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Indiana Christmas Train Rides: A Complete Guide

Published: March 10, 2025

By: Adam Burns

As the holiday season approaches, many families seek unique ways to celebrate and make lasting memories. One enchanting option is to embark on a Christmas-themed train ride, where you can experience festive decorations, holiday music, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself.

Indiana, with its blend of charming towns and scenic landscapes, offers several delightful train rides that capture the magic of Christmas. Here’s a guide to some of the best options available throughout the Hoosier State.

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum

If you were a train enthusiast prior to the 1970's, North Judson was a famous junction.  This small town was then served by four major railroads; the Pennsylvania, New York Central, Erie, and Chesapeake & Ohio. 

Three (PRR, Erie, and C&O) were major corridors reaching Chicago; during the mid-20th century one could witness over 125 trains a day pass through the small town and nearly all of the community's residents worked for the railroad.  Alas, as the industry fell on hard times (1970's), each line's use dwindled in importance. 

Eventually, all were abandoned as through routes.  Today, only a portion of the old Chesapeake & Ohio and Erie/Erie Lackawanna remnant still contain rails. 

The museum is housed on a segment of the latter's property (they have also built a replica C&O depot), located to the northeast side of town where a small yard stores their small collection of equipment. 

The remaining trackage also enables the group to host short train rides throughout the year, such as their popular Santa Trains.  These are offered on select dates in December and feature a 45-minute trip where kids get to see Santa and receive a small gift.  These trips usually run four times daily from North Judson at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm (Central Time).  Exact dates will be posted when available.

Nickel Plate Express

The Nickel Plate Express offers a mid-state holiday treat with the Reindeer Ride Express. A perfect mix of adventure and festivity, it offers activities designed to delight both children and adults.

Highlights

Departure Location: Noblesville, Indiana

Experience: Passengers enjoy treats and holiday crafts, and children write letters to Santa. The highlight is a visit from Santa Claus and his elves.

Duration:  Approximately 75 minutes

Overview

The Nickel Plate Express is a heritage railroad experience located in Noblesville, Indiana. It offers a unique journey through Indiana's rich history aboard scenic train excursions along the historic Nickel Plate Road line. Operating on a track first laid in the mid-19th century, this attraction provides a glimpse into the bygone era of rail travel when trains were the primary means of long-distance journeying.

The train itself features vintage railcars that have been meticulously restored to reflect their original condition, allowing passengers to step back in time while enjoying the comforts of modern amenities.

The Nickel Plate Express offers a variety of themed excursions, accommodating diverse interests and occasions. From family-friendly rides and holiday-themed events to adult-only excursions featuring local craft beers or wines, the railroad delivers unique experiences throughout the year.

In addition to regular excursions, the organization hosts special events, including the popular Reindeer Ride Express during the holiday season, capturing the imagination of both young and old with magic and nostalgia.

Overall, the railroad not only offers a delightful journey through picturesque Indiana landscapes but also serves as a mobile exhibit of regional rail history, preserving and sharing the legacy of an essential mode of transportation that helped shape the state's development.

Hesston Steam Museum

The Hesston Steam Museum in La Porte offers a unique train ride known as the Santa's Candy Cane Express where the kids can meet Santa in a restored caboose and enjoy hot cocoa.

Overview

The Hesston Steam Museum, located in Hesston, Indiana, is a fascinating attraction dedicated to the preservation and operation of historic steam-powered machinery. Established in 1957, the museum spans a scenic 155-acre site and offers a unique glimpse into the industrial past through its extensive collection of steam engines, locomotives, and vintage machinery.

Visitors can enjoy rides on three different miniature railroads that traverse the picturesque grounds, providing a hands-on experience of steam-powered transportation. The museum hosts a variety of steam locomotives operating on different gauges, including the quarter-scale and narrow-gauge railways.

Additionally, the museum features a fully operational steam-powered sawmill, providing demonstrations of historical lumber processing techniques, and a 1929 Ranger sawmill powered by a 62-ton steam traction engine.

The Hesston Steam Museum also celebrates various annual events, such as the popular Hesston Ghost Train during Halloween and a special Christmas event which provides train rides with a festive twist.

Dedicated volunteers and steam enthusiasts drive the museum's operations, ensuring that the rich legacy of steam technology is preserved and shared with the broader public. Through educational exhibits and interactive experiences, visitors of all ages gain a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity and importance of steam technology in shaping modern society.

Whether it’s you or your family looking to build your holiday season memories, Indiana's Christmas-themed train rides offer a unique and festive way to celebrate. Always remember to check individual railroad websites or contact them directly for the latest information on schedules, pricing, and COVID-19 precautions. From the imaginative beauty of "The Polar Express" to the nostalgic charm of a historic railway winter excursion, there’s a train ride for everyone to enjoy during the most wonderful time of the year.