All aboard the Ice Cream Trains Labor Day Weekend!

Wind up your summer by going back in time and enjoying an Ice Cream Social with a train ride on Labor Day weekend.  Sallie's Small Batch Ice Creams will be serving up five or more flavors of homemade ice cream before boarding the Hoosier Valley Railroad steam or diesel train.  Then enjoy a leisurely ride through the Indiana countryside in the open-air coach, or first-class lounge seating on Saturday, August 30th, or Sunday, August 31^st.

Visiting the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in historic North Judson takes you back in time by offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of railroading during its heyday.  HVRM, situated at 507 Mulberry Street in North Judson, is near the former junction of the Erie, Pennsylvania, Chesapeake & Ohio, and New York Central Railroads.  Train excursions travel through the rural farm country of northwestern Indiana.  See wildflowers, butterflies, and wildlife while traveling through the remnants of the Grand Kankakee Marsh.

Steam and diesel train excursions are round-trip from the depot and travel about five miles to the Kankakee River at English Lake, before returning to North Judson.  Steam trains will be running on Saturday and diesel trains will be running on both Saturday and Sunday for this “end of summer” event.  The total length of each trip will be approximately 45 minutes.  Ticket prices begin at $14.00, and each ticket price includes two scoops of delicious homemade ice cream.  Infants and toddlers may ride the train for free but must ride on a parent's or guardian's lap. Purchasing tickets at www.hoosiervalley.org is recommended, as seating is limited. 

Be sure to allow time to tour the museum and grounds, where admission is always free.  The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum has one of the largest museum collections of working railroad signals and a restored WWII Pullman Troop Car.  Stroll around the grounds to see all types of rolling stock, engines, and memorabilia of a bygone era.

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s schedule of events each year includes regular Saturday diesel and/or steam train excursions from May through September and on select Sundays.  Ice Cream Trains are scheduled for special weekends.  Easter Trains run on Saturdays before Easter.  Our annual Civilians & Soldiers in History is usually scheduled in July, with numerous displays, reenactors, and special train excursions.  Fall brings Pumpkin and Twilight Trains along with Not-so-Scary, Scary Animal Shows.  Santa Trains run in late November & December.  Times and prices for these special events will vary from regular train excursions.

HVRM is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and education of railroading history.  Special group events (including school groups) can be arranged by contacting the depot.

Visit the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum website (www.hoosiervalley.org) for a complete schedule of events. Order tickets at www.hoosiervalley.org or call the depot (574-896-3950) on Saturdays or days when train excursions are scheduled.