Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana

Written By Kelsey Cecil

North Judson, Indiana · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesSaturdays from May 9, 2026, 9 am to 3 pm Central; excursions May to September

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum keeps railroading alive in North Judson, a town that once saw as many as 125 trains a day on four railroads, with vintage diesel excursions across the Kankakee River and a collection of more than 50 locomotives and cars.

  • Formed in 1988
  • More than 50 pieces of rolling stock
  • C&O 2-8-4 No. 2789
  • 45-minute diesel excursions
  • Pumpkin Trains and Santa Trains
  • All-volunteer organization

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum at a glance

Hours
Saturdays starting May 9, 2026, 9 am to 3 pm Central time
Admission
Excursions: adults (16+) $14, ages 3 to 15 $10, ages 0 to 2 free on a lap; first class $25 (as of October 2026)
Train rides
45-minute diesel excursions on Saturdays and select Sundays, May through September; Pumpkin Trains in fall and Santa Trains in December
Seasonal events
Pumpkin Trains, Santa Trains
Plan for
About 2 hours
Best for
Families with young kids and fans of Midwest railroads
Best ages
Toddlers to age 12

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Hoosier Valley Railroad 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 North Judson.

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.

Keeping a four-railroad junction town on the rails

North Judson grew up around railroads. The first, the Chicago and Cincinnati, was built between Logansport and Valparaiso from 1858 to 1861 and later became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The Indiana, Illinois and Iowa line, begun in 1881, later became New York Central. The Chicago and Atlantic, built from 1881 to 1883, was absorbed by the Erie, and in 1902 a line that became part of the Chesapeake and Ohio arrived. At its peak the town, once called Brantwood, saw as many as 125 trains a day, and a large share of its workers had railroad jobs.

The museum's own story starts with a steam locomotive. Chesapeake and Ohio 2-8-4 No. 2789, a Kanawha type, was donated by the C&O in 1961 and sat on display in West Side Park in Peru, Indiana, for about two decades. In 1985 a group reorganized to try to restore it, and the organization formed in 1988 as the Miami County Steam Locomotive Association. In 1989 the engine was moved to North Judson. The operating restoration plan was later set aside, and in 1992 the group took its current name.

From a former Erie Railroad facility, the volunteers built a working museum. With a grant from the Lilly Endowment they put up a new depot in 1999, designed after a Chesapeake and Ohio station but sitting on the old Erie main line. Since then members have gathered locomotives, freight and passenger cars, cabooses, wayside signals, historic photos and buildings, and they run regular excursion trains over a historic corridor south toward English Lake.

A depot, a signal garden and a yard full of cars

The North Judson depot is the center of a visit: you buy tickets and board here, and it anchors the museum grounds. Around it, the museum shows railroad signal displays and its rolling stock, which numbers more than 50 pieces including locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, cabooses and maintenance of way equipment. Some pieces belong to the museum, some are leased for the excursion trains, and some are preserved for private owners. C&O No. 2789, the big steam locomotive that started it all, is part of the collection. The museum is also working on the Grasselli Tower, a historic interlocking tower.

The ride is the other half of the day. Diesel excursions last about 45 minutes and travel through the farm country of Starke and southern LaPorte Counties, where riders often see flowers, butterflies, wildlife and Indiana crops along the line. You can choose an open-air sightseeing car or coach seats, or splurge on first class in the N&W 300 business car.

Don’t miss

  1. C&O No. 2789A 2-8-4 Kanawha type steam locomotive, the engine the museum's founders set out to save and the reason the collection exists.
  2. N&W 300 business carThe first class option on excursions, a chance to ride in a private railroad business car.
  3. The North Judson depotBuilt in 1999 with a Lilly Endowment grant, it follows a C&O station design while sitting on the old Erie main line.
  4. Signal displaysWayside signals collected from the railroads that once crossed northwest Indiana, set up for visitors to see.
  5. The Kankakee River crossingPumpkin Trains run to English Lake and cross the Kankakee River before heading back to town.

