Indiana Railway Museum – French Lick, Indiana
Taking the train ride from the present day into the past is just what the French Lick Scenic Railway offers you. Journey back to the days then the most luxurious way to travel was the railroad. Taking this 1 3/4 hour, 20 mile round trip gives you all the feelings of being a traveler in the days of the past. You will pass through portions of the Hoosier National forest, the 2200 foot Burton Tunnel, and past impressive limestone rock cuts.
The McKnight’s Rangers will engage in a train robbery during your ride on some weekends. If you want to be robbed be sure to check for the dates of the robbers attack when you book your tickets. Certainly a thrill for everyone, how often do you get held up on a train ride??
Trains run at 10am, 1 & 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays between the months of April and October. During November trains run at 1pm only on Saturday and Sunday. Between June and October trains also run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm. The museum does operate trains on Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day at 10am 1 & 4 pm. Check with the station because the train rides can be cancelled, for cause, with out prior notice.
If you are wanting to visit the museum but aren’t sure when it is open know that the museum is open throughout the week from 8am until 4pm Monday through Friday year-round and on weekends April through October from 10am until 6pm. In the month of November the weekend hours are from 11am until 3pm. The Museum Store is also open during these hours.
Halfway through your ride is the community of Cuzco where you can get off the train and use the restroom facilities if you want. There are bathrooms located on the train so you really don’t need to get off, but some want to just stretch their legs. Since the stop is only about 10 minutes there isn’t time to do anything more than stretch your legs or use the restrooms. Then it is off to the return trip to French Lick.
Unlike the days of the train rides of the past there is food and drink available on the train today. Snacks such as popcorn, cookies, candy bars, crackers and etc. are available. When you get done with your ride there are hot dogs, popcorn and drinks available in the Museum Store.
The train has heat during the cooler months but in the summer you will need to rely on the windows being open. There is no air conditioning.
The Museum run trains may have service to Jasper in the future to keep checking with them for this expansion of the route. Currently the train runs just from French Lick to Cuzco.
If you are with an organization who would enjoy the trip you can arrange for a group trip. For a regularly scheduled trip, group discounts of $1.00 per person are given for groups of 15 or more. Reservations may be made by calling the depot at least 3 days in advance of the scheduled trip.
All groups are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes prior (45 minutes for robbery weekends) to ensure that their group will be able to remain seated together.
For groups of 40 or more special charter train can be arranged. These trips can last one or two hours and can be scheduled to work with the group’s itinerary. In addition to the train, catered lunches can be arranged. These trains cannot be scheduled to conflict with a regularly scheduled train.
Want cocktails on your train ride? Cocktail trips can be scheduled as a special trip. They can be as simple as catered hors d’overs or a full meal. Alcohol can be served on this type of train. A variety of caterers are available to choose from. This is the perfect way to spend an evening with fellow employees while staying in the area for a convention, or a great ‘family event’ for a reunion.
If you would rather ride in the Caboose with your group you can have one added to the train. For a group of up to 15 people, a Caboose can be added to any regularly scheduled or charter train. This is perfect setting for a birthday party, small office gathering, or family trip. Passengers may ride in the cupola or look out the bay windows (depending on equipment used).
*Caboose rides are not available on Robbery or Special Event trains.
**The Museum will not guarantee a specific piece of equipment will be used.
*** The caboose is not guaranteed to be the last car on the train.
****Passengers on the train may not be able to hear the narration pointing out details of the trip.
Indiana Railway Museum
1 Monon St.
French Lick, IN 47432
800.748.7246
A variety of discounts are available. These include AAA, Military, senior citizen, French Lick Resort, West Baden Resort, the French Lick Villas, and the Valley of the Springs/Big Splash Adventure. All discounts are $1 off and may not be combined. Discounts may not be available for special events.
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