Indiana’s Railroad History

Indiana has a fascinating history with the railroads, with excitement among Hoosiers from the start. Plan a field trip to one or more of these great museums to learn about Indiana’s rich railroad history.

Field Trip Destinations

French Lick Scenic Railway (French Lick, IN)

This destination is not your typical museum. Instead of display cases and exhibits, you have the opportunity to experience history in motion. As you climb aboard the train, you will experience rail travel firsthand. Some of the coaches in operation are close to 100 years old! 

Children’s Museum – All Aboard Exhibit (Indianapolis, IN)

Visit the Reuben Wells Steam Engine, a 35-foot-long Hoosier designed steam engine that conquered the steepest railroad grade in the US. While there, you can also watch miniature trains and crawl through tunnels to see them up close. Don’t forget to stop by the interactive Madison Station to practice Morse code!

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum (North Judson, IN)

At the North Judson Depot, you can purchase tickets for a rail excursion on historic train cars or visit displays of artifacts and photos from the region. As you explore the museum grounds, take note of the operational signals, each with its unique history. 

Linden Depot Museum (Linden, IN) 

The historic train depot has a collection of train artifacts and an impressive model train display. Additionally, children can interact with and climb aboard the historic train cars, including a Norris steam locomotive. 

Madison Passenger Station Museum & Restored Caboose (Madison, IN) 

Learn about the steepest railroad grade in North America and how they got the train up the hill. You can also visit a restored caboose. The museum provides an in-depth exploration of the train station’s history and Indiana’s railroad heritage. 

Monon Connection Train Museum (Monon, IN) 

Explore over 6,000 railroad and period pieces in this museum. Items range from silver, china, lanterns, whistles, uniforms, and speeders (the track inspectors’ cars). You can even check out the railroad cards, cabooses, and cranes on the property. 

National New York Central Railroad (Elkhart, IN)

Learn more about the New York Central Railroad, the nation’s second-largest railroad with 11,000 route miles of track. While there, explore a 1937 streamlined observation car, a 1915 passenger coach, and an EMD E8 diesel locomotive. Several hands-on exhibits allow you to explore activities such as constructing railroad tracks and blowing the whistle as a locomotive engineer. 

The Depot Railroad Museum (Salem, IN)   

This museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Monon Railroad. It features antique furniture from railroad stations, including waiting room benches from the original Salem station. You will also find railroad equipment, tools, signs, advertisements, signals, and lanterns. 

Wabash Valley Railroad Museum (Terre Haute, IN)

This museum features two interlocking towers, two cabooses, a Pullman WWII troop sleeper, GE 45 ton switcher locomotive and a train viewing platform next to the busy CSX main line.

Rail Trails

Indiana has several “Rail Trails” throughout the state. These are old railroad paths that have been converted to walking or mixed-use paths. Take a family walk or bike ride down a trail near you and imagine being a passenger or conductor. What does it look like today versus what it would have looked like in the late 1800s? Inspired? Draw a picture of what it would look like or write a story about someone who would have worked on the train.