Hesston Steam Museum in La Porte (Hesston), Indiana

Written By Kelsey Cecil

La Porte (Hesston), Indiana · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesRides on summer weekends and special event days; check the calendar

The Hesston Steam Museum is a 155-acre outdoor museum where volunteers of the La Porte County Historical Steam Society fire up narrow gauge locomotives, quarter-scale park trains, a sawmill and threshing engines so visitors can ride, hear and smell the age of steam.

  • First steam reunion held in 1957
  • 155 acres, four track gauges
  • Two and a half mile dual-gauge line
  • 1900 Hill-Curtis steam sawmill
  • Labor Day Steam and Power Show
  • Volunteer-run 501(c)(3)

Hesston Steam Museum at a glance

Hours
Summer weekends and special event days; check hesston.org for the current calendar (Central time)
Admission
Not posted in a current list; check hesston.org before you go
Train rides
Steam train rides on three routes: narrow gauge, 14-inch gauge and 7.5-inch gauge, on operating days
Seasonal events
Labor Day Weekend Steam and Power Show, Fourth of July weekend, Father's Day, Homeschool Day, 7.5-inch railroad open house
Plan for
Half a day
Best for
Families who want to ride several trains, and steam fans
Best ages
Ages 3 and up

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Hesston Steam Museum? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to La Porte (Hesston).

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

From a threshermen's reunion to a steam railroad in the woods

Hesston began with a few local steam buffs who wanted a place to keep steam power working. They bought twenty-two acres, cleared hundreds of thorn apple trees, and dammed Mud Creek to make Duck Lake as a water supply for the engines. As the La Porte County Threshermen, they held their first show and reunion in 1957, with traction engines doing most of the work. A sawmill followed in 1959, an electric plant in 1961 and a Browning crane in 1962.

Railroading arrived in 1964, when Bruce Achor suggested buying a steam locomotive from Elliott Donnelley of Lake Forest, Illinois. Donnelley took an interest in the group and between 1965 and 1968 helped fund the purchase of the rest of the 155-acre site and the building of an unusual three-rail line that carries both 2-foot and 3-foot gauge trains. The La Porte County Historical Steam Society was chartered as a nonprofit in December 1968, and weekend train service began in 1969. After Donnelley died in 1975, his family gave the society the 14-inch gauge railroad from his estate, which members dismantled, moved and rebuilt by 1982.

On May 26, 1985, a fire destroyed most of the large railroad equipment, including nine cars and two locomotives, and badly damaged the Shay and other engines. Members kept trains moving that same season with two gasoline locomotives and a coach bought with a county tourism grant. They dug the India locomotive out of the rubble in March 1986 and had it steaming again in 89 days, then bought four German narrow gauge locomotives in 1987. Restoration has never really stopped since, and in 2022 a half-scale working model of the Tom Thumb, built by Rick Weber, joined the collection.

Three routes to ride and machines that still run

The museum runs four gauges of railroad on three routes. The largest is the three-rail dual-gauge narrow gauge line, about two and a half miles around the property, where 2-foot and 3-foot equipment share the same track. The 14-inch gauge line runs quarter-scale locomotives, steam and gasoline, built mostly for amusement parks between the 1920s and 1950s. The tiny 7.5-inch gauge trains, built by the members who run them, wind about a mile through wooded hills and under a bridge.

Between rides, walk over to the Hesston Saw Mill, built in 1900 by the Hill-Curtis Machinery Company with a 60-inch insert tooth blade driven by a Skinner Uniflow steam engine. The electric power plant uses an Allis-Chalmers engine and was the first plant to power the La Porte County courthouse. Steam traction engines built between 1899 and 1922, a steam crane and a vintage 1930s ice cream soda fountain round out the grounds.

Don’t miss

  1. The dual-gauge narrow gauge railroadA three-rail line that lets 2-foot and 3-foot gauge trains share one two and a half mile loop, a setup few places have.
  2. The Shay locomotiveIts restoration was dedicated in 1975, and it was among the engines badly damaged in the 1985 fire, a survivor with a long story.
  3. The German narrow gauge enginesFour locomotives from the Mecklenburg-Pommersche Schmalspurbahn arrived in 1987; one, never fired before, steamed for the first time at Hesston that August.
  4. The 1900 Hesston Saw MillA working mill of the kind that once dotted the countryside, with a 60-inch blade powered by steam.
  5. The 7.5-inch gauge railroadMember-built miniature steam trains that run a mile through the woods and under a bridge.
  6. The Tom Thumb modelA half-scale working model of America's first working steam locomotive, completed in 2022.

