickets start at $75.
Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2: Ice Cream Trains
Diesel-powered train rides departing Angola. Tickets start at $15.
Saturday, June 8: Bike Train: History Cycles Back
Diesel-powered train ride from Pleasant Lake to Angola and a bike ride return for a gathering at the historic Pleasant Lake depot. Tickets are $40.
Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16: Tri-State Scenic Excursion
All-day, roundtrip steam excursion between Edon, Ohio and Hillsdale, Mich. on Father’s Day. Tickets start at $99.
Monday, June 17: 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.
Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7: Wine and Chocolate Train
Diesel-powered train departing Angola for passengers 21 and over. Tickets start at $75.
Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14: Ice Cream Trains
Diesel-powered train rides departing Angola. Tickets start at $15.
Thursday, Aug. 1 and Friday, Aug. 2: Indiana Rail Camp
Immersive, two-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.
Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10: Pleasant Lake Days
Static displays and tours of the restoration of the Pleasant Lake depot.
Sunday, Aug. 11: Picnic Train
Diesel-powered train rides during the late morning and early afternoon for families and adults with a meeting with Little River Railroad in Hillsdale, Mich. Tickets start at $9 for coach and first-class tables for $75.
Friday, Aug. 23; Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25: Ashley-Hudson Days
Diesel-powered train rides during the Ashley-Hudson Days festival.
Friday, Aug. 30; Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1: Rolling Victory: WWII Event
A three-day living history even celebrating American military, railroad and home from history featuring vintage train rides, World War II re-enactors, battles, a 1940s dinner and dance, classic automobiles and an immersive and educational experience for all ages in Pleasant Lake.
Monday, Sept. 2: Throttle Time
Step into a 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.
Saturday, Oct. 5: Tails and Ales Train
Climb aboard this pet-friendly train for a Saturday afternoon cruise that will benefit local animal care centers. Registration is $45.
Saturday, Oct. 12: Rocky Patel Cigar Train
Diesel-powered cigar train departing Pleasant Lake for Hillsdale, Mich. Tickets start at $200 and include a variety of amenities and cigars.
Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20: Fall Colors Steam Special
All-day steam-powered gall color excursions in Indiana and Michigan departing Pleasant Lake. Tickets start at $119. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 10.
Friday, Oct. 25; Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27: Autumn Limited
2.5 hour, diesel-powered train rides departing Pleasant Lake for Reading, Mich. Tickets start at $25 and go on sale Wednesday, July 10.
Friday, Nov. 15; Saturday, Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Friday, Nov. 22; Saturday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 24: Christmas Caboose Rides
Traditional, diesel-powered Christmas train rides and group charters aboard Santa’s caboose in New Haven. Tickets start at $9.
Friday, Dec. 6; Saturday, Dec. 7; Sunday, Dec. 8; Friday, Dec. 13; Saturday, Dec. 14; Sunday, Dec. 15; Friday, Dec. 20; Saturday, Dec. 21; Sunday, Dec. 22 and Monday, Dec. 23: Indiana Christmas Train
Diesel-powered holiday excursions and events departing Pleasant Lake. Tickets start at $35.
