Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville, Indiana

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Noblesville, Indiana · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesThemed train rides on scheduled dates through the year

Nickel Plate Express is the excursion train of the nonprofit Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad, carrying families out of Forest Park in Noblesville over 12 miles of the former Nickel Plate Road in two-story Santa Fe El Capitan coaches built in 1956.

  • Founded in 2017
  • Excursions since fall 2018
  • 12 miles of Nickel Plate Road
  • 1956 Santa Fe Hi-Level coaches
  • Original Nickel Plate GP7 No. 426
  • Boards in Forest Park

Nickel Plate Express at a glance

Hours
Rides run on scheduled dates; see the online calendar
Admission
Varies by ride, from about $20 (Fall Foliage Express) to $95 (Reindeer Express) as of October 2026
Train rides
Themed train rides most of the year, plus Nickel Plate Railbikes; caboose rides for field trips ($15 per person)
Seasonal events
Fall Foliage Express, Trick or Treat on the Rails, Reindeer Express, Bourbon n' Blues, Terror in Transylvania, Holiday Cheers, Ho Ho Homicide Express
Plan for
About 65 to 75 minutes for family rides
Best for
Families with young kids and anyone who wants a real ride
Best ages
All ages; field trips aimed at kindergarten to grade 4

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Nickel Plate Express? 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 Noblesville.

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.

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

Bringing passengers back to the Nickel Plate Road in Hamilton County

The Nickel Plate Road once tied the small towns of northern Hamilton County to the wider railroad world. The Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad was founded in 2017 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the rail history of Hamilton County and beyond. Its excursion train, the Nickel Plate Express, carried its first passengers in the fall of 2018.

Growth came quickly. Between the train and the Nickel Plate Railbikes, the railroad now welcomes tens of thousands of riders a year (its website gives figures of more than 25,000 and more than 35,000 in different places), and Visit Hamilton County lists it as a regional draw. The railroad sees itself as a community asset as much as an attraction, bringing visitors to Noblesville and the towns up the line.

Preservation goes beyond the trains. The organization looks after the historic Hobbs Depot inside Forest Park, where most rides board, and the restored Arcadia Depot, a station about 150 years old on the former Nickel Plate Road that now hosts community events and tours. In 2023 its crew restored GP9 No. 200, a former Union Pacific diesel, and brought it into service as the backup engine.

The mission is simple to say and hard work to carry out: use hands-on experiences to celebrate railroad history and spark curiosity about the past, present and future of trains. Donations keep the old Nickel Plate track maintained and the 1950s equipment running.

Upstairs in a Santa Fe Hi-Level, behind a 1950s diesel

Rides begin at Hobbs Station in Forest Park, about five minutes from downtown Noblesville, and head out over the former Nickel Plate Road into the countryside of northern Hamilton County before returning. Passengers ride in three Santa Fe El Capitan Hi-Level coaches, built by the Budd Company in 1956 for the Chicago to Los Angeles El Capitan. These cars are two stories tall, with seats on the upper level for wider views and a quieter ride, plus a dining car.

Up front, the usual power is No. 4214, a 1956 F9 built for the Erie Mining Company and now painted in a silver, black and yellow Nickel Plate scheme. On weekend caboose and passenger trains you may see No. 426, a 1953 Nickel Plate Road GP7 in its original paint, crossing the White River or Morse Reservoir. The little 50-ton switcher called the Critter and GP9 No. 200 stand by as backups.

Don’t miss

  1. Santa Fe El Capitan Hi-Level coachesBuilt in 1956 by Budd for the Chicago to Los Angeles El Capitan, these two-story cars were among the tallest and heaviest passenger cars of their time.
  2. Nickel Plate Road GP7 No. 426Built in La Grange, Illinois in 1953, it spent most of its working life in freight service out of Frankfort and still wears its original Nickel Plate paint.
  3. F9 No. 4214This 1956 diesel, first built for the Erie Mining Company, pulls nearly every excursion.
  4. The CritterA 1950s 50-ton switcher of unknown origin that the crew is especially fond of; it powers caboose trains and backs up the road engines.
  5. The red Nickel Plate cabooseField trip groups ride it on 30-minute trips where kids can hear and feel a real caboose at work.
  6. Arcadia DepotA roughly 150-year-old station on the former Nickel Plate Road, restored and run by the railroad as a community hub.