Three trains, a soda fountain and lots of steam

Kids can ride three different kinds of trains in one visit, from the narrow gauge line to the small 14-inch park trains and the miniature 7.5-inch railroad through the woods. The sawmill, steam crane and traction engines are loud and active on show days, and the 1930s soda fountain makes an easy treat stop.

Everything is outdoors on a large wooded site, so dress for the weather and plan on walking between areas. The museum has offered a Homeschool Day with a field trip pass that includes admission and three rides, which shows how it welcomes school groups.

Plan your visit: tips for Hesston Steam Museum

  • Event times at Hesston are listed in Central time.
  • The grounds are outdoors and spread over 155 acres, so wear good walking shoes.
  • Some field trip passes must be bought online ahead of time.
  • Come on Labor Day weekend to see the threshing machine and traction engines working.

The big weekend is the Labor Day Steam and Power Show, when traction engines, the sawmill and the threshing machine all run together and the museum is at its busiest. Holiday weekends such as Father's Day and the Fourth of July have also been special days on the grounds, and Halloween and Christmas operations have appeared on its schedule in some years, so check the calendar for current dates. For more seasonal ideas, see Halloween train rides in Indiana and Christmas train rides in Indiana.

Run by the La Porte County Historical Steam Society

The Hesston Steam Museum is owned and operated by the La Porte County Historical Steam Society, a volunteer-based nonprofit. Its members restore locomotives, build passenger cars, run the shops and even hand-build the miniature trains. Membership brings members-only events such as Night at the Museum, and the society's mailing address is PO Box 831, La Porte, IN 46352 for donations and correspondence.

Pair Hesston with these rail museums

The National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart and the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson are each about 37 miles away. Across the Michigan line, the Wabash Railroad Museum in Decatur is about 44 miles off. For more ideas, browse train museums across Indiana.

Every train museum in Indiana

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

With three different trains to ride at Hesston, I can just imagine a kid packing for the day like it is a real trip. In our book, Rally packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball before he and Mom and Dad head off. A little bag of favorites makes any train day feel bigger. If your kids want to color Rally's suitcase before you go, try our coloring pages.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Hesston Steam Museum?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Hesston Steam Museum: 20 questions before you go

Where is the Hesston Steam Museum?

The Hesston Steam Museum is at 1201 E 1000 N, La Porte, Indiana 46350, in the small community of Hesston in northern La Porte County. The museum spreads across 155 acres of woods and open show grounds. Its event times are listed in Central time, so keep that in mind if you are driving in from an Eastern time area.

What are the Hesston Steam Museum hours?

The museum operates on a seasonal calendar rather than daily hours. Train rides have traditionally run on weekends in summer, from about Memorial Day to Labor Day, plus special event days. Exact dates and times change each year, so check the Plan Your Visit calendar on hesston.org before you go, and remember times are Central.

How much are Hesston Steam Museum tickets?

The museum does not publish a simple price list that is easy to confirm from outside, so check hesston.org for current admission and ride ticket prices. Some special passes, such as the Homeschool Day field trip pass that bundles admission with three rides, must be bought online in advance and are good only for their listed date.

Can you ride a train at the Hesston Steam Museum?

Yes, riding is the main event. Hesston runs trains on three routes: a two and a half mile narrow gauge loop, a 14-inch gauge line with quarter-scale park locomotives, and a 7.5-inch gauge miniature railroad that runs about a mile through wooded hills. Rides operate on scheduled weekend and event days.

What is the Shay at the Hesston Steam Museum?

The Shay is one of the museum's historic geared steam locomotives. Society members completed its restoration and dedicated it on August 30, 1975. It was badly damaged in the 1985 fire that destroyed much of the large railroad equipment. For its current condition and whether it is running, ask the volunteers or check the museum's Facebook page.

What events does the Hesston Steam Museum hold in 2026?

As of October 2026, the museum's calendar has listed a Homeschool Day on Friday, September 4, a members-only Night at the Museum, an open house for the 7.5-inch railroad and a fall event in November. The anchor event every year is the Labor Day Weekend Steam and Power Show. Check hesston.org for upcoming dates.

