WVRR Events
Listed below you will find special events like the Easter Bunny Express, THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, Ghost Train and more. Excursions to Metamora and themed trips can be found on the WVRR Excursion Page. For information about Charters, Group Rates and Caboose Rentals please check out the WVRR Charter Page.
The Polar Express
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride returns this holiday season with service to the North Pole. This is the only officially licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride event in the greater Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Dayton areas.
Tickets will sell out quickly! Don't miss the chance to share this holiday favorite with your family.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is a magical re-creation of Chris Van Allsburg's classic picture book. Passengers are served hot chocolate and a chocolate chip cookie by dancing chefs, enjoy a reading of the book and have their golden ticket punched by the conductor. At the North Pole, Santa and his elves will board the train for the return trip to Connersville. During his brief visit with each family, Santa will present everyone with the first gift of Christmas - a silver bell from his sleigh. Become part of the story and wear your pajamas!
Tickets are $47.00 per person for all departures through December 1. Tickets for all departures after December 1 are $55.00 per person. Infants under two do not need a ticket if riding in a ticketed passenger's lap. Tickets for THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride are non-refundable, non-returnable, non-exchangeable, and non-transferable.
Vist our event FAQ for full details.
Purchase tickets online HERE or by phone at 765 825-2054.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Schedule
- Friday, November 15 at 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM
- Saturday, November 16 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- Friday, November 22 at 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM
- Saturday, November 23 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- Sunday, November 24 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- Friday, November 29 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- Saturday, November 30 at 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM
- Sunday, December 1 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- Friday, December 6 at 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM
- Saturday, December 7 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- Friday, December 13 at 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM
- Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- Friday, December 20 at 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM
- Saturday, December 21 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s24)
Based on THE POLAR EXPRESS book and characters © & ™ 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Santa Claus Limited
The Santa Claus Limited is the longest running event at the Whitewater Valley Railroad. It has operated in one form or another since 1973.
Board the train at Connersville's Grand Central Station for a short excursion through the countryside. Santa Claus will board the train shortly after leaving the station and briefly visit with each family. Kids 12 and under will also receive a candy cane from Santa. Tickets are $12 for ages two and up.
NOTE: This train is not affiliated with the THE POLAR EXPRESS™ and does not operate to the North Pole.
Purchase tickets online HERE or by phone at 765 825-2054.
Santa Claus Limited Schedule
- Saturday, November 30 at 9:00 AM, 11:15 AM & 1:30 PM
Easter Bunny Express
The Easter Bunny Express, now in its 23rd year, will depart from Connersville's Grand Central Station and make four round trips to the Easter Bunny Patch. At the patch, you will meet the Easter Bunny, and children aged nine and under can participate in the Golden Egg hunt. Candy-filled eggs will be scattered around the patch, and the lucky children who find the Golden Eggs will receive a special gift back at the station. Remember to bring your basket! All seats are $12 for ages two and up. The train and egg hunt runs rain or shine.
Purchase tickets online HERE or by phone at 765 825-2054.
Easter Bunny Express Schedule
- Saturday, March 30 at 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM & 4:30 PM
Sunset Express Train to Dinner
Spend a delightful summer evening with us on the Sunset Express. Your journey begins at Grand Central Station in Connersville, where you will board the train for a relaxing 45-minute ride through the scenic Whitewater Valley to the small town of Laurel. Upon arrival in Laurel, our friendly crew will guide you on a brief 600 ft walk to the Laurel Fire Department, where you'll enjoy a delicious catered meal hosted by the fire department volunteers. After dinner and dessert, enjoy the sunset as you stroll back to the train. On the way back to Connersville, the crew will keep you entertained with stories, jokes, and maybe a song or two!
Just Smokin' Bar-B-Q & Catering from Centerville, Indiana, are the caterers and will be presenting the following menu for your dining pleasure:
- Pulled pork
- Smoked chicken
- Buns, BBQ sauce, and sandwich fixings
- Red-skinned potato salad
- Coleslaw
- An assortment of ice cream treats and cookies
- Iced tea, lemonade & bottled water
The meal will be served buffet style on high-quality disposable dinnerware. After everyone has had their first trip, multiple trips through the buffet line are encouraged.
All seats are $55, including the train ride, meal, taxes, and fees. The Laurel Fire Department will receive a portion of the ticket price to support its operations. Additional donations will be graciously accepted.
If you need assistance walking to and from the fire department, please let us know so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Purchase tickets online HERE or by phone at (765) 825-2054.
Sunset Express Train to Dinner Schedule
- Saturday, June 15 at 6:00 PM
Throttle Time
The Whitewater Valley Railroad is proud to present our Throttle Time experience. The general public will be offered a chance to operate one of our historic diesel-electric locomotives as a guest engineer on the railroad's main line. Each guest engineer will participate in a brief operational training session before sitting at the throttle for 30 minutes of actual hands-on locomotive operations. The locomotive will operate "light" without attached train cars.
Times available are 12:01 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. The Throttle Time experience costs $150 and includes a one-year membership to the Whitewater Valley Railroad and a subscription to our newsletter "Towpath Tracks."
Participants must be 18 years of age or older, have normal vision and hearing, climb steps into the locomotive cab unassisted and understand and follow written and verbal instructions. Participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver in case of injury or accident.
Throttle Time takes place at the Whitewater Valley Railroad's shop and yard in Connersville, Indiana, at the intersection of Eastern Avenue and State Route 121. (This is 3/4 mile south of Grand Central Station.)
Purchase tickets online HERE or by phone at 765 825-2054.
