This surprising 19-mile line travels from Connersville to Metamora with much of the trip near the Whitewater Canal. The scenic route features excellent views of area forests and farms.
Choices
The railroad offers standard, open-window coaches as well as caboose rides on its 32-mile, 5-hour round trip. A 2-hour layover gives you a chance to tour Metamora, a restored canal town.
When to go
Regular excursion trains operate on Saturdays and Sundays from May through October. During the year, watch for special event trains, such as the Metamora Canal Days Limited, the Wild West Train, a dinner train, and fall foliage trains. Other events are themed around holidays and children’s activities.
Good to know
Look for New York Central transfer caboose No. 18278 and try to ride aboard this unique railcar.
Worth doing
Metamora is a popular getaway spot with plenty of art galleries, shops, and restaurants. Take time to explore the city’s historic buildings. You can also watch its water-powered grist mill in action and take a boat ride along the canal. Enjoy Canal Days in early October with a train ride, shopping, food, and arts and crafts.
Don’t miss
Inspect the operating diesel built by the Lima-Hamilton Locomotive Works. Believed to be the last of its kind in operation today, locomotive No. 25 was one of only 174 diesels built by this company. The museum also owns three others from this builder, making this the largest collection of Lima-built diesel locomotives in existence.
Getting there
Connersville is about 65 miles southeast of Indianapolis and is accessible from all directions. If coming from the north, take Highway 1 off I-70 into Connersville. The depot is on your left between Fourth and Fifth Streets.
Location: 455 Market Street, Connersville, IN
Phone: 765-825-2054
Website: whitewatervalleyrr.org
E-mail: info@whitewatervalleyrr.org
