Fall Events at Whitewater Valley Railroad in Connersville

Whitewater Valley Railroad Train in Metamora.
Photo provided by the railroad and used with written permission.

By William Gray
Whitewater Valley Railroad
http://www.whitewatervalleyrr.org/

Travel Through Time On Indiana’s Most Scenic Railroad

The Whitewater Valley Railroad (WVRR) is an authentic, historic train offering recreational train excursions and events for its 40th operating season in 2013.

Ride the 40th year of the Canal Days Limited to the 45th Annual Canal Days Celebration in Metamora, Indiana on October 4-6, 2013 (see photo above). No need to worry about parking in Metamora. Special excursions will depart Connersville’s Grand Central Station at 10:00 am on Friday October 4 for a two hour layover in Metamora to enjoy the festivities. On Saturday October 5 and Sunday October 6, two trains each day will depart from the Connersville’s Grand Central Station station. The 10:01 am train departure will give passengers four hours to enjoy the festivities and the 12:01 pm train will offer two hours in Metamora. Ticket fares are $22 for adults and $14 for children ages two through twelve.  Tickets are available online at tickets.whitewatervalleyrr.org or by calling Connersville’s Grand Central Station at 765-825-2054.

The Canal Days Excursions have become a traditional fall time activity for many local area residents. The WVRR has operated special trains to Metamora Canal Days its entire existence with the first trains being operated in 1974 as a part of the WVRR’s inaugural season. During the 1973 Canal Days Celebration, the recently formed WVRR debuted it forthcoming service by placing one its newly acquired coaches on display near the Metamora Mill. We are very proud to be a part of Canal Days for the past 40 years and look forward to the next 40 years.

The Canal Days Limited is not the only exciting events happening this fall at the Whitewater Valley Railroad during the 40th season.

• Fall Foliage Flyer – Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage in the Whitewater River Valley between Connersville and Metamora on one of our Fall Foliage Flyer Excursions. This special excursion runs every Thursday and Friday during October, departing the Connersville station at 10:01 am. In Historic Metamora, Visit the working grist mill, restored canal and lock, operating replica horse drawn canal boat, historic covered aqueduct, and over 40 shops and restaurants during the 2 hour layover before your return trip to Connersville. The round trip fares for this train are $22 for adult and $14 for children, one way fares are $16 for adults and $9 for children. 

• Valley Flyer – Connersville-Metamora – Visit Historic Metamora, Indiana as this train departs from our Connersville depot at 12:01 pm on every Saturday and Sunday in October. Platted in 1838, Metamora is a restored canal town. Visit the working grist mill, restored canal and lock, operating replica horse drawn canal boat, historic covered aqueduct, and over 40 shops and restaurants during the 2 hour layover. Trains consisting of vintage equipment depart Connersville’s Grand Central Station at 12:01 pm on Saturdays & Sundays in October. The Valley Flyer departs Metamora for the return to Connersville at 3:30 pm, arriving at the Connersville Station at 5:00 pm. The round trip fares for this train are $22 for adult and $14 for children, one way fares are $16 for adults and $9 for children. 

• Twilight Limited Train to Dinner – October 4 and 18, 2013 – The Train to Dinner departs Connersville’s Grand Central Station at 6 p.m. on the first and third Friday during the regular operating season, and travels to the Laurel Hotel. The cost is $29 per adult, $15 for children (special child’s menu) and includes the round trip train ride, the meal, tax and tip. Reservations required. For reservations and schedule call: (765) 825-2054 (Prices may change without notice). 

• The Statesman with Mr. Lincoln – October 12, 2013 – Travel through time on The Statesman as you spend the day with the 16th President Abraham Lincoln on a relaxing train excursion through the Whitewater Valley. Mr. Lincoln will be riding along as you travel along remnants of the Whitewater Canal to the historic town of Metamora. Ask the former president questions and have your photos taken to preserve the memories. Listen to Mr. Lincoln as he delivers a memorable speech before the train departs Metamora for the return to Connersville. The round trip fares for this train are $22 for adult and $14 for children, one way fares are $16 for adults and $9 for children. Caboose tickets are also available for $25 adult and $16 child on this excursion. 

• Overland Limited – Wild West Train – October 19-20, 2013 – All Aboard with a western twist. Join the Circle D Rangers as they protect the Metamora bound train on the 3rd Saturday and 3rd Sunday in October. Come and see Bandits, Marshals, Robber Barons, Fancy and some Not So Fancy Women as you roll through the scenic countryside. Trains depart Connersville at 12:01 PM. The round trip fares for this train are $22 for adult and $14 for children, one way fares are $16 for adults and $9 for children. 

• Pumpkinliner – October 26-27, 2013 – Bring the family out for an afternoon of fun. Enjoy a round trip from our Connersville Grand Central Station to our pumpkin patch. Your train ticket includes round trip service to the pumpkin patch, a hay ride to the patch, and a pumpkin from the field. Trains depart at 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Ticket includes a pumpkin for children age 12 and under. Tickets are limited and reservations are recommended.

About the WVRR

Travel through time on Indiana’s most scenic railroad, voted Indiana’s Best Scenic Railway in 2011 and 2013 by The Official Best Of athttp://www.officialbestof.com. Established in 1972, the Whitewater Valley Railroad is a nonprofit 501c3 railroad history organization. It is an operating railroad museum dedicated to the preservation of a historic branch line railroad, the restoration of railroad equipment, and to the conduct of railroad educational programs. The railroad is operated by trained volunteers and all proceeds are used to further the organization’s mission. Train operations began in spring 1974 with trips between Connersville, Metamora, and Brookville, Indiana.

Come to Connersville, Indiana and return to a time when the railroad moved the nation and the short line railroad was a small town’s best friend.  The WVRR attracts passengers and railroad enthusiasts from all across the United States and Canada. Connersville is situated 65 miles from Cincinnati, Dayton, and Indianapolis, conveniently located in between the three metro areas.

About Metamora, Indiana

Metamora is Indiana’s treasured 1838 canal town.  Nestled in southeastern Indiana’s beautiful countryside, Metamora is steeped in history and famous for its preservation of Indiana’s oldest and still operating water-powered grist mill. Located 60 miles east of Indianapolis and 35 miles west of Cincinnati, A must see town that retains all of its traditional charm and languid atmosphere. Shop in stores housed in buildings dating back to the early 1800s, eat and above all else… Enjoy the slow relaxing pace of the past! For more information on Historic Metamora, visit Metamora online at http://www.metamoraindiana.com.

Call 765-825-2054 for more information and reservations or visit the Whitewater Valley Railroad’s web site atwww.whitewatervalleyrr.org