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Step onto a seasonal train ride in La Porte—hot cocoa, open-air coaches, and a toy drive that earns you a free ticket next year. Perfect for families and train fans.
Step onto a seasonal train ride in La Porte—hot cocoa, open-air coaches, and a toy drive that earns you a free ticket next year. Perfect for families and train fans.
Book with LaPorte County Historical Steam Society DBA: Hesston Steam Museum
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
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Operated by LaPorte County Historical Steam Society DBA: Hesston Steam Museum · La Porte, Indiana
On a crisp December afternoon in La Porte, Indiana, Santa’s Candy Cane Express transforms an ordinary depot into a buzzing holiday stage. Located in La Porte in northern Indiana, this seasonal train ride runs frequent departures from noon to 4:00 p.m. Central Time and offers open and enclosed passenger coaches that let families choose a wind-in-your-hair view or a cozy, warmed cabin. Board with a cup of hot cocoa or a scoop of ice cream from Doc’s Soda Fountain, wander the Depot Store and the museum’s gift shop for model trains and stocking stuffers, and bring a new toy (minimum $9) to earn a free ticket for the 2026 season.
The experience is compact and joyful: the rumble of vintage rails underfoot, the sightlines across flat Midwestern fields and stands of hardwoods, and the jingle of holiday music as conductors check tickets. Key features include the open-air coaches for clear sightlines and the enclosed cars for warmth; Doc’s Soda Fountain, a classic counter-service spot; and the Depot Store where local rail artifacts and holiday gifts are on display. The event’s toy drive ties the ride to community giving—hand a new toy to staff and receive a voucher for a future ride—making the outing both festive and philanthropic.
Practical details matter. Trains run at frequent intervals between noon and 4:00 p.m., all times listed in Central Time, so plan an early arrival for parking and seats. The venue is a family-friendly museum setting rather than a wilderness adventure: expect flat, paved paths around the depot with accessible boarding on most cars. Weather can swing quickly in northern Indiana; enclosed coaches are available for colder days, while open cars reward calm, clear afternoons.
Why this matters: Santa’s Candy Cane Express is a rare, small-town rail event that stitches local history, communal generosity, and old-fashioned train travel into a single afternoon. For visitors, it’s a chance to experience holiday railroading without the carnival crowd—shop the Depot Store, sit at Doc’s Soda Fountain, and let kids meet the season in motion. The museum setting also offers quick educational stops for train fans of all ages, connecting the ride to the region’s rail heritage.
Bring a warm jacket, a new toy for the promotion, and a camera for candid family shots. Timing your ride to late afternoon can catch slanting winter light across the flat landscape. Whether you’re a local making it an annual tradition or a traveler seeking a uniquely Midwestern holiday outing, Santa’s Candy Cane Express offers approachable, memorable charm in La Porte, Indiana. Plan for short lines but bring cash or card for the Depot Store; museum volunteers can answer schedule questions and point out historic rolling stock near the platform too.
Trains depart at frequent intervals between noon and 4:00 p.m. All times are Central Time.
Bring a new toy valued at least $9 and you’ll receive a ticket valid for a train ride during the 2026 season.
The depot and many passenger coaches offer accessible boarding and flat paved paths around the site, but contact staff for specific needs.
Yes—Doc’s Soda Fountain serves hot cocoa, ice cream, and counter-service lunch items during operating hours.
Trains run frequently but popular time slots may fill; arriving early or booking (if available) helps guarantee seats.
This is a family-oriented event suitable for all ages; check with staff for any age-specific restrictions.
LaPorte County Historical Steam Society, doing business as Hesston Steam Museum in La Porte, Indiana, preserves and operates historic railroad equipment, model trains, vintage trucks, and antique farm machinery. The museum hosts scheduled train rides and a calendar of themed events that highlight steam-era transportation and early 20th-century rail history. Visitors can board restored steam locomotives and 14" gauge trains for short scenic runs — including a 2-mile steam journey through Glacier Pass and narrow gauge excursions that recreate early rail travel. Regular events listed by the museum include the Hesston Ghost Train, Civil War Train Rides, Santa’s Candy Cane Express, Memorial Day Weekend, Father’s Day Weekend, Independence Celebration, Labor Day Steam & Power Show, Kids Halloween Train, Home School Day, and special ticketed train rides. Volunteers operate and maintain the engines and equipment, offering hands-on demonstrations where guests can see both steam and gasoline-powered machines being fired up and run. The campus features model train displays, vintage trucks, a soda fountain for food and casual dining, and a gift shop during select events. Some days offer free campus access and group discounts for homeschool visits. As a community-based historical society, Hesston Steam Museum focuses on authentic restoration, volunteer stewardship, and public programming to make historic locomotives and machinery accessible to families, educators, and rail enthusiasts. The museum provides memorable, educational experiences that connect visitors with regional transportation history.
Book with LaPorte County Historical Steam Society DBA: Hesston Steam Museum
