All aboard the little red caboose! Caboose rides are now available Saturdays and Sundays in Forest Park, courtesy of the Nickel Plate Express.
Passengers can climb aboard Nickel Plate Express’ Monon caboose for a 30-minute ride along the former Nickel Plate Road. The caboose, built in 1956, seats 20 passengers comfortably. The caboose offers cupola seating, allowing passengers an elevated bird’s eye view during the ride.
Caboose rides will depart every hour, on the hour, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 11a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets can be purchased online in advance at NickelPlateExpress.com or on-site at Forest Park.
“We’re thrilled to begin offering regular caboose rides in Forest Park,” Nickel Plate Express Director Dagny Zupin said. “Caboose rides are an economical and family-friendly way to introduce a younger generation to the world of train travel. A child’s first caboose ride is often something they remember for years to come. We are sanitizing the caboose between each ride and practicing social distancing during rides. I encourage families to visit us and create memories in Forest Park.”
The caboose rides will use the newly restored Nickel Plate Road locomotive No. 426, a 1953 diesel locomotive. The 426 was recently restored to full service thanks to generous donors and local businesses.
Caboose rides will continue through July and August, with a special ride schedule Saturday, July 25 for the annual Noblesville Main Street Duck Race.