The Indiana Rail Experience is debuting its newly redeveloped railroad campus amid its most expansive and diverse season to date.
Fort Wayne Railroad/Indiana Rail Experience news release:
Indiana Rail Experience announces largest season yet for 2026 Redeveloped Station, New Passenger Cars, Expanded Events, and
America 250 Celebrations Headline Upcoming Season
Pleasant Lake, Indiana (June 11, 2026) — The Indiana Rail Experience is debuting its newly redeveloped railroad campus amid its most expansive and diverse season to date, featuring new excursions, new passenger cars, expanded special events, and a full calendar of experiences operating across a 100-mile railroad in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Tickets are on sale now at indianarailexperience.org.
Presented through a partnership between the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad, the Indiana Rail Experience has welcomed more than 70,000 passengers since launching in 2022, generating more than $5 million in economic impact for Northeast Indiana and surrounding communities.
The 2026 season introduces several new attractions while continuing to build upon the organization’s most popular events. Guests will now be able to board many excursions at the historic Pleasant Lake depot, which has been cosmetically restored, and now enjoys a newly constructed platform and ADA ramp.
“Our goal has always been to create experiences that are authentic, educational, memorable, and accessible,” said Kelly Lynch, Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. “Whether guests are stepping aboard for the first time or returning for another season, 2026 offers more opportunities than ever to experience railroading in motion.”
New excursions and returning favorites
The season has begun with the debut of the Hillsdale Traveler, a new regularly scheduled diesel-powered excursion designed as a relaxed and repeatable way to experience the railroad. Operating on multiple dates throughout the summer, the Traveler offers several classes of service and provides a convenient introduction to the Indiana Rail Experience. It’s next departure will be on July 4th, taking guests to downtown Hillsdale, Michigan for an extended layover during the town’s holiday activities.
Family favorites return throughout the season, including the popular Ice Cream Train and Picnic Train. Designed for guests of all ages, the Ice Cream Train pairs a classic railroad journey with treats from Scoops Ice Cream, while the Picnic Train combines casual coach seating and premium accommodations timed to coincide with sunset. Select departures will feature a partnership with Acres Away Winery, offering an enhanced experience for passengers ages 21 and older.
Father’s Day Weekend expands significantly in 2026 with the return of the Tri-State Scenic Steam Excursion between Edon, Ohio, and Hillsdale, Michigan, on June 19 and 20. The weekend continues with the debut of the Fox Lake Limited on June 21, introducing a new steam-powered route between Pleasant Lake, Indiana, and Montgomery, Michigan.
Additional experiences for adult passengers include the return of the Wine & Whiskey Train, the debut of the Ash & Iron Cigar and Bourbon Excursion, and several dedicated cigar train departures throughout the season.
Hands-on Railroad Experiences
For those seeking a more immersive experience, the Indiana Rail Experience will continue to offer Throttle Time, allowing guests ages 18 and older to learn how to operate historic locomotives under the supervision of experienced railroad professionals.
Participants may take the controls of either the famed Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 765 or the organization’s restored Nickel Plate diesel locomotive No. 358.
The organization will also continue its successful Indiana Railroad Camp, a two-day educational program for young adults ages 13–17. Hosted in partnership with Camp Chief Little Turtle, the program introduces participants to railroad operations, safety, engineering, and locomotive technology through hands-on experiences led by industry professionals, including instructors from Amtrak and Norfolk Southern.
America 250 Celebrations
Several events throughout the season will commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.
Highlights include the return of the popular World War II Weekend, a special partnership excursion with the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, and community celebrations throughout Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
The season’s patriotic theme will be reflected across multiple excursions, educational programs, and historical interpretations celebrating transportation’s role in shaping the nation.
New passenger car joins fleet
Joining the Indiana Rail Experience fleet in 2026 is New York Central tavern-lounge observation car No. 48, a streamlined stainless-steel passenger car built in 1949.
