Tri-State Scenic Steam Excursion 2023: What To Know, Times, Activities & More

On Father’s Day (Sunday, June 18), Hillsdale will welcome back historic Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 765, the first of several steam-powered passenger trains scheduled to visit our city in 2023, as the Indiana Rail Experience enters its second season of operation.

The Tri-State Scenic Steam Excursion, operated by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society in partnership with the 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.

The train will make its appearance in Hillsdale several more times in 2023:

• Saturday, October 7: Indiana Fall Color Train – All-day steam excursion departing Pleasant Lake, Indiana for Hillsdale
• Sunday, October 8: Indiana Fall Color Train – All-day steam excursion departing Pleasant Lake, Indiana for Hillsdale.
• Saturday, October 14: Michigan Fall Color Train – Steam and diesel excursion departing Hillsdale, Michigan for Angola, Indiana.
• Sunday, October 15: Michigan Fall Color Train – Steam and diesel excursion departing Hillsdale, Michigan for Angola, Indiana.

Please visit www.indianarailexperience.org to learn more and book tickets!

Street Closures

In order to facilitate the safe arrival and departure of the passenger train, Hillsdale Street, between East Carleton Road and Monroe Street, will be closed to all traffic from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 18, 2023.

Dining and Shopping

The Hillsdale County Farmers Market will be open on Sunday, June 18. The Market will be located on Hillsdale Street between East Carleton Road and Monroe Street, near where the train will be parked. Additionally, three food trucks will be present: Zilantros Tacos, Tiki Sam's Pizza, and The Coney Cart. The City has also worked to ensure many downtown restaurants and businesses will be open on Sunday for dining and shopping. Click here to see a map of the local businesses that have confirmed they will be open on Sunday.

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.