Indiana Bourbon Tasting Train Rides
Published: March 28, 2026
By: Adam Burns
The Indiana Railway Museum in French Lick offers a “museum” experience you don’t so much walk through as ride through. Instead of halls filled with glass cases, the centerpiece here is motion: vintage passenger cars, a historic depot, and a living stretch of railroad that puts you right into the landscapes that once funneled travelers toward the region’s famous mineral springs and grand hotels. In other words, this is one of those places where the interpretive exhibit is the view out your window—and the gentle rhythm of jointed rail under your seat.
Today the museum operates under the public-facing name French Lick Scenic Railway, running excursions that mix heritage railroading with themed events throughout the year. And if there’s one trip that captures the museum’s modern vibe—classic rail travel with a distinctly 21st-century twist—it’s the Bourbon Tasting Train: a 21+ evening ride pairing curated bourbons with small dishes in first-class table seating.
A Brief History
The Indiana Railway Museum traces its roots to 1961, when it was founded in Westport, Indiana, with a small collection—one locomotive, three passenger cars—and a volunteer base of about twenty people. Early ridership was modest (estimated around 500 riders in 1962), but the goal was ambitious: preserve railroad history by operating it, not just displaying it.
As with many preservation groups, growth meant moving. The organization left Westport in 1971, relocated to Greensburg, and ultimately landed in French Lick in 1978 after reaching an agreement with Southern Railway. That agreement included a deed to sixteen miles of track stretching from West Baden to the south toward Dubois—giving the museum something priceless: a place to run.
That operating focus still defines the experience now. The museum explicitly notes you “won’t find a Museum in the traditional sense”—meaning fewer static exhibits, more time aboard historic equipment on a real right-of-way.
The Route
A big part of the museum’s appeal is how much “Southern Indiana” you get per mile. Most trips begin at a limestone depot in the heart of French Lick—steps from the resort district—and head out into the surrounding hills and woods. Scenic train rides are typically about 1 hour and 30 minutes, designed to be long enough to feel like a true outing but short enough to fit into a weekend itinerary.
The route is known for wooded scenery and classic railroad geography: cuts through limestone country, stretches that feel pleasantly remote, and a crowd-pleaser feature that always wakes up the camera phones—Burton Tunnel, described as the second-longest railroad tunnel in Indiana at just under a half-mile.
It’s also not a “loop” railroad: the train returns the way it came. The museum’s FAQ explains that the line was built as a traditional single route for bi-directional travel—so the return trip is often made in reverse after a brief stop mid-journey on scenic rides. That little operational detail is part of what makes the experience feel authentic—you’re not on an amusement ride; you’re on a working piece of railroad.
Accommodations
While motive power and consists can vary, the museum emphasizes traditional passenger comfort—especially in premium classes. First Class and Dome/Vista-style seating is built around tables (not just rows of seats), with a car attendant and service that leans into the nostalgia of mid-century travel.
For special events—particularly tastings—the table layout matters. If you’ve ever wanted that “railroad lounge” vibe (conversation across a table, pacing your pours with the scenery drifting by), this is precisely the kind of operation that designs events for it.
The Bourbon Tasting Train
It is presumed this train will run again in 2026 but so far the museum has not updated its schedule for this season. In 2025, it was scheduled as a 1 hour and 30 minute ride with a 5:00 PM (EST) departure.
Ticketing and seating: First Class vs. Vista Dome
For 2025, pricing was listed at:
$70 per seat at a First Class table
$90 per seat at a Vista Dome table
The premium here isn’t just the seat—it’s the experience of being at a dedicated table with service, and (in the dome) enhanced viewing. If your readers are weighing value, the simplest way to frame it is: First Class is the classic “cocktail lounge by rail,” while Dome/Vista is that plus a scenery upgrade.
There’s also a helpful policy note: to ensure exclusive seating for your party, the railway recommends buying an entire table. And if a table has fewer than four people, guests should not expect “extra” alcohol servings—each passenger receives one drink pairing per course only. In other words: this is designed as a structured pairing, not an open-ended bar crawl.
What’s served (2025): cocktails + water (and why that matters)
One detail that’s easy to miss—and worth highlighting in any visitor guide—is the beverage limitation: the site notes that drinks on this trip are alcoholic-based cocktails, with water served, and no other beverage service available.
That’s not a downside, but it is a planning point. If someone expects soft drinks, coffee, or alternative options, they should know upfront. It also subtly signals the kind of event this is: curated and paced, with the focus squarely on the pairing experience.
Pairings menu (2025): small dishes, big flavors
The Bourbon Tasting Train emphasizes that food is tasting-sized, matched to each bourbon—not a full meal. That’s a feature, not a bug: small plates let the bourbon stay central without turning the evening into a dinner service.
For the 2025 offering, the published menu included:
Stuffed dates
Asian-flare BBQ meatballs
Tiramisu
And the bourbon lineup listed:
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond
Hard Truth Sweet Mash Small Batch
Wilderness Trail Straight Wheated Bourbon
Tips for catching it in 2026 (since it’s “presumed to return”)
Because the event remains listed but 2026 dates may not be posted yet, the best advice is tactical:
- Watch the event listing and schedule pages (the Bourbon Train page is already structured for quick date updates).
- Join the mailing list if you want first notice—especially for limited-seating tastings.
- Decide your seating goal early (First Class vs. Dome/Vista), then buy accordingly when dates drop.
- Book as a full table if you want your group seated together without strangers.
To keep up to date on this train for its potential 2026 return please click here to visit the museum's website.
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