Fall Colors Steam Special — Indiana Rail Experience

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society operates the Indiana Rail Experience, a heritage railroad that the operator describes as linking Indiana, Michigan and Ohio over the Indiana Northeastern Railroad. The Fall Colors Steam Special is its all-day autumn steam excursion, running out of Pleasant Lake, Indiana.

The operator says the train is pulled by the historic Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 765 and offers a full day behind a historic steam engine, with time to explore Hillsdale, Michigan. The train crosses the Indiana and Michigan countryside, stops for a layover of about two and a half hours in Hillsdale, and returns to Pleasant Lake with a planned photo runby near Ray.

Deluxe Coach, Open Window, First Class and private car tickets are sold. The operator presents the excursion as a fundraiser run by the volunteers of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, and says general ticket sales open in the summer, earlier for society members. It also runs a shorter, diesel-powered fall excursion, the Autumn Limited, for guests who prefer a shorter ride.

A full-day ride: boarding begins at 9:00 am and the train leaves Pleasant Lake at 9:30 am. It arrives in Hillsdale in the late morning for a layover of about two and a half hours, with shopping, walking tours and lunch on your own at local restaurants and food trucks, then leaves Hillsdale mid-afternoon. A planned photo runby near Ray lets passengers watch and photograph the train at speed. The operator lists the return to Pleasant Lake in the late afternoon.

Station and ADA parking: 1469 West Main Street, Pleasant Lake, Indiana. General parking: 1525 Main Street, Pleasant Lake, Indiana 46779. Boarding begins at 9:00 am. Passengers may bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks; Select First Class tickets include complimentary coffee and light refreshments, and a cash bar serves guests aged 21 and over. Pets are not permitted; service animals are welcome. Because of the historic equipment, only select cars are ADA accessible; ADA seats are sold in Deluxe Coach only. Children aged three and younger who do not occupy a seat ride free in Deluxe Coach only. Tickets are emailed on purchase. Refunds are available 30 or more days before travel; later cancellations receive a credit. Ticket office: tickets@indianarails.org.