Santa Trains will provide Christmas and winter fun on Saturdays in late November and in December at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson. Ride in a vintage commuter coach or former business car through the wintery countryside for approximately five miles from the depot to the small town of English Lake. After crossing the Kankakee River, the train returns to the depot and museum grounds. During the trip, passengers will enjoy visiting Santa, and each child and toddler will receive a gift bag from Santa.
Diesel-powered trains depart on Saturdays, November 30th and December 7th, 14th, and 21st at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM (Central Time). The total length of each excursion is approximately 1 hour. Ticket prices begin at $20.00 and are pro-rated, depending upon age and car options. Passengers can choose between coach or first-class seating options. First-class seating options include the opportunity to book the entire former business car for private groups, suites for up to three people, or general lounge seats. Suites and general lounge seats will be available after November 13th. Enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies before or after your train excursion.
Purchasing tickets online is recommended, as trains have sold out in past years. Seating is restricted to give Santa enough time to visit and take pictures with all the passengers. Purchase tickets at www.hoosiervalley.org.
Before or after the train excursion, visit the museum and grounds, where admission is always free. The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is located at the former crossroads of the Pennsylvania, Chesapeake & Ohio, Erie, and New York Central Railroads. HVRM has one of the largest collections of working railroad signals. Stroll around the grounds to see all types of memorabilia, rolling stock, and engines of a bygone era.
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and education of railroad history. The museum is open on Saturdays, year-round, and some select Sundays. Regular train excursions run from May through September. Special event train excursions are offered before Easter, during October, and before Christmas.
Visit the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum website (www.hoosiervalley.org) for a complete schedule of events, dates, and train departure times. Order tickets online or call the depot (574-896-3950) on Saturdays, 9-3 Central Time.
Gov. Braun announces plan for new, larger campground at McCormick’s Creek State Park
State unemployment rate remains below national average
Indiana weekly gas price update
Riverton Parke looks to continue momentum
Parke County Community Foundation awards funds for Ritz renovations
USDA announces 2026 and 2027 enrollment for key price and revenue safety net programs, first base acre increase in two decades
U.S. Marshals aid local law enforcement to find suspect
Gov. Braun continues to deliver on promise to keep local governments whole during gas tax holiday
Indiana state forests to offer open houses
Benefit ride for Alisha Reynolds on October 24
Former Roachdale Town Marshal sentenced to probation
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance announces 2027 summer internship program
Read your FEMA letter carefully
Road closure to impact U.S. 36 in Parke and Putnam counties
South Vermillion to honor fallen mom all season
BMV branches closed for Labor Day weekend
