The Town of North Judson is calling this year’s Mint Festival a success. This year’s event celebrated the town’s sesquicentennial, the state’s bicentennial, and the 40th year for Mint Festival. Continue reading
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Turns to Public to Cover Legal Fees
As the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum continues its efforts to resume excursions to LaCrosse, it’s asking the public for help covering its legal fees. The museum believes the restriction of its trains is a violation of the terms of an INDOT grant the Town of North Judson received in 2004 to purchase the line. Continue reading
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Announces Mint Festival Events
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is gearing up for the North Judson Mint Festival over Father’s Day Weekend. The museum’s planned some special events for dads and the entire family to enjoy. Continue reading
North Judson Civil War Reenactment to Coincide with Bicentennial Torch Relay
A Civil War reenactment may be coming to North Judson this fall, but instead of recreating famous battles from the American South, organizers plan to focus on local soldiers returning home at the end of the war. The North Judson Town Council Monday approved a request from Andy Martin to stage the reenactment on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8 at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. Continue reading
INDOT Calls for Railroad Museum Excursions to Resume
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s efforts to resume train trips to LaCrosse appear to have gotten a boost from the Indiana Department of Transportation. In a letter dated June 1, attorneys representing INDOT in the matter say there’s plenty of room on the track for all users, including freight customers and museum excursions. Continue reading
North Judson Officials Approve Railroad Lease RFP
The Town of North Judson hopes to have a new lease in place for their short line railroad by the end of September. During a brief special session last night the council approved a request for proposals to lease the line. The RFP will now be sent to the 11 operators who have registered their interest with the town. Continue reading
North Judson Preparing for Railroad Lease
The Town of North Judson is looking to move ahead with efforts to lease its railroad. The town council will meet in special session this evening to decide whether to proceed with publishing a request for proposals. Continue reading
North Judson Extends Agreement with Railroad Operator, Challenges Remain for Museum Trains
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s excursions to LaCrosse will likely remain suspended for at least the next few months. The North Judson Town Council voted Thursday to extend an agreement with the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad, the operator of the line. Continue reading
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Suspends LaCrosse Trips Amid Legal Dispute
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum has canceled all of its excursions to LaCrosse until further notice. The museum blames the cancellations on an ongoing legal dispute over control of the railroad line. It’s owned by the Town of North Judson and operated by the Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad. Continue reading
Celebrate Mother’s Day With a Train Trip
Treat Mom to a unique celebration this Mother’s Day weekend with a train excursion trip at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson. Saturday fares for mothers are half price, and all ladies will get a free carnation. Continue reading
Tourism Grant Dollars Earmarked for Rail Line Updates
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is the beneficiary of an Indiana Office of Tourism Development matching grant. The agency awarded the Town of North Judson a $31,897 Destination Development Grant.
That money will be used to increase awareness of the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum among leisure travelers and enhance marketing efforts of both the attraction and state tourism. Officials say the Destination Development grant program is intended to help local economies grow by promoting the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Continue reading
HVRM Continues Holiday Excursion Tradition
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum plans to continue a December tradition the whole family can enjoy.
Continue reading
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Father’s Day Weekend Special
Easter Train Rides Set for April 4
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is ready to gear up for the spring and summer season by offering Easter trains on April 4.
Passengers who take part in these round-trip excursions to English Lake get to ride in vintage cabooses, a passenger coach, or open-air sightseeing cars. When at English Lake, children will get to go on an Easter egg hunt at a park and meet with the Easter Bunny. Every child will receive a bag of Easter items, toys and candy from the Easter Bunny.
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Contributes Matching Funds for North Judson Railroad Project
The Town of North Judson has more than half of the matching funds needed for an INDOT Transportation Enhancement Project Grant. They’ve applied for $512,066 from the state to replace railroad ties along the town’s rail line. A 20-percent local match of 102,413.20 is required.
During this week’s town council meeting, Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Secretary and Railroad Committee Advisory Member Mark Knebel presented a check to the town from HVRM for $51,015 toward the match and some supplemental work. The town of North Judson has also received $15,000 from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation towards the local match. Continue reading
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Offers Halloween Train
The annual Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Halloween Train leaves the station tomorrow evening. It features a three-hour trip beginning at 4 p.m. CT from North Judson to LaCrosse and includes a “Not-So-Scary Animal Show” presented by Silly Safari Shows. Continue reading
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Offers Mint Festival Train Rides
This weekend during the North Judson Mint Festival, patrons will have the opportunity to ride the rails at the Hoosier Valley Rail Road Museum. Passengers have their choice of riding in a vintage caboose, an open-air car or a vintage commuter coach. The train will leave the depot for the 10-mile round-trip excursions to English Lake/Kankakee River at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The longer, 20-mile round-trip excursion to LaCrosse, lasts approximately two hours and leaves the depot at 2 p.m. Continue reading
Starke County Community Foundation Gives Generously to Local Organizations
A number of charitable organizations are on the receiving end of more than $40,000 in grants from the Starke County Community Foundation. The gifts are made possible through the foundation’s endowment fund, which is supported by gifts to the SCCF. The money is invested. Each year some of the interest goes back into the fund to help it grow, while some is given locally in the form of scholarships and grants. Continue reading
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Offers Mother’s Day Weekend Specials
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Offers Easter Trains This Weekend
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson will be giving Easter Train Rides beginning on April 19th.
The excursion is a round-trip from the depot and crosses the Kankakee River and English Lake in a trip that goes over five miles. The trip also travels to a park along the tracks where passengers disembark to take part in an Easter Egg Hunt.