Pumpkin rides, Santa, cabooses and engineers who answer questions

Most family rides last about an hour, which suits younger kids well. The Fall Foliage Express is an all-ages 65-minute ride through farm country, and on October 31 Trick or Treat on the Rails invites everyone to ride in costume. At Christmas the Reindeer Express adds holiday music, treats and a visit with Santa. Riders have mentioned lemonade and apple hand pie on summer trips, and a s'mores and cider stop by a fire on evening runs.

School groups get even more. Caboose field trips take up to 20 students and two adults on a 30-minute ride in the red caboose, and STEM trips put kids in a 45-minute question session with the railroad's engineers, learning hand and flag signals, radio etiquette and rail safety. Train ride field trips are aimed at kindergarten through fourth grade.

Plan your visit: tips for Nickel Plate Express

  • Book online ahead of time; popular rides like the Reindeer Express sell well.
  • Board at Hobbs Station inside Forest Park, 825 Forest Park Drive.
  • Several evening rides (Bourbon n' Blues, Terror in Transylvania, Holiday Cheers, Ho Ho Homicide) are 21 and over.
  • The onboard bar on Holiday Cheers takes credit cards only.
  • For the quickest answer, message the railroad on Facebook.

The busiest stretch runs from fall into the holidays. The Fall Foliage Express shows off northern Hamilton County's colors, kids ride in costume on Trick or Treat on the Rails each October 31, and the Reindeer Express brings Santa, music and treats aboard in December. Adults have their own nights with Bourbon n' Blues, the Terror in Transylvania murder mystery and Holiday Cheers. For more ideas, see our guides to Christmas train rides in Indiana and Halloween train rides in Indiana.

A Hamilton County nonprofit on the rails

Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so donations are tax deductible and go toward maintaining the old Nickel Plate track, restoring equipment and running education programs. Local businesses can sponsor school field trips and receive a thank-you on the railroad's Facebook page or website. Gift cards are sold too, and the railroad's site lists ways to apply to join the crew.

Other rail history around central Indiana

The story of the Indiana Transportation Museum, which was based in Forest Park, is about a mile away. The Linden Depot Museum is about 48 miles west, and the Monon Connection Museum about 73 miles northwest. Browse all of Indiana's train museums to plan a longer trip.

Every train museum in Indiana

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The coaches at Nickel Plate Express are two stories tall, with the seats upstairs. I laughed when I read that, because in our book Rally cannot manage even the regular train steps on his short corgi legs, and Dad has to give him a boost. A Santa Fe Hi-Level would take a whole team. Little kids with little legs know that feeling, and our train books for toddlers list has more stories for them.

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 Nickel Plate Express?

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.

Nickel Plate Express: 20 questions families ask

Where is the Nickel Plate Express?

The Nickel Plate Express boards at Hobbs Station inside Forest Park, 825 Forest Park Drive, Noblesville, Indiana 46060, about five minutes from downtown Noblesville. Field trips can sometimes be arranged to leave from Cicero, Arcadia or Atlanta instead, but public rides start in Forest Park. Call (317) 674-3840 if you need directions.

How much are Nickel Plate Express tickets?

Prices depend on the ride. As of October 2026, the Fall Foliage Express starts at $20, Trick or Treat on the Rails at $25, Holiday Cheers at $55, Bourbon n' Blues at $76, Ho Ho Homicide Express at $85, Terror in Transylvania at $92 and the Reindeer Express at $95. Check nickelplateexpress.com for current fares before booking.

How do I buy Nickel Plate Express tickets?

Tickets are booked online at nickelplateexpress.com, where each ride has its own Book Now page with dates and seat options. Gift cards are sold there too. If you have a question before you buy, call (317) 674-3840 or message the railroad's Facebook page, which it says is the fastest way to get an answer.

Does the Nickel Plate Express have promo codes or discounts?

The railroad does not post a standing promo code or discount program on its website. Special offers, when they happen, are most likely to show up on its Facebook page, which has tens of thousands of followers. Schools can also look for a local business to sponsor a field trip, which the railroad will thank publicly.

What are the Nickel Plate Express hours?

There are no daily walk-up hours. The Nickel Plate Express runs scheduled rides on set dates, and each ride lists its departure times on the online booking calendar. Field trips can be scheduled any weekday from March to December. For questions about a specific date, call (317) 674-3840.

What is the Nickel Plate Express Christmas train?

The Christmas ride is the Reindeer Express, a 75-minute family trip with holiday music, festive treats and a visit with Santa, starting from $95 as of October 2026. Adults can book Holiday Cheers on December 2, 3, 9 and 10 or the Ho Ho Homicide Express mystery on December 16 and 17, both for ages 21 and up.

What upcoming events does the Nickel Plate Express have?