Open-air cars, pumpkins and Santa

The 45-minute diesel excursion is a good length for young riders, and the open-air sightseeing car lets kids feel the breeze and hear the horn echo over the fields. Children ages 3 to 15 ride for less than adults, and toddlers 2 and under ride free on a grown-up's lap.

Fall brings the Pumpkin Trains, where kids ride to English Lake, cross the Kankakee River and then pick a pumpkin from the museum's patch. In December, Santa Trains return with a decorated train and Santa on board. Note that there are no working restrooms on the train, so plan a stop at the depot first.

Plan your visit: tips for Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum

  • All times are Central (Chicago) time.
  • Arrive at least 30 minutes early; late boarding is not allowed.
  • There are no working restrooms on the train.
  • Trains run rain or shine, and pets, smoking and alcohol are not allowed on board.
  • Sign up for the museum's emails for coupon codes on select rides.

Two seasonal trains are the museum's most popular. The Pumpkin Train is a 45-minute, 10-mile round trip from North Judson to English Lake and back across the Kankakee River, ending at the museum's pumpkin patch where each family can pick one for carving. In December, Santa Trains roll through the countryside with the cars decorated and Santa along for the ride. Both sell out, so buy early, and see our roundups of fall and Halloween train rides in Indiana and Christmas train rides in Indiana.

An all-volunteer crew in North Judson

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is run entirely by volunteers, and it is actively looking for new members to fill roles from train crew to restoration. Families are welcome to join together. You can also help by donating, checking the museum's wish list and special projects such as the Grasselli Tower, or chartering a train for your group.

More rail history in northwest Indiana

The Monon Connection Museum is about 25 miles south, and the Hesston Steam Museum near La Porte is about 37 miles north with steam trains of its own. Across the Illinois line, the Kankakee Railroad Museum is about 57 miles away. See every train museum in Indiana for more.

Every train museum in Indiana

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

I love that Hoosier Valley has open-air cars, because the best part of any train ride is what slides past the window. In our book, Rally presses up to an arched window, spots the ocean and says hello to a white bird. Here it would be butterflies and fields and the Kankakee River instead. My kids are learning to read, and pointing out the window is how they stay excited. Our train books for toddlers list has more for little riders.

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 Hoosier Valley Railroad 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.

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum: 20 questions families ask

Where is the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum?

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is at 507 Mulberry Street in North Judson, Indiana 46366, in Starke County in the northwest part of the state. Trains board at the museum's depot, which sits along the old Erie Railroad main line. The mailing address is P.O. Box 75, North Judson, and the depot phone is 574-896-3950.

What are the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum opens on Saturdays starting May 9, 2026, with standard hours from 9 am to 3 pm. Those are Central (Chicago) times, which matters if you are coming from an Eastern time part of Indiana. Special event trains such as Pumpkin and Santa Trains have their own schedules on the booking calendar.

How much are Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum tickets?

As of October 2026, diesel excursion tickets are $14 for adults 16 and up and $10 for children 3 to 15, in open-air or coach seating. Toddlers 2 and under ride free on a lap, and first class seats in the N&W 300 business car are $25 for all ages. Online orders carry a booking fee, and special events may cost more.

Is there a Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum promo code?

The museum offers coupon codes for select train rides to people on its email list. Signing up is free through the subscribe box on hoosiervalley.org, and subscribers also hear first about special events. Codes are not posted publicly, so joining the list is the way to get them.

How long is the Hoosier Valley train ride?

Regular diesel excursions last about 45 minutes. The train leaves the North Judson depot and runs through the farm country of Starke and southern LaPorte Counties before returning. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, since late boarding is not permitted and train times are approximate.

When does the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum run train rides?

Diesel excursions run on Saturdays and select Sundays from May through September, with exact times on the museum's online booking calendar. Fall Pumpkin Trains and December Santa Trains are scheduled separately. Trains run rain or shine, and the museum may cancel trips or substitute equipment when needed.

What is the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum pumpkin train?

