Tri-State Scenic Steam Excursions: What to Know, Times, Activities & More

This Saturday and Sunday, for the first time in more than 70 years, two steam-powered passenger trains will operate in downtown Hillsdale, bringing with them hundreds of guests and visitors to experience historic downtown Hillsdale.

The Tri-State Scenic Steam Excursion, operated by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society in partnership with Indiana Northeastern Railroad Company, is an all-day roundtrip train ride departing from Edon, Ohio to Southeastern Michigan, with a three-hour layover in Hillsdale.

There will be three trips in 2022: August 27, August 28, and October 1. Tickets for each of the three all-day excursions are sold out. To join the waiting list for future trips, please visit indianarailexperience.org.

To make the experience as enjoyable as possible for arriving passengers and local residents alike, we have put together this page to highlight some important information related to the train excursions.

Street Closures

Please note that in order to facilitate the safe arrival and departures of the passenger trains, Hillsdale Street, between East Carleton Road and Monroe Street, will be closed to traffic from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27 and Aug. 28, 2022.

Hillsdale Train Rides | Little River Railroad | August 27 & 28, 2022

Each afternoon during the layover of the Tri-State Scenic Steam Excursion in August the Little River Railroad will operate 25-minute train rides out of downtown Hillsdale. These roundtrip train rides board at the Hillsdale Street railroad crossing. Tickets are available for members of the general public and passengers of the all-day excursion.

For more information on the Little River Railroad Hillsdale Train Rides, and to buy a ticket, please click here.

Local Businesses and Activities

Upon arrival, passengers can explore historic downtown Hillsdale. The City of Hillsdale’s Economic Development Committee has worked with our local business community to ensure that many of our shops and restaurants will be open and available to serve passengers, residents, and guests. To see the full list of local businesses, restaurants, and food trucks that will be available this weekend, click here.

The Hillsdale County Farmers Market will operate both Saturday and Sunday with special hours for passengers.

- Saturday | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Hillsdale County Courthouse Parking Lot

- Sunday | 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. | In front of Hillsdale Feed Co., located at the corner of Hillsdale Street and East Carleton Road.

Please note: Excursion passengers must return to the train by 2:45 p.m. both days.

Parking

The City of Hillsdale offers free parking in ten lots throughout downtown, as well as designated areas for overnight parking. To view a map of these parking locations, click here.

Event Volunteers

The City of Hillsdale and Hillsdale Rotary will have volunteers present during the event to provide information and help with directions. Volunteers will be wearing a special button to identify themselves, and there will be a table set up by the train depot on Monroe Street.

Thank you to our local businesses for a generous donation to help sponsor the event!