Indiana offers many historical train yards and museums catering to family adventures. Enjoy a family outing, or plan your child's birthday party, with a unique experience that will please all guests. Several of the train rides Indiana offers take you through the countryside of Indiana -- through farmlands and national forests. On these rides, you will be taken back in time and relive the history of the Midwest.
Take a trip on the historic trains at the Carthage Railroad. As of winter of 2011, train rides are available from May through October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The trains depart from Knightstown, Indiana. Reservations are recommended. Take your child on a train ride to a pumpkin patch in October or live through a reenactment of a wild west train robbery on the train robbery ride. Children under 3 ride free. Group rates are available for groups of 20 or more.
Whitewater Valley Railroad offers daily historic train rides. As of February 2011, many trips area available such as the wild west train, an Easter bunny train ride, the Day out with Thomas the Tank Engine ride, and the Santa Claus ride. Rent the caboose for your child's birthday party. The caboose is available for groups of 20 or more and has limited availability; reserve early. The train is also available to charter for special occasions. Group rates for the standard train schedules are available for groups of 30 or more.
The Indiana Transportation Museum is open year round, as of 2011, with train rides available from May through October and special event rides in December. The museum is a non-profit organization and memberships are available. From short trips to festivals, the train rides will please children of all ages. The museum features train engines that span decades; it entertains all with a historical look at the history of trains in America. School programs are also available for field trips or outings.
The French Lick Scenic Railway rides takes just under two hours and travels 20 miles, round trip. The train ride offers views of Hoosier National Forest, the 2,200-foot Burton Tunnel and limestone rockcuts. As of 2011, the trains run from March through December. Special rides are available and include Easter bunny rides, train robberies, a dessert train and the Polar Express trip. You can upgrade to lounge seating with first-class tickets. It is recommended that groups purchase tickets together as seats are assigned. Children under 2 ride free.
