- 75 minutes
- All ages
Climb aboard for a magical journey into the wizarding world. Brush up on local wizarding news, learn some new spells and enjoy treats such as a butter beverage! All excursions board at platform 8 ¾ in Noblesville.
Now booking Fall and Holiday Train Rides!
Climb aboard for a magical journey into the wizarding world. Brush up on local wizarding news, learn some new spells and enjoy treats such as a butter beverage! All excursions board at platform 8 ¾ in Noblesville.
Climb aboard for a magical journey into the wizarding world. Brush up on local wizarding news, learn some new spells and enjoy treats such as a butter beverage! All excursions board at platform 8 ¾ in Noblesville.
All aboard for a memorable journey that’s sure to keep you guessing! While riding through Indiana’s scenic countryside, enjoy live music and drinks as you make your way to dinner in Atlanta, Indiana. Keep your eye open for any suspicious characters as you head to dinner.
Join us for a thrilling experience on the Trick or Treat on the Rails train. Embark on a 65-minute journey down the historic Nickel Plate Road, while dressed in your finest Halloween attire.
Spend a fall day in the picturesque small town of Arcadia! Kick back and enjoy a relaxing, historic train ride from Hobbs Station in Noblesville to the Arcadia train depot.
About Experience the nostalgia of the past with a delightful train ride to dinner. Depart from Hobbs Station in Noblesville, IN on the vintage Nickel Plate Express for a charming
Hop on board the Nickel Plate Express and get ready to chugga chugga your way to beer heaven at the Northbrook Brewery! We’re taking you on a scenic 35-minute ride from Hobbs Station in Noblesville to this newly opened gem.
Join our engineer in the cab of the locomotive for a unique and memorable experience witnessing the railroad from the Engineer’s perspective.
All aboard for a relaxing fall family ride down the historic Nickel Plate Road. Passengers will enjoy the scenic countryside of Northern Hamilton County while riding on a 1956 train car.
Ride the rails while dining on a delicious BBQ dinner from Jefferson Street BBQ!
Get in the holiday spirit with a festive train ride! Enjoy a holiday sweet treat and festive music aboard a historic 1956 dining car. Each ticket will include a special holiday cup to take home!
A Cash bar available on board for this holiday adult only experience! Including wine, beer and fun holiday cocktails.
All Aboard for a magical Christmas experience! Take an hour and fifteen-minute ride with Santa himself!
Celebrate the New Year in a unique and enchanting way by joining us for the exclusive New Year’s Eve Masquerade Express. Departing from Hobbs Station in Noblesville, Indiana on
Come share in a little rail adventure as you roll through Hamilton County’s northern countryside to see the trees in bloom while enjoying a snack and a springtime story.
Join us for a 90-minute scenic journey with your choice of wine or whiskey tasting. About All aboard for a romantic train adventure for just the adult crowd!
All aboard for Valentine’s Day 2024! Climb aboard a historic train to experience a unique 90-minute ride through Hamilton County.
Bourbon and chocolate pairing! About All aboard the Nickel Plate Express for a bourbon and chocolate pairing!
Join us on February 24 and 25 for a thrilling ride on the historic train from Hobbs Station to Atlanta, IN. We’re transporting you back to the era of cowboys and outlaws, where danger lurks around every corner.
All aboard the 2023 Reindeer Ride Express. Join Nickel Plate Express for a magical holiday adventure aboard the historic 1950s train. Wear your festive holiday outfits as you board the train to enjoy Northern Hamilton County’s scenic countryside. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, listen to holiday music, and take pictures as the train chugs along its route to a magical holiday experience! Included in each ticket is a festive cookie, a 75-minute train ride, and a chance to write a letter to Santa.
The journey will be even more memorable with a special visit from Santa Claus himself! Enjoy the wonders of the season as you travel through the Hamilton County countryside, and make sure to take plenty of pictures to capture the memories.
Added this year, is the holiday caboose. The historic Monon caboose can be rented out for a private group of up to 25 people. This special car is the perfect way to enjoy the holiday spirit. The caboose is decorated with a festive atmosphere and provides excellent views of the surrounding area. It also includes a special holiday menu and a selection of beverages. All of this creates an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.
Seating has changed this year, so please review the information. Tickets will go on sale July 1st to the public.
Fridays:
November 24 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
December 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays:
November 11, 18 and 25
December 2, 9, 16 and 23
2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day
Sundays:
November 12, 19 and 26
December 3, 10 and 17
2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day
and a special bonus day on Thursday, December 21 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Standard Class Seating– Our reserved coach offers roomy and spacious economical seating. Seats are in groups of two or 4. You must purchase these seats as a group. Seating for the groups of 4 will face each other. This seating is the best option for younger children. Lap children under the age of 2 are welcome in this car. Please reserve a ticket for each lap child.
Diamond Class Seating- Our first-class car! Duke Dining offers social booths that will seat either 4 or 2 passengers per table. This top-of-the-line seating will include priority boarding and hot chocolate served in a souvenir mug for each passenger. These tickets include admission and a table based on the number of seats at the tables. Lap children are not allowed in this car.
