Linden Depot Museum, Indiana
Depot museumOpen April to October, Friday to Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm
The Linden Depot Museum is a small, all-volunteer railroad museum in the depot where the Nickel Plate Road and the Monon once met, home to a CSX caboose and a volunteer-built replica of an 1837 Norris steam engine named Lafayette.
- Historic Nickel Plate and Monon depot
- Replica 1837 Norris 4-2-0 Lafayette
- CSX caboose on display
- Open Fridays to Sundays, April to October
- All-volunteer nonprofit
Linden Depot Museum at a glance
- Hours
- April to October, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm
- Admission
- Not posted online; donations support the museum
- Plan for
- About an hour
- Best for
- Rail fans and families on a Montgomery County drive
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address520 North Main Street (US Highway 231), Linden, IN 47955(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(765) 427-3630
- Websitelindendepotmuseum.org(opens in a new tab)
Follow Linden Depot Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Linden Depot 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 Linden.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
A small-town depot where two railroads crossed
Linden's depot dates from the early 1900s and served two railroads at once: the Nickel Plate Road and the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railway, better known as the Monon. The museum describes it as the last junction depot in the state of Indiana, a building that has watched many railroads come and go along US Highway 231.
Today the depot is run by the Linden-Madison Township Historical Society as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with an all-volunteer staff. The museum says every dollar donated goes toward acquisitions, upkeep and projects. Its best known project is a full-size replica of an 1837 Norris 4-2-0 steam engine named Lafayette, built by volunteers and now one of the museum's showpieces alongside a CSX caboose.
Inside the depot and out on the tracks
The museum is compact. Inside the depot are railroad artifacts, historic photos and local history exhibits about Linden and Madison Township. Outside, look for the CSX caboose and the replica Lafayette steam engine. The museum does not post a full list of exhibits online, so call 765-427-3630 if you are hoping to see something specific.
Don’t miss
- The Lafayette replicaA full-size, volunteer-built replica of an 1837 Norris 4-2-0 steam engine, a design from the earliest years of American railroading.
- The CSX cabooseThe museum's most visible piece of rolling stock and an easy favorite for kids.
- The junction depot itselfA building shared by the Nickel Plate Road and the Monon, and the reason the museum exists.
A caboose and an old-time engine
Kids who love trains will want to see the two big pieces outside: the caboose and the replica 1837 steam engine, which looks very different from modern locomotives. The museum is small, so it works well for a short stop with younger children. The museum does not list hands-on activities online; ask the volunteers on duty what kids can see up close.
Plan your visit: tips for Linden Depot Museum
- The museum is closed November through March.
- Call 765-427-3630 before a long drive to confirm it is open that day.
- Sign up for the museum's email list on its website to hear about events.
The Linden-Madison Township Historical Society
The Linden-Madison Township Historical Society operates the museum with an all-volunteer staff, and it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so donations may be tax deductible. The museum says all donations go to acquisitions, maintenance and projects such as the Lafayette replica. Ask about volunteering when you visit or call 765-427-3630.
More Indiana rail stops from Linden
The Monon Connection Museum is about 47 miles north and makes a natural pairing for Monon fans. The Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville is about 48 miles away, and the Wabash Valley Railroaders Museum in Terre Haute is about 57 miles southwest. See the full list of Indiana train museums.
- Monon Connection MuseumMonon, IN · about 47 mi
- Indiana Transportation Museumformer Noblesville museum, IN · about 48 mi
- Nickel Plate ExpressNoblesville, IN · about 48 mi
- Terre Haute Children's Museum railway exhibitsTerre Haute, IN · about 57 mi
- Wabash Valley Railroaders MuseumTerre Haute, IN · about 57 mi
- Hoosier Valley Railroad MuseumNorth Judson, IN · about 71 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
A replica engine from 1837 makes me think about how tall those old trains must have felt to little people. In our book, Rally's short corgi legs cannot manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. I picture little ones in Linden needing that same lift to get a good look at the caboose. Our coloring pages have Rally on the stairs if your kids want to color him after the visit.
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
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
- Train museums in Indiana: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Indiana
- Halloween train rides in Indiana
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Linden Depot 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
- Linden Depot Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- Linden Depot Museum on Tripadvisor(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Linden Depot Museum: 20 questions answered
Where is the Linden Depot Museum?
The Linden Depot Museum is at 520 North Main Street, which is US Highway 231, in Linden, Indiana 47955. Linden is a small town in Montgomery County, and the depot sits right on the main road through town. Call 765-427-3630 if you need directions or want to confirm the museum is open before you set out.
What are the Linden Depot Museum hours?
As of October 2026, the museum is open April through October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm. It is closed the rest of the week and during the winter months. Because it is run by volunteers, calling 765-427-3630 before a long drive is a good idea.