What is the Hesston Steam and Power Show?

It is the museum's biggest annual event, held over Labor Day weekend. Steam traction engines built between 1899 and 1922 are put to work, the threshing machine processes grain for the fall harvest, and the sawmill and trains run. The show grew out of the first threshermen's reunion in 1957, and in 2022 it marked its 66th year.

Does the Hesston Steam Museum do a Christmas event?

Hesston has run Christmas and Halloween operations in some years, but dates are not fixed. Check the calendar on hesston.org or the museum's Facebook page in the fall to see whether holiday trains are scheduled this season, and when tickets go on sale. Dress warmly, since the grounds are outdoors.

Is the Hesston Steam Museum on Facebook?

Yes. The museum posts on Facebook at facebook.com/big.steam.machines, where it shares event news, operating days and photos of the trains and machinery. It is a good place to check for last minute changes, such as weather cancellations, before you drive out to Hesston, and to send a message with questions.

Where can I see Hesston Steam Museum photos and reviews?

The museum's Facebook page has the most current photos of its locomotives, sawmill and show days. Visitor reviews and photos are also posted on Tripadvisor under the Hesston Steam Museum listing. Families often mention riding more than one train and the sights and sounds of the steam machinery.

What should I know about weather at the Hesston Steam Museum?

Nearly everything at Hesston is outdoors, so weather shapes the day. Bring sun protection on summer weekends, wear shoes you can walk in across grass and gravel, and pack layers for fall events. If storms are in the forecast, check the museum's Facebook page before leaving home for any changes to the operating schedule.

How big is the Hesston Steam Museum?

The museum covers 155 acres. It started with twenty-two acres in the 1950s, which are still the main show grounds, and the rest was bought between 1965 and 1968 with help from Elliott Donnelley. The site holds four railroad gauges on three routes, the sawmill, power plant, steam crane and traction engines.

When was the Hesston Steam Museum founded?

The group behind it held its first show and reunion in 1957 as the La Porte County Threshermen. The La Porte County Historical Steam Society was chartered as a nonprofit on December 16, 1968, absorbing the original club, and weekend train operations began in 1969. Buildings and equipment have been added nearly every year since.

What happened in the 1985 fire at the Hesston Steam Museum?

On May 26, 1985, a fire destroyed most of the museum's large railroad equipment, including nine cars, a Henschel locomotive and a diesel, and badly damaged the Shay, Porter and India locomotives. Damage was estimated at $2.5 million. Members kept trains running that season and had the India steaming again in 1986, just 89 days after salvage began.

Is the Hesston Steam Museum good for toddlers?

Many young children enjoy it, since there are several short train rides and plenty of noisy, moving machines to watch. The site is large and outdoors, so bring a stroller or wagon suited to grass and gravel, plus water and snacks. The soda fountain is a handy break. Smaller kids may want ear protection near the steam engines.

Does the Hesston Steam Museum offer field trips?

Yes. The museum has hosted a Homeschool Day with a field trip pass that covers admission and three rides, sold online only for that date. For school groups, scouts or other group visits on other days, contact the museum through hesston.org or its Facebook page to ask what can be arranged.

Is there food at the Hesston Steam Museum?

Yes. The museum has food and shopping on the grounds, and visitors mention a vintage 1930s ice cream soda fountain. Offerings can vary by day, with more choices on big show weekends. If you are visiting on a quiet weekend with small children, packing a few snacks and drinks is a safe plan.

How can I volunteer at or donate to the Hesston Steam Museum?

The museum is run by volunteers of the La Porte County Historical Steam Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so new help is welcome. Members enjoy events like Night at the Museum. Write to PO Box 831, La Porte, IN 46352, or reach out through hesston.org or Facebook to ask about membership and volunteer roles.

What is the Tom Thumb model at the Hesston Steam Museum?

In 2022 the museum completed a half-scale working model of the Tom Thumb, the first working steam locomotive built in America, designed by Peter Cooper in 1830. Rick Weber built the model, and it was shown at the 66th Steam and Power Show. Ask on your visit whether it is out on display.

What train museums are near the Hesston Steam Museum?

The National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart and the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson are each about 37 miles away. The Wabash Railroad Museum in Decatur, Michigan, is about 44 miles off, and Chicago's Pullman National Historical Park is roughly 48 miles away.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Virginia Railway Express historic collections in Northern Virginia, Virginia
Next

RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California