Indiana Valentine's Train Rides
Published: January 12, 2026
By: Adam Burns
If you’ve ever wished you could step into a time when passenger trains were a Saturday-night treat and a whistle echoing across farm fields meant “adventure,” the Nickel Plate Express delivers that feeling in a very modern way: a heritage railroad experience built around vintage equipment, small-town depots, and a former mainline route that once belonged to one of America’s most beloved Midwestern carriers—the Nickel Plate Road.
Today’s Nickel Plate Express operates in Hamilton County, Indiana, welcoming riders to Noblesville and northern Hamilton County for scenic excursions and special-event trains. It’s part of the broader work of Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad (NPHRR), a local nonprofit founded in 2017, created to preserve and interpret railroading history in the region while offering immersive experiences—train rides and even railbike adventures—that keep the corridor active and meaningful for new generations.
The Nickel Plate Road
Historically, the “Nickel Plate” nickname refers to the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad—the legendary Nickel Plate Road (NKP)—an 1880s-era system that became a fast, efficient freight carrier across the Midwest and Great Lakes region before being merged into the Norfolk & Western in 1964. In enthusiast circles, “Nickel Plate” still carries a certain romance: high-horsepower locomotives, crisp varnish in earlier decades, and the sense of a railroad that punched above its size with strong operations and a loyal following.
In Hamilton County, the “Nickel Plate” identity is more than a brand—rail lines helped shape local communities, and depots were once the front door to the wider world. That’s the story Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad sets out to tell, not just with exhibits or placards, but by putting you on the rails.
From working railroad corridor to public experience
NPHRR’s mission is rooted in the idea that rail history is best understood when it’s experienced. The organization notes that it welcomes over 25,000 passengers each year through programming tied to the Nickel Plate Express and Nickel Plate Railbikes—a strong sign that this isn’t a “once-a-year” novelty, but an active heritage operation with repeat visitors and seasonal variety.
Equally important is the place-based preservation work. NPHRR manages multiple historic depot sites connected to the former Nickel Plate corridor, including a 150-year-old depot in Arcadia and the historic Hobbs Depot inside Forest Park in Noblesville, reinforcing the sense that the experience starts before you ever step aboard.
While the Nickel Plate Road itself once stretched across multiple states, Nickel Plate Express focuses on what it can interpret best: the local slice of that legacy, presented through a ride that mixes scenery, railroad storytelling, and the tactile joys of classic passenger equipment.
The Ride Today
A lot of tourist railroads lean heavily on open-air cars, short out-and-back trips, or a single signature event. Nickel Plate Express is a bit different—especially because its passenger experience is built around a particularly recognizable set of mid-century cars and a locomotive fleet with real personality.Vintage power: diesels with Nickel Plate character
Nickel Plate Express highlights several pieces of motive power that give the operation its signature look and sound:
- EMD F9 No. 4214 (1956) – The organization’s primary road power is a 1956-built F9 originally built for the Erie Mining Company, now presented in a collaborative Nickel Plate-themed paint scheme.
- Nickel Plate Road GP7 No. 426 (1953) – A fan favorite, the 1953 GP7 is used for certain trains and is noted for wearing its original Nickel Plate Road paint.
- EMD GP9 No. 200 (1954) – A backup/utility locomotive with a past that includes service on Union Pacific and later the Great Smoky Mountains Railway, restored by the organization in 2023.
- A smaller switching locomotive nicknamed the “Critter” (1950s-era), used as needed for excursion and caboose service.
This fleet lets Nickel Plate Express tailor power to the event—whether that’s a family outing, a caboose ride day, or an upscale dining-style experience.
The “Hi-Level” experience: Santa Fe El Capitan-style cars
One of the biggest “wow” factors is the passenger equipment. Nickel Plate Express uses Santa Fe Hi-Level cars—two-story-profile, mid-century passenger cars originally designed to provide a premium ride experience. The railroad explains that these cars were developed in 1956 for the Santa Fe’s El Capitan and are notable for upper-level seating that delivers better views and a quieter ride; Nickel Plate Express hosts excursions using multiple coaches plus a dining car.
For families and first-time riders, it’s a fun surprise: the train feels instantly different from most heritage operations because the cars evoke the streamliner era—big windows, elevated seating, and a “special occasion” vibe even on a simple scenic run.
Seasonal programming: more than just a scenic ride
Nickel Plate Express leans into themed experiences—exact offerings vary year to year, but the organization positions itself as a year-round attraction with special events, local partnerships, and programming that ranges from laid-back rides to more elaborate evenings. Visitors bureaus and local writeups commonly describe Nickel Plate Express as a place where you can choose from multiple themed rides (from family-friendly seasonal trains to adult-oriented experiences).
That variety is a big part of why the operation works for both railfans and non-railfans. The railfan comes for the equipment and the former Nickel Plate corridor; the general visitor comes for a memorable date night, a family tradition, or something different to do near Indianapolis.
Valentine’s Day Express 2026: romance (and vintage rail) on February 14
For 2026, Nickel Plate Express is putting a clear marker on the calendar: Valentine’s Day Express runs on February 14, 2026, featuring a 90-minute ride through Hamilton County.
The railroad frames it as a “historic train” experience with a Valentine’s theme—ideal for couples, friend groups, and even families depending on the seating class you choose. What’s included (and how the experience is structured)
Nickel Plate Express breaks the event into multiple seating tiers, with different inclusions:
- Standard/Coach experience (family-friendly): Families in standard seating receive a special themed treat and drink while enjoying the sights and sounds of the 1950s-era train.
- Platinum & Diamond (adults 21+): These premium classes are designed as an “upscale ride” in the dining/lounge environment, and each adult ticket includes a charcuterie cup and champagne (or sparkling cider).
The premium seating details also clarify the vibe:
- Diamond Seating (Duke Dining Car): social 4-top booth seating, sold as individual tickets as part of a four-top; the railroad notes taller/larger passengers may prefer Platinum for comfort; 21+.
- Platinum Seating (Reporter Lounge): also social 4-top tables, positioned as a better comfort option for taller/larger passengers; 21+.
In other words, Nickel Plate Express is offering two Valentine’s tracks at once: a sweet, themed ride for general audiences, and a more adult “date-night” version with dining-car ambiance and celebratory extras.
Final Thoughts
This excursion succeeds because it plays two roles at once.
On one hand, it’s a living exhibit: a nonprofit heritage railroad founded in 2017, operating excursions and railbike experiences, caring for depots, and keeping the Nickel Plate story visible in communities where the railroad helped shape daily life.
On the other hand, it’s a genuine leisure attraction—one where the equipment isn’t just “old,” it’s cool: an F-unit nose leading the way, classic GP power on select trains, and those standout Santa Fe Hi-Level cars that instantly set the experience apart.
For 2026, the Valentine’s Day Express is a perfect example of that blend—rail history presented in a way that feels festive, comfortable, and easy to turn into a tradition. To learn more about this event please click here to visit their website.
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