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All Aboard the Pork Fest Express!

Rail cart on tracks with four black seats, building in background.

Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad is excited to officially open our brand-new Pork Fest Express Railbikes on September 11th and 12th! This 30-minute roundtrip is the perfect railbike experience for beginners and families to add something new to their time at Tipton’s famous Pork Festival. If you’ve got your tickets and you’re excited to take a trip on the rails, keep reading below for everything you’ll need to know before you go!

Know Before You Go

Check In/Boarding: The Pork Fest Express boards behind The Shack in Tipton (address: 311 East Jefferson Street Tipton, IN US 46072).

Parking: Please park in The Shack’s parking lot or in a Pork Festival parking area nearby. You may also pick up the free Pork Fest Shuttle. It will run from the Tipton County Fairgrounds and drop you off downtown Tipton. You will then walk about 3 blocks east to the Shack.

Arrival Time: Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your Pork Fest Express departs! The departure time is located on your confirmation email.

Bathroom Locations: There are plenty of public restrooms available for the Pork Festival as well as restrooms located inside The Shack. Please use these before your departure time as there is no restroom at the halfway turnaround point.

Can We Book Less Than a Quad Bike: Yes! You can book less than a four-person quad bike. If your group has strong bikers, you will be perfectly fine! If you do purchase less than a quad bike, another rider(s) may join your bike.

What to Bring: We recommend wearing athletic clothing and shoes for your railbike journey as well as checking the weather to make sure you are dressed for the weather as the railbikes operate rain or shine. There are cup holders and a basket that fits a small cooler, should you choose to bring snacks.

About Railbikes

Who Can Ride: Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad’s Pork Fest Express is a 30-minute round trip excursion that is perfect for families and beginners! Here are a few things to note if you are wondering if the railbike experience is right for you:

  • The railbike is operated through pedals, which guests must be able to pedal for the entire duration of the railbike journey. No motor assist is available.
  • Railbikes operate rain or shine.
  • Toddlers and young children will be required to wear a seatbelt for their safety. Children under the age of 2 may ride free if they are strapped to a parent in a passenger provided infant carrier.

We thank you for taking the time to read this blog post and hope that it gets you excited for this all-new attraction! We can’t wait to welcome you to the Pork Fest Express.

Map of Railbike Ride with shuttle routes and directions to park from north and south.

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