We at the Indiana Transportation Museum have sometimes seen these
situations:
- Families visiting the park didn't know we ran trains.
- People show up unaware that many of our trains require reservations.
- The "Nickel Plate Limited" and "The 'A' Train" are
gone longer than the time available to ride.
- Those trains cost a little more than than the money available.
- Just not sure that the kids will sit still very long.
- Visitors seek something different since hundreds of thousands of people
have ridden our passenger coaches.
For all these and more reasons we have made our caboose shuttles a
regular event in Forest Park. On most Sundays we will couple up two or three of our
cabooses and travel between Hobbs Depot (at the Museum in Forest Park) and Bolden's
Cleaners (on the east bank of the White River, half-a-block off the square).
Trains leaving Forest Park will travel directly to Bolden's. When
the trains leave Bolden's they will first travel to 196th Street giving riders a scenic
view of Forest Park and then will return to Hobbs Depot at the Museum.
Normally we will have four round-trips starting at 11:30 AM and
departing every hour. Payment of the fare gives access to the Museum and allows
passengers to ride any and all trips. Park on the square and ride into the park to
visit the Museum, play Tom Thumb Golf or ride the carousel. Ride
from Forest Park down to the square for a stroll, shopping or dining around the
square. When done, whether in the park or on the square, grab the last train back to
your point of origin. If you would like, board the first train, stay on board and
ride every trip.
FESTIVAL CABOOSE RIDES
We will also be offering caboose rides at several festival events!
Arcadia Mayfest - May 15th
Tipton Pork Festival - September 11th
Atlanta New Earth Festival - September 25/26
Father's Day Car Show
On Father's Day Central
Indiana Vintage Vehicles holds their annual Father's Day Car Show in Forest
Park. So many cars are on display that parking becomes a problem. Problem
solved. Park on the square in Noblesville and ride the shuttle up to the park.
(For this day the cabooses may be replaced with a coach or two.) We will begin our
trips shortly after registration for the car show opens at 9AM and will run our last train
after the awards at 3PM.
Street Dance
In late July Downtown
Noblesville holds their annual Street Dance on three sides of the courthouse
square. Our track runs directly to the northwest corner of the square so we take our
cabooses there and offer Street Dance attendees the chance for a ride from the square to
196th Street and back
This train is also available as a charter, especially good for children's birthdays.
Atlanta New Earth Festival
For those living in northern Indiana who just can't get to Noblesville,
you have two days in September when you can drive to northern Hamilton County to ride
cabooses as well as enjoy the festival. See our page on the New Earth Festival. |
