Frequently Asked Questions
The train departs from the French Lick Depot located in the heart of French Lick, IN.
8594 West State Road 56, French Lick, IN 47432.
We highly suggest making sure you do not select “shortest route” as many GPS systems will take you on a winding tours of the many back country roads of Orange County.
The depot is open at least one hour prior to departure. The depot will remain open approximately 30 minutes after the last train arrives back to the station. On days when the train is not operating, the depot is open Tuesday’s & Thursday’s from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (EST). These hours may vary during special events.
The best way to purchase tickets is to visit our Schedule Page and select the date and excursion you would like to take. You will be able to purchase online and your tickets will be waiting for you on the day of your ride at Will Call. Convenience fees do apply.
You may also purchase by phone, by calling 1-800-74-TRAIN. This phone line is open seven days a week, though hours vary by the day. This is also the best way to receive more personalized service if you have any questions that are not answered in the FAQs. Convenience fees do apply.
You may also purchase in person at the depot on the day of your desired excursion. While there are no additional fees to purchase in this manner, you do run the risk of the ride being sold out. The depot opens at least one hour prior to departure and in-person ticket purchases may be made at this time.
For special events advanced purchase is strongly recommended. For THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, advance ticket purchase is required.
The French Lick Scenic Railway is located in the EASTERN TIME ZONE. The railroad does observe Daylight Savings Time. If you are traveling from the western part of the state, please ensure that you double check and plan ahead. French Lick is in the EASTERN TIME ZONE.
While this sounds like a silly question, it does come up from time to time. Consistent with most rail travel, trains do operate on a timetable and, the train really does leave at its scheduled departure time.
The train typically begins boarding 15 – 30 minutes prior to departure and tickets are collected onboard the train.
Example: If you have tickets for the 11:00AM (EST) Dinosaur Adventure Train, the train will board at 10:30 AM (EST) and depart at 11:00 AM (EST).
We can not hold the train for late passengers.
The BLUE LOT is our main parking lot. This parking lot is accessed from Monon Street.
The RAILWAY PARKING is best used for those who can not walk far distances. This parking lot is small and fills up VERY fast. It is best suited for compact cars and small SUVs.
The RV LOT is for oversized vehicles such as trailers, campers, and buses.
Parking is free in the BLUE LOT, RV LOT, and RAILWAY LOT.
Tickets purchased in advance either online or by phone are held at Will Call and are available for pickup at the ticket window in the depot on the day of your departure. This is located inside of the limestone depot building. Tickets are never mailed. *The Polar Express™ Train Ride ticket pick up is in the White Booth in the southwest corner of the Blue Lot. For all other events, Will Call is located inside the Train Depot.
You must pick up your physical tickets to board the train. Email confirmations are not acceptable.
Yes. Tickets are required on the train. We will ask for the First and Last Name, and will have you confirm the address on the ticket order.
If you have already purchased tickets and miss your departure, we might be able to transfer your tickets to another train ride during the present calendar year, however this is not guaranteed. Tickets are sold as non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
Tickets for special events are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
If you miss the train while at a layover, you are responsible for obtaining your own transportation back to your point of origin.
With the historic nature of the railcars, some built nearly 100 years ago, wheelchair accessibility is limited and challenging. The good news is, we do have wheelchair availability on car 1710 and 7002.
While there are steps to enter each of the railcars, we do have a lift available. The lift can be used to bring people to car level. Please note that we are only able to accommodate standard wheelchairs when using our lift. Motorized wheelchairs and scooters are not permitted on our lift.
Many of the train cars do have restrooms but some are very small. We highly suggest using the restroom before you board the train at the depot.
Service dogs are always welcome on the train.
Please be aware the train cars can get pretty full. There are also many noises such as train whistles and other loud noises that will sound throughout the train ride.
It is strongly discouraged that you plan on bringing your pet with you on the train. While the train crew does have the discretion to allow a small pet onboard the train, it is not guaranteed and you should have other arrangements in place. Pets, with the exception of qualified service dogs are NOT permitted on any special event train. Do not leave your pet in a parked car.
Please be aware the train cars can get pretty full. There are also many noises such as train whistles and other loud noises that will sound throughout the train ride.
Smoking of any type is prohibited on the train. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, cloves, e-cigarettes, and vaping of any kind. All of the above are prohibited on the whole of the depot property and are permitted only in the designated area at our halfway stop.
While everyone enjoys a good beer, due to state liquor laws, guests may not bring their own alcohol on board the train. Beer, wine, and a few select spirits are available for purchase on most scenic excursions. Alcohol sold on the train must be consumed on board the train. Any guest arriving with alcohol will be asked to dispose of it. The railroad reserves the right to refuse service or boarding to any passenger that we deem inebriated. Guests removed or denied boarding due to being intoxicated will not receive any refund or other compensation.
A snack bar is available on most train rides. A variety of cookies, crackers, candy bars, and suckers are available. Drinks include Coca-Cola products, sweet tea, Powerade, water, beer, wine, and a few select spirits.
Credit cards are accepted on the train. However, processing does require satellite service which can be spotty during the train ride. Cash is the preferred method of payment due to the nature of our train ride route.
The train is a scenic ride through the hills of Southern Indiana and the edges of the Hoosier National Forest. You will travel past limestone and sandstone rock cuts, a lake, and through the second longest railroad tunnel in the state.
As the train ride is in Southern Indiana, and in a forest, you can expect that there will be a number of trees seen on the ride. Sit back, relax, and enjoy experiencing when travel was… when the journey was part of the adventure.
The halfway point is a stop of about 10 minutes. The stop also allows the crew to prepare the train for its movement back to French Lick. The train travels on the same track back to its origin, making the trip in reverse. Please feel free to find a seat on the opposite side of the train and enjoy the ride back to French Lick. This pertains to scenic train rides only as other events have their own time tables.
The simple answer is because there is no loop or any other track back to French Lick. The rail line was built in 1907. It was built as traditional railroads are, with a track that serves traffic running in both directions. There was no need to build different tracks, as it was unnecessary and expensive.
The train averages around 15 miles per hour. This speed is just about right to let you enjoy the scenery that the train is passing by.
A diesel-electric locomotive pulls the train. There are currently no operating steam locomotives at the French Lick Scenic Railway. Meet our locomotive’s click HERE.
Your experience features your party seated at a table with a car attendant for the car. Each guest will receive a take home souvenir (during our scenic rides) and complimentary bottled water. Amenities during special events will vary.
Children UNDER the age of two are free. Children between the ages of 2 – 11 years of age qualify for a children’s ticket. Some special events and classes of service do not have a children’s rate available.
The Indiana Railway Museum operates under the name of the French Lick Scenic Railway. Here you will ride aboard vintage coaches, some of which are nearly 100 years old. You will begin your journey by departing from an historic limestone depot constructed in 1907. While there will be plenty of history around, what you will not find are displays and exhibits indicative of a traditional Museum.
The French Lick West Baden Museum is within a mile of our property and is an excellent place to visit. Make sure to ask for Kenton, he’s our favorite local train historian.
Tickets purchase in advance, either by phone or online are sold as non-exchangable and non-refundable.
French Lick Scenic Railway does not offer the dinner trains. However, the Spirit of Jasper does offer leisurely dinner trains. You can view their full schedule HERE.
While we try to have tickets on sale at least three months in advance of events…We have something BIG coming that has shortened this timeframe.
