Hoosier State Train
Indianapolis IN - Lafayette IN - Chicago IL
with additional intermediate stops.
NOTE - The Hoosier State Train no longer operates. This page was written in 2015.
Sunrise over Indianna as seen from the Hoosier State Train
Coffee is served at Coach Seats on board the Hoosier State Train.
The Hoosier State Train is a unique partnership with Iowa Pacific, Amtrak, and the State of Indiana.
The train operates 4 days a week. On the days the Hoosier State does not run, Amtrak's Cardinal operates on the same schedule with standard Amtrak equipment. The Hoosier State operates with historic equipment owned by the Iowa Pacific Railroad (the same operators of the Pullman Rail Journeys service.)
The train features comfortable, long distance coaches with plenty of leg room, tray tables, and reclining seats. A Dome Car offers food and beverage service to all passengers on the lower level, and features Business Class seating upstairs in the glass enclosed second level of the car.
The Route
The Hoosier State operates mostly in the state of Indiana, traveling through small towns, and past many working farms. The route would not bot be considered overly scenic, but I really enjoy the simplicity of rolling through the mid-American towns and past the rolling hills of corn. I've been able to spot some wildlife from the train as well, including deer, rabbits, blue heron, and sandhill cranes. Much of the track the Hoosier State operates on is former Monon Railroad, which operated almost exclusively in the state of Indiana. The former Monon track is now owned and maintained by the CSX Railroad. The Hoosier State route is not on a mainline route, so top speed is usually about 60 mph.
The Stations
Indianapolis IN - Trains depart from an intermodal Amtrak and Greyhound Bus Station in Downtown Indianapolis. The platforms run above the city streets and date back to the time the original Union Station was used. While no longer used as a train station, the original 1888 Union Station still stands Downtown and is now used as a Convention Center and Hotel.
Crawfordsville IN - While passengers only have a small covered waiting area at Crawfordsvile, the original 1926 depot built for the Monon Railroad still stands and is now home to the Right Track Restaurant.
Lafayette IN - Trains board at the Historic 1902 Depot originally built for the "Big Four" Railroad and later moved to its current site in the 1990's to serve Amtrak trains. The Wabash River can be seen on the opposite side from the depot.
Rensselaer IN - Trains board on a platform with only a small covered shelter.
Dyer IN - The Station Platform sits adjacent to where the old Monon Railroad (now CSX) and the Elgin Joliet & Eastern Railroad meet. The current Amtrak station was built in 2014 to serve the city of Dyer.
Chicago IL - Trains arrive and depart from the busy Chicago Union Station. Completed in 1925, over 3 million passengers use this historic station today. Many Amtrak and Metra Rail Connections can be made here.
The train operates 4 days a week. On the days the Hoosier State does not run, Amtrak's Cardinal operates on the same schedule with standard Amtrak equipment. The Hoosier State operates with historic equipment owned by the Iowa Pacific Railroad (the same operators of the Pullman Rail Journeys service.)
The train features comfortable, long distance coaches with plenty of leg room, tray tables, and reclining seats. A Dome Car offers food and beverage service to all passengers on the lower level, and features Business Class seating upstairs in the glass enclosed second level of the car.
The Route
The Hoosier State operates mostly in the state of Indiana, traveling through small towns, and past many working farms. The route would not bot be considered overly scenic, but I really enjoy the simplicity of rolling through the mid-American towns and past the rolling hills of corn. I've been able to spot some wildlife from the train as well, including deer, rabbits, blue heron, and sandhill cranes. Much of the track the Hoosier State operates on is former Monon Railroad, which operated almost exclusively in the state of Indiana. The former Monon track is now owned and maintained by the CSX Railroad. The Hoosier State route is not on a mainline route, so top speed is usually about 60 mph.
The Stations
Indianapolis IN - Trains depart from an intermodal Amtrak and Greyhound Bus Station in Downtown Indianapolis. The platforms run above the city streets and date back to the time the original Union Station was used. While no longer used as a train station, the original 1888 Union Station still stands Downtown and is now used as a Convention Center and Hotel.
Crawfordsville IN - While passengers only have a small covered waiting area at Crawfordsvile, the original 1926 depot built for the Monon Railroad still stands and is now home to the Right Track Restaurant.
Lafayette IN - Trains board at the Historic 1902 Depot originally built for the "Big Four" Railroad and later moved to its current site in the 1990's to serve Amtrak trains. The Wabash River can be seen on the opposite side from the depot.
Rensselaer IN - Trains board on a platform with only a small covered shelter.
Dyer IN - The Station Platform sits adjacent to where the old Monon Railroad (now CSX) and the Elgin Joliet & Eastern Railroad meet. The current Amtrak station was built in 2014 to serve the city of Dyer.
Chicago IL - Trains arrive and depart from the busy Chicago Union Station. Completed in 1925, over 3 million passengers use this historic station today. Many Amtrak and Metra Rail Connections can be made here.
The "Great Hall" of Chicago's Union Station.
The Hoosier State Train (on the Right) arrives at Chicago Union Station.
The Service
The Iowa Pacific provides on board service that is second to none. Uniformed attendants will inform you about your journey, assist you on board, and serve you anything from a cup of coffee, to a full meal.
The Dining Car on board the Hoosier State serves Breakfast departing Indianapolis, and Dinner Departing Chicago. The Dining Car Service features linen table cloths, fresh cut flowers, and fine china. The food is cooked to order on board the train.
Menu prices are very reasonable, and a dining car meal is included with Business Class Service.
Complimentary Wifi is available on the train although naturally the connection can be spotty in some remote areas.
Snacks and Beverages are available from the dining car, or may be ordered at your seat.
Photos from the Hoosier State Dining Car -
The Iowa Pacific provides on board service that is second to none. Uniformed attendants will inform you about your journey, assist you on board, and serve you anything from a cup of coffee, to a full meal.
The Dining Car on board the Hoosier State serves Breakfast departing Indianapolis, and Dinner Departing Chicago. The Dining Car Service features linen table cloths, fresh cut flowers, and fine china. The food is cooked to order on board the train.
Menu prices are very reasonable, and a dining car meal is included with Business Class Service.
Complimentary Wifi is available on the train although naturally the connection can be spotty in some remote areas.
Snacks and Beverages are available from the dining car, or may be ordered at your seat.
Photos from the Hoosier State Dining Car -