Throttle Time Schedule
- Saturday, June 8 at 12:01 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
- Saturday, July 13 at 12:01 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
- Saturday, August 10 at 12:01 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
- Saturday, September 14 at 12:01 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
Chuck Wagon Choo Choo Train to Dinner
Are you hungry for Wild West Fun? Join the Circle D Rangers for a lip-smacking hootenanny on the Chuck Wagon Choo Choo Train to Dinner. As featured on our monthly Wild West Special, the Circle D Rangers band of cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen will entertain passengers on the 45-minute train ride to the small town of Laurel. Upon arrival in Laurel, we will guide you on a brief 600 ft walk to the Laurel Fire Department, where you'll enjoy a delicious catered meal hosted by the fire department volunteers. After dinner and dessert, the cowboys will tell stories and jokes and sing songs on the return to Connersville. Watch out for the cowboy's after-dinner poker game - cheaters will be shot!
The Blue Umbrella Bistro and Bakery from Metamora, Indiana, are the caterers and will be presenting the following menu for your dining pleasure:
- Ham and beans
- Cornbread
- Fried potatoes
- Chicken tenders
- Potato wedges
- Coleslaw
- Peach cobbler, brownies, and yellow cake
- Iced tea, lemonade & bottled water
The meal will be served buffet style on high-quality disposable dinnerware. After everyone has had their first trip, multiple trips through the buffet line are encouraged.
All seats are $60, including the train ride, meal, taxes, and fees. The Laurel Fire Department will receive a portion of the ticket price to support its operations. Additional donations will be graciously accepted.
If you need assistance walking to and from the fire department, please let us know so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Purchase tickets online HERE or by phone at (765) 825-2054.
Sunset Express Train to Dinner Schedule
- Saturday, June 15 at 6:00 PM
The Valley Whisper
Especially for our special needs passengers, this sensory-friendly 45-minute train ride is just right for those who find our other train rides too stimulating. We will only use the horn and bell in case of an emergency, and the train will travel slowly to minimize rocking motions.
This train ride will operate from the railroad's South Connersville Shop and Yard, where our crew will have the resources to board passengers with physical disabilities. Please call us at (765) 825-2054 to verify if we can accommodate your needs.
Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults, or $20 for the whole family. Purchase tickets online HERE or by phone at (765) 825-2054.
The railroad's South Connersville Shop and Yard is at 300 S Eastern Ave in Connersville. Use this Google Maps link for directions: https://goo.gl/maps/pfwCQ8Wmmqo2GMne7.
The Valley Whisper Schedule
- Friday, September 20 at 6:00 PM
Murder on the Whitewater Express Train to Dinner
Saturday, October 19, departing from Connersville's Grand Central Station at 6:00 pm
Get ready for an exciting adventure full of mystery and fun! Join us for the "Murder on the Whitewater Express Train to Dinner," presented by the Whitewater Valley Railroad and Imagine Performing Arts. As the story unfolds during the scenic round-trip journey to Laurel, characters from the tale will interact with you, answering questions and sharing clues. Be sure to pay attention and take notes! Upon arrival in Laurel, we will guide you on a brief 600 ft walk to the Laurel Fire Department, where you'll enjoy a delicious catered meal hosted by the fire department volunteers. Hav-A-Bite from Metamora, Indiana, are the caterers and will be presenting the following menu for your dining pleasure:
- 2 pieces of Fried Chicken
- Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
- Green Beans
- Cole Slaw
- Dinner Roll
- Assorted Cookies
- Iced Tea, Lemonade & Bottled Water
The meal will be served buffet-style on high-quality disposable dinnerware. After everyone has had their first serving, multiple trips through the buffet line are encouraged.
Once back at the station, the story will conclude, and the first passenger who correctly deduces the murderer and the motive will receive a small gift and hearty applause from the crowd.
All seats are $47.50, including the train ride, meal, taxes, and fees. The Laurel Fire Department will receive a portion of the ticket price to support its operations.
If you need assistance walking to and from the fire department, please let us know so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Purchase tickets online HERE or by phone at (765) 825-2054.
Ghost Train of Metamora
This family-friendly (no blood or gore) half-hour excursion is great for ghosts and goblins of all ages. As the train travels through the dark countryside, passengers will be haunted by characters from our ghost story. THIS EXCURSION OPERATES FROM METAMORA, NOT CONNERSVILLE. All seats are $15 for ages two and up.
This popular event sells out quickly; buy early for best selection. The Metamora ticket office is located at 19056 Main St, Metamora, IN 47030.
Purchase tickets online HERE or by phone at 765 825-2054.
Ghost Train of Metamora Schedule
- Friday, October 11 at 6:45 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:15 PM & 9:01 PM
- Saturday, October 12 at 6:45 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:15 PM & 9:01 PM
- Friday, October 18 at 6:45 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:15 PM & 9:01 PM
- Saturday, October 19 at 6:45 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:15 PM & 9:01 PM
- Friday, October 25 at 6:45 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:15 PM & 9:01 PM
- Saturday, October 26 at 6:45 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:15 PM & 9:01 PM
Pumpkinliner
Bring the family for some fall fun. Enjoy a round trip from Connersville's Grand Central Station to the Pumpkin Patch. Your ticket includes round trip train service, a hay ride to and from the patch, and a pumpkin for each child 12 and under. Tickets are $12 for ages two and up. This popular event sells out quickly; buy early for best selection. Train, hay ride, and pumpkin patch operate rain or shine.
Purchase tickets online HERE or by phone at 765 825-2054.
Pumpkinliner Schedule
- Saturday, October 26 at 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM & 4:30 PM
- Sunday, October 27 at 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM & 4:30 PM