Ride in the Nickel Plate Express locomotive cab with the engineer
1.5 hours
Cab ride, Safety talk, Waiver
Ride in the locomotive cab on a full-length Nickel Plate Express excursion and see the railroad from the engineer’s view. Arrive early for a brief safety talk, waiver signing, and prep before departure.
Must be 14 years old or older, and a waiver must be signed before your experience. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Ages 16–17 must have a paid guardian with them.
No refunds or exchanges. No refunds or new tickets for missed train rides, medical emergencies, and other ticket issues.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for the safety talk, waiver signing, and prep. The train cannot be held, and you will not be rescheduled or refunded if you miss it.
You must be at least 14 years old. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult, and ages 16–17 must have a paid guardian with them.
Wear proper clothing and required personal protective equipment. You must sign a waiver before your experience.
Hobbs Station, 825 Forest Park Drive Noblesville, IN
Staff here consistently go above and beyond, especially when things don't go as planned. Several visitors experienced mechanical issues that cut trips short, but the team's response was impressive – arranging quick refunds, coordinating bus transportation, and even calling an Uber when a guest's oxygen battery became a concern. The crew's kindness shines through across experiences, from helping elderly passengers board early to comping refreshments and staying calm under pressure. The rail bike rides get enthusiastic praise for their scenic routes through Forest Park and the Indiana countryside. Fair warning though: the hard plastic seats need cushioning (bring a pillow!), and you'll share a four-person bike with strangers unless you pay extra for a private cart. This can mean doing most of the pedaling yourself if your riding partners aren't pulling their weight. Despite the seating quirks, most find it a fun, relaxing outdoor activity suitable for families, including toddlers and seniors. The fall foliage rides also earn high marks when everything runs smoothly.
We (68-72 yr olds) did the railcar experience with friends. It was fun easy exercise. Not as scenic as I was hoping for, but it was a nice path of vegetation coverage from the hot sun. The best part of our experience was the staff! Audrey and the other 3 members were so kind and accommodating. They made sure we were comfortable and safely secure. They did a thorough safety instruction and gave some interesting historical facts. One of the gals even gave us a restaurant recommendation when we asked. (Noblesville, El Rodeo)
Lori Weaver
June 29, 2026
We (68-72 yr olds) did the railcar experience with friends. It was fun easy exercise. Not as scenic as I was hoping for, but it was a nice path of vegetation coverage from the hot sun. The best part of our experience was the staff! Audrey and the other 3 members were so kind and accommodating. They made sure we were comfortable and safely secure. They did a thorough safety instruction and gave some interesting historical facts. One of the gals even gave us a restaurant recommendation when we asked. (Noblesville, El Rodeo)
Lori Weaver
June 29, 2026
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