As of October 2026, the fall lineup includes the Fall Foliage Express, Bourbon n' Blues on October 24, Trick or Treat on the Rails on October 31 and the Terror in Transylvania murder mystery. Holiday rides follow with the Reindeer Express, Holiday Cheers and Ho Ho Homicide Express. The calendar on nickelplateexpress.com has every date.

Does the Nickel Plate Express have a Halloween train?

Yes. Trick or Treat on the Rails runs on October 31 only, a 65-minute ride for all ages where passengers come dressed in Halloween costumes, starting from $25 as of October 2026. Adults 21 and up can instead book Terror in Transylvania, a three-hour murder mystery set at Dracula's birthday party.

What are the Nickel Plate Railbikes?

Nickel Plate Railbikes is the railroad's other attraction: pedal-powered railbikes that let riders travel along historic Nickel Plate track in Hamilton County. They are run by the same nonprofit, Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad, and booked through nickelplateexpress.com. Check the Railbike Rides page for routes, dates and prices.

What do reviews say about the Nickel Plate Express?

Riders quoted on the railroad's site praise the kind, knowledgeable staff and the scenic countryside, and some mention lemonade and apple hand pie on board. Evening riders remember a stop for s'mores and apple cider by a fire. One rider came because both grandfathers worked on the railroad. You can read more on Google and Facebook.

Is there a Nickel Plate Express community day?

The railroad does not post details of a community day on the website pages available as of October 2026. It does manage the Arcadia Depot, which hosts community events, and it shares event news on its Facebook page. Check the online calendar or message the railroad on Facebook to ask about open house dates.

Is the Nickel Plate Express hiring?

The railroad's website has an Apply page under its Who We Are menu, which is the place to look for open crew and staff positions. Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad is a nonprofit that relies on staff and volunteers to run trains and railbikes. You can also call (317) 674-3840 to ask about current openings.

What train cars does the Nickel Plate Express use?

Passengers ride in three Santa Fe El Capitan Hi-Level coaches and a dining car. Budd built the Hi-Levels in 1956 for the Chicago to Los Angeles El Capitan, and they are two stories tall with seating on the upper level for better views and a quieter ride. They were among the tallest, heaviest passenger cars of their day.

What locomotives pull the Nickel Plate Express?

The main engine is No. 4214, a 1956 F9 first built for the Erie Mining Company. No. 426, a 1953 Nickel Plate Road GP7 in original paint, pulls weekend caboose and passenger trains. A 1950s 50-ton switcher nicknamed the Critter and GP9 No. 200, a 1954 ex-Union Pacific engine restored in 2023, serve as backups.

What is the Nickel Plate Road?

The Nickel Plate Road is the railroad whose former line the Nickel Plate Express rides today, running through Noblesville and northern Hamilton County. Excursions use about 12 miles of that track, and the railroad also manages the roughly 150-year-old Arcadia Depot along the old line. Locomotive No. 426 spent its working life on the Nickel Plate in freight service.

How long is a Nickel Plate Express train ride?

Most family rides are about an hour. The Fall Foliage Express and Trick or Treat on the Rails each last 65 minutes, and the Reindeer Express runs 75 minutes. Adult evening rides are longer: Bourbon n' Blues is two hours and the murder mystery trains run about three hours. The round trip covers about 12 miles of track.

Is the Nickel Plate Express good for toddlers?

Yes, most of its family rides are listed for all ages and last about an hour, a good length for little ones. The Reindeer Express with Santa and the costume ride on Halloween are especially popular with young kids. Some evening trains are 21 and over, so check each ride's age listing before you book.

Does the Nickel Plate Express offer field trips?

Yes. Field trips run weekdays from March to December and can include a train ride, a 30-minute caboose ride for up to 20 students and two adults at $15 per person, or a 45-minute STEM session with the engineers. Fall and Reindeer Ride field trips are offered too. Renting the full 250-seat train costs $2,500.

Can you rent the Nickel Plate Express for a private event?

Yes. The railroad lists private events on its website, and its field trip page gives $2,500 as the cost to rent out the full train, which holds about 250 passengers. For birthdays, company outings or other private trips, call (317) 674-3840 or email info@nickelplateexpress.net to ask about dates and options.

What train museums are near the Nickel Plate Express?

The history of the Indiana Transportation Museum, once based in Forest Park, is about a mile away. The Linden Depot Museum is about 48 miles away, the Whitewater Valley Railroad in Connersville about 54 miles, and the Monon Connection Museum about 73 miles. The Wabash Valley Railroaders Museum in Terre Haute is about 85 miles southwest.

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