Fall color train tours now booking

HILLSDALE — Hillsdale is preparing for two weekends in October full of Fall Color Trains.

The Indiana Northeastern Railroad Co., the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and the Indiana Rail Experience are partnering together with the city of Hillsdale to welcome hundreds of rail passengers and visitors to downtown Hillsdale.

In addition to the in-bound trains, the society also added an additional weekend of excursions departing from Hillsdale.

“We believe this will be the first fall color train to operate in or out of Hillsdale … perhaps ever, and our very first trips to operate out of Hillsdale after a successful season of events and train rides in Indiana,” said Kelly Lynch, the vice president of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.

Up until last year, the society was not able to host historic excursions and programs in places like Michigan, but, thanks to a signed agreement with the Indiana Northeastern Railroad Co., trains are now able to travel to and from Hillsdale.

“With the changing seasons, cooler weather and dramatic sunsets, the railroad really transforms into something scenic and captivating for visitors,” said Andrew Hershman, marketing and sales manager for the Indiana Northeastern. “Our company has spent the last three decades reinvesting in the line and developing industry in the region, and we’re looking forward to welcoming passengers to enjoy it this fall.”

On Oct. 7 and 8, in-bound trains will arrive in downtown Hillsdale for a three-hour layover, traveling from Pleasant Farm, Indiana.

“Over the past two years, the city of Hillsdale has welcomed thousands of visitors to our historic downtown through our partnership with the Indiana Rail Experience,” said Sam Fry, marketing and development coordinator for the city of Hillsdale. “We’re excited to be part of this fast-growing regional tourist attraction and we welcome the positive economic impact it’s having on our city.”

On Oct. 14 and 15, trains will leave Hillsdale on an all-day excursion from Hillsdale through Southeast Michigan and Northeast Indiana, with a three-hour layover in Angola, Indiana.

According to Lynch, over 50% of the tickets are already sold for the outbound Hillsdale trains.

“So far, visitors from nine different states will be traveling to Hillsdale, Michigan, to ride,” said Lynch.

Passengers on the excursions will ride a historic 1940s steam locomotive and will be able to pick from a wide variety of accommodations from vintage passenger cars, a private car or even an open air car.

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Depending on the ticket, accommodations such as onboard entertainment, a photo run-by, and light appetizers and drink service will be available.

Fry said the city was glad about the addition of outbound rides from Hillsdale.

“The response from Hillsdale residents to the inbound trips has been tremendous, and so we’re excited to see the Indiana Rail Experience now adding several excursions departing from Hillsdale so that the folks from our community can experience the excitement of these trips too,” he said.

For tickets or more information, visit www.indianarailexperience.org.

— Elyse Apel is a correspondent for The Hillsdale Daily News. She can be reached by email at ehawkins@hillsdale.edu.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Fall color train tours now booking