Platinum Class Seating- The Reporter Lounge offers social, 4-top table and chair seating. Tables seat a maximum of 4 passengers and are only sold by the table. These tickets include admission and the private table for up to 4 passengers. Lap children are not allowed in this car.
**Private tables in any car cannot be combined with Standard seating options.
Private Holiday Caboose- The historic Monon caboose is available to rent as a private train car.
Up to 20 passengers can ride comfortably in the caboose. It has bench style seating and folding chairs. This car will not have a visit from Santa. This car
includes a hot chocolate bar and holiday sweet treats! This car is heated but does not have access to a bathroom during the ride.
ge
Standard Class- sold in either groups of 2 or 4
$105- includes 2 admission tickets and a holiday cookie for each passenger.
$214- includes 4 admission tickets and a holiday cookie for each passenger.
Diamond Class- sold by the table
$275 for a 4-top table- includes a private 4-top table, priority boarding, holiday treats for each guest including hot chocolate in a holiday souvenir mug and a holiday cookie.
$132 for a 2-top table- includes items above for a group of 2 passengers.
Platinum Class- sold by the table
$225- includes a private 4-top table, admission for up to 4 people and a holiday cookie for each guest.
Private Caboose
$750- includes admission for up to 20 guests, hot chocolate and cookies.
For groups of 20 or more, please contact us for pricing and seating options at [email protected].
What should I wear?
Wear whatever you are comfortable in! We see passengers dressed in their finest holiday attire and others dressed in matching pajamas. Whatever your style is, we recommend good shoes and layers in case of cold weather.
Are there bathrooms on board?
Yes! There are utilitarian style restrooms on board. These small bathrooms are located on the lower level of the Platinum and Standard cars. There is also a restroom located at the depot.
Are your cars handicap accessible?
Unfortunately, currently our cars are not accessible. Passengers are seated upstairs on the train cars and will need to navigate 8 steep steps to get to the seating areas.
Does the train have heat?
The train cars do have heat, but we still recommend bringing layers to keep comfortable. The system is old and on a cold day it is still drafty in the train.
Can I buy alcohol in all train cars?
Yes. We will have a small bar set up in each train car. Car attendants will come to your seats to take your order and deliver drinks. In the Standard seating we offer beer, wine and a holiday cocktail on the menu. In the Diamond and Platinum seating we offer beer, wine, and a variety of cocktails.
Will we sit together?
If your group desires to sit together, you MUST purchase all the tickets in one order. If you need assistance purchasing them, please email us at [email protected].
Is there plenty of parking available?
Yes, there is ample parking inside Forest Park. Please allow plenty of time to park and check in.
Boarding Location
All trains will depart from Hobbs Station at Forest Park Depot in Noblesville, Indiana. The address is 825 Forest Park Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060. The ride will go north to Arcadia and then return south to Hobbs Station. Passengers will remain on the train the entire ride.
The Nickel Plate Express was founded in Hamilton County in 2017 with the goal to preserve the rich railroad history of our surrounding communities through educational and entertaining train rides. The Nickel Plate Express welcomes more than 20,000 passengers each year to Noblesville and Northern Hamilton County. We also manage the 150-year-old depot along the former Nickel Plate Road in Arcadia, IN.
Join us for our themed excursions from February-December aboard historic 1956 Santa Fe El Capitan cars. Excursions include wine, beer and dinner rides as well as family-friendly holiday programs including our reindeer express train rides, bourbon tastings, wizard express and much more.
Make an investment in the future of rail preservation!
Make a tax-deductible donation to keep railroad history alive in Hamilton County.
Click the button below to donate and learn more about how your donation can help here.
Sign up to receive updates on excursions, deals and more!
We respect your privacy.
Had a terrific experience riding the train this summer (2022) with friends. The staff is very kind and knowledgeable. They work hard to ensure that you have an enjoyable time. They serve tasty lemonade and apple hand pie. It is both scenic, relaxing, and a blast from the past. I highly recommend that you make a reservation soon.
– Laurie C. | GoogleWe had a great Caboose Ride, made extra special by Conductor Phil. Our daughter was a bit uncertain about the noises- breaks and horn. He went out of his way to make her comfortable, asking about her toy, inviting her to use the horn, and be the special junior conductor. She went from being nervous to having a blast, talking nonstop about it, and pretending to be a conductor the rest of the day. This was a fantastic family event. Long enough to be worth the price but short enough to keep little ones interested. Plus, we learned interesting details about trains. Would love to check out future events! The whole team from check in to boarding to saying goodbye were friendly and great. BUT- Thanks, Phil- you made the experience fantastic.
– Niki M. | FacebookStaff was excellent and very friendly. Train ride was extremely comfortable and not the “typical” experience we normally have. Will be visiting more often.
– Corey P. | FacebookI had wanted to go on the train for awhile now since both of my grandfathers worked on the railroad. Was not disappointed! Festive atmosphere and very attentive crew. Will plan to ride again.
– Melanie T. | Facebook