Fall Colors, Local Agriculture on Display During Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Fall Excursions

Posted on September 1, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI 

Summer may be coming to an end, but train riding season continues at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum.

The museum’s Fall Harvest Train returns on October 1. HVRM Marketing Director Loretta Kosloske says it provides an opportunity to see the fall foliage, as well as get a glimpse of farmers working on this year’s harvest.

After that comes the Pumpkin Train on October 8, 15, and 22. Kosloske says the 75-minute excursion features a round trip to the Kankakee River at English Lake, before heading to the pumpkin patch south of State Road 10.

The annual Pumpkin Train typically attracts a mix of visitors and local residents, with many coming back year after year, according to Kosloske. She adds the Pumpkin Train is a big draw for the museum, making up a major potion of its income each year. The trains often sell out in advance.

In addition to the fall colors, the excursions also give visitors a chance to experience some vintage railroad equipment. Kosloske says visitors have the option to ride in one of several cabooses, a vintage commuter coach, or an open-air car. Those are flat cars with flooring, benches, railings, and a roof added to protect visitors from inclement weather. Trains are hauled by diesel locomotives.

Hoosier Valley’s train excursions wrap up the last Saturday of October with the Halloween Train, including a “Not-So-Scary, Scary Animal Show.”

Complete schedule and ticket information may be found at HoosierValley.org.

Looking For Weekend Activities in October?

Looking for something to do with the kids on the weekends?  Obviously you should bring them to the READ Jr. Story Hour at 11 a.m. on the first and third Saturday of each month.  Anubis would be upset with me if I didn't mention this first.

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum has several train events scheduled through October:  Fall Harvest trains on 9/29 & 10/13; Pumpkin trains on 10/6 & 10/20; and their Halloween train on 10/27.  For more information and ticket prices visit their website at Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum..

October 5, 2012 - Just found a new listing of great things to do with the kids on the weekends.  Visit this site to see a listing of October activities in Winamac at the Tippecanoe River State Park

We'll try to keep you up to date with upcoming holiday type activities as we learn about them.