Originally assigned to the New York Central Railroad’s famed Pacemaker service between Chicago and New York, the train was marketed as offering “low-cost luxury” to travelers seeking premium accommodations at affordable prices.
Photo courtesy of the Fort Wayne Railroad
Recently restored by Great Scenic Railway Journeys and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, the car features table seating, lounge accommodations, and a stainless-steel kitchen.
Its arrival places passengers aboard a genuine piece of postwar American railroading history operating once again on former New York Central trackage through Northern Indiana.
The addition further expands a fleet that already includes open-window passenger cars, traditional coaches, a 1950s dining car, and a 1920s Pullman sleeper-lounge.
Investments in Pleasant Lake continue
The 2026 season arrives as the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society completes a series of significant improvements to its historic Pleasant Lake campus.
Photo courtesy of the Fort Wayne Railroad
Supported in part through grants from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation, recent work includes cosmetic restoration and foundation repairs to the community’s 143-year-old depot building.
Photo courtesy of the Fort Wayne Railroad
The organization has also completed construction of a new 1,500-foot siding that supports the storage, servicing, and maintenance of the growing passenger fleet.
To date, more than $400,000 has been invested in restoring and developing the Pleasant Lake railroad campus, with additional improvements planned in future years.
Community partnerships
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has also partnered with the Fort Wayne TinCaps to launch the PufferBellies, a new alternate team identity celebrating Northeast Indiana’s railroad heritage.
During select Wednesday home games throughout the 2026 baseball season, players will wear uniforms inspired by Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 765.
Looking ahead
The season concludes with a full slate of autumn excursions, holiday experiences, and winter events. October will feature the popular Fall Colors Steam Special and Autumn Limited, timed to coincide with peak fall foliage throughout Indiana and Michigan.
Photo courtesy of the Fort Wayne Railroad
The holiday season introduces the new Reindeer Run, a reimagining of the Fort Wayne Railroad’s long-running family Christmas train tradition. The shorter holiday excursions will operate in Edon, Ohio, Ashley, Indiana, and South Milford, Indiana.
The larger Indiana Christmas Train will return throughout December, offering a longer holiday journey complete with first-class accommodations, festive entertainment, and visits with Santa Claus.
The season will conclude in February 2027 with the return of the Hot Chocolate Train and Wine & Winter Cozy.
Photo courtesy of the Fort Wayne Railroad
Tickets for many 2026 events will be released throughout the year. Passengers are encouraged to subscribe to the Indiana Rail Experience mailing list for early access and announcements.
About the Indiana Rail Experience
The Indiana Rail Experience is operated through a partnership between the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad. Since 2022, the organization has provided heritage railroad excursions across a 100-mile network in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, welcoming more than 70,000 passengers and generating more than $5 million in regional economic impact. In 2023, the experience was recognized by Visit Indiana as Indiana’s Best New Experience. For more information, visit www.indianarailexperience.org.
About the Fort Wayne Railroad
Founded in 1972, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society preserves, restores, and operates historic railroad equipment, including the world-famous Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 765. Through volunteer-driven preservation, education, and tourism initiatives, the organization brings railroad history to life for hundreds of thousands of people each year.
The Fort Wayne Railroad is supported a broad coalition of public agencies, railroad partners, corporations, foundations, and community organizations. Key supporters and partners include the Norfolk Southern, the Indiana Destination Development Corporation, Barker Welfare Foundation, Morel Family Foundation, Steuben County Tourism Bureau, the Steuben County Community Foundation, The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust, JICI Construction, McRail Insurance, Cameron Health, Cardinal Glass, South Milford Grain, Toro Steel, the David Donoho Fund, Horizon Rail Corporation, M.E. Raker Foundation, the Olive B. Cole Foundation, the Indiana Michigan Power, and hundreds of individual members, donors, volunteers, and sponsors whose support helps preserve, restore, and operate one of the nation’s most active railroad heritage programs. For more information, visit www.fortwaynerailroad.org.