How much does the Linden Depot Museum cost?
The museum does not post an admission price online. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run entirely by volunteers, and it says all donations go to acquisitions, maintenance and projects. Plan to leave a donation if you can, and call 765-427-3630 if you want to confirm current policies before visiting.
Where can I see Linden Depot Museum photos?
Visitor photos of the depot, the caboose and the replica Lafayette engine are posted on the Linden Depot Museum listing on Tripadvisor. The museum's website at lindendepotmuseum.org shows the depot as well. For current pictures of events or new projects, ask the volunteers how the museum shares updates.
What is the Lafayette steam engine at the Linden Depot Museum?
Lafayette is a full-size replica of an 1837 Norris 4-2-0 steam locomotive, built by the museum's volunteers. Norris engines of that type date from the early days of American railroading, so the replica shows how small and simple the first locomotives looked compared with later trains. It is one of the museum's main attractions.
Which railroads used the Linden depot?
The depot served two railroads: the Nickel Plate Road and the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railway, better known as the Monon. Because both lines met here, it was a junction depot, and the museum describes it as the last junction depot remaining in Indiana.
When was the Linden depot built?
The depot dates from the early 1900s. Different descriptions give the year as 1906 or 1909, so ask the volunteers for the exact history when you visit. Either way, it served the Nickel Plate and the Monon for decades and has seen many railroads come and go.
Is there a caboose at the Linden Depot Museum?
Yes. A CSX caboose is part of the museum's outdoor display and is one of the most visible pieces of rolling stock on the grounds. The museum does not post online whether visitors can go inside it, so ask the volunteer on duty when you arrive.
Who runs the Linden Depot Museum?
The museum is operated by the Linden-Madison Township Historical Society. It is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with an all-volunteer staff, and the museum says 100 percent of donations support acquisitions, maintenance and projects. Volunteers staff the depot on open days and built the replica Lafayette engine themselves.
Is the Linden Depot Museum good for kids?
It can be a fun short stop for train-loving kids, mainly for the caboose and the replica 1837 steam engine. The museum is small and focused on artifacts, photos and local history, so very young children may be ready to move on after a short visit. Pair it with a park or lunch in town.
How long does a visit to the Linden Depot Museum take?
Most visitors need about an hour to look through the depot, see the caboose and the Lafayette replica, and talk with the volunteers. If you enjoy local history and railroad photos, you may want a little longer, especially if a volunteer has stories to share about the Monon and Nickel Plate.
Can you ride a train at the Linden Depot Museum?
No train rides are listed. The Linden Depot Museum is a static museum focused on its historic depot, artifacts and outdoor equipment. If your kids want to ride, the Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville, about 48 miles away, is a train ride option to look into.
Is the Linden Depot Museum open in winter?
No. The museum's season runs from April through October, and it is closed from November through March. If you are planning an off-season visit for a group or researcher, call 765-427-3630 to ask whether any arrangement is possible.
Does the Linden Depot Museum hold events?
The museum invites visitors to sign up for its email list on lindendepotmuseum.org to hear about events. Event dates are not posted in a calendar online, so the email list or a call to 765-427-3630 is the best way to find out what is coming up this season.
Is the Linden Depot Museum wheelchair accessible?
The museum does not post accessibility details online. It is housed in a historic depot from the early 1900s, so call 765-427-3630 before your visit to ask about entrances, steps and access to the outdoor displays.
Is there parking at the Linden Depot Museum?
The museum does not list parking details online. It sits on North Main Street, which is US Highway 231, in a small town, so finding a spot nearby is usually simple, but call 765-427-3630 if you are bringing a bus or a larger group.
Can groups or schools visit the Linden Depot Museum?
The museum does not advertise a group or field trip program online. Since it is volunteer run with limited hours, call 765-427-3630 well in advance to ask whether volunteers can host your group, especially on a day outside the Friday to Sunday schedule.
How can I volunteer at or donate to the Linden Depot Museum?
The museum relies entirely on volunteers and donations. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it puts all donations toward acquisitions, maintenance and projects. Stop by during open hours or call 765-427-3630 to ask about helping, whether with the depot, the outdoor equipment or future projects.
What is near the Linden Depot Museum for rail fans?
The Monon Connection Museum is about 47 miles north, a good companion stop since the Monon once served Linden. The Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville is about 48 miles away, and the Wabash Valley Railroaders Museum in Terre Haute is roughly 57 miles southwest.
What phone number should I use for the Linden Depot Museum?
The museum's own website lists 765-427-3630 for questions. Some business directories show a different number, so use the one on the museum's site. Volunteers staff the depot during open hours from Friday to Sunday, so that is the most likely time to reach someone.
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