North Judson Civil War Reenactment to Coincide with Bicentennial Torch Relay

A Civil War encampment will make an appearance at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum next weekend.

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

Tourism Grant Dollars Earmarked for Rail Line Updates

Hoosier Valley Railroad MuseumThe 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

Easter Train Rides Set for April 4

Easter press release 2015 (1)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.

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Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Contributes Matching Funds for North Judson Railroad Project

North Judson Water TowerThe 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 Mint Festival Train Rides

Hoosier Valley Railroad MuseumThis 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 Easter Trains This Weekend

HVRM Tourist Train
HVRM Tourist Train

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.

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