The Pumpkin Train is one of the museum's most popular rides. It is a 45-minute, 10-mile round trip from North Judson to English Lake that crosses the Kankakee River and returns through fall farm country. Afterward, riders are dropped at the museum's pumpkin patch to pick a pumpkin for carving. Tickets sell out, so buy ahead.

Does the Hoosier Valley pumpkin train include a pumpkin patch?

Yes. After the ride to English Lake and back, the train drops passengers at the museum's own pumpkin patch, where each family can choose a pumpkin to take home and carve. It makes the Pumpkin Train a full fall outing rather than just a ride. Check the special events page for this season's dates and fares.

When is the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Santa Train?

Santa Trains run during the Christmas season, with dates posted on the special events calendar at hoosiervalley.org once tickets are available. The train is decorated for the holidays and Santa joins the ride through the northwest Indiana countryside. Many special event trains sell out quickly, so book as soon as dates appear.

What is on the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum equipment roster?

The museum lists more than 50 pieces of rolling stock, including locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, cabooses and maintenance of way equipment. The best known is Chesapeake and Ohio 2-8-4 No. 2789. The N&W 300 business car carries first class riders. The full roster with photos is on the Explore section of the museum's website.

What is C&O 2789 at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum?

No. 2789 is a Chesapeake and Ohio 2-8-4 Kanawha type steam locomotive. The C&O donated it in 1961, and it stood in West Side Park in Peru, Indiana, for about twenty years. The group that became the museum moved it to North Judson in 1989 hoping to restore it; that plan was later dropped, and it remains in the collection.

When was the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum founded?

The museum was formed in 1988 as the Miami County Steam Locomotive Association, an outgrowth of a 1985 effort to restore C&O No. 2789. It moved the engine to North Judson in 1989 and became the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in 1992. Its depot was built in 1999 with a grant from the Lilly Endowment.

Why was North Judson a railroad town?

North Judson was a junction of four major railroads: the Pennsylvania, the New York Central, the Erie and the Chesapeake and Ohio. At its busiest the town saw as many as 125 trains a day, and many residents worked for the railroads. The museum sits on a former Erie Railroad property near that old junction.

Is the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum good for toddlers?

Yes, it is a good fit for little ones. The ride is about 45 minutes, toddlers 2 and under ride free on a parent's lap, and the open-air car gives kids plenty to see. Keep in mind there are no working restrooms on the train, so use the facilities before boarding.

Can I bring my dog on the Hoosier Valley train?

No. The museum does not allow pets on the train. Smoking and alcohol are also not permitted on board. If you are traveling with a dog, plan for someone to stay with it while the rest of the group rides, or leave it at home for the day.

Can you charter a train at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum?

Yes. The museum offers chartered trains for bus tours, business meetings, church groups, reunions, school field trips and other events, and charters can run even when the museum is closed to the public. Call 574-896-3950 or email questions@hoosiervalley.org to ask about dates and pricing.

Where can I find Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum photos and reviews?

The museum's website has photo galleries, including historic railroad photos, and its Facebook, Instagram and X accounts share current pictures of trains and events. Visitor reviews are posted on Tripadvisor under the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum listing, where families often mention the Pumpkin Train and the open-air cars.

What is the Grasselli Tower at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum?

The Grasselli Tower is a historic railroad tower and one of the museum's special projects. The museum features it in the Explore section of its website alongside its signal displays and depot, and it accepts donations toward the work. Ask volunteers at the depot about the project's progress when you visit.

How can I volunteer at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum?

The museum is all volunteer and actively seeks new members, with roles across operations, restoration and events. Whole families are invited to join. Visit the Become a Member and Volunteer Here pages on hoosiervalley.org, or ask at the depot on a Saturday. Donations and wish list items also help.

What train museums are near the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum?

The Monon Connection Museum is about 25 miles south, and the Hesston Steam Museum near La Porte is about 37 miles north. The National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart is roughly 52 miles away, and the Kankakee Railroad Museum in Illinois is about 57 miles off, so a rail-themed weekend is easy to plan.

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Kelsey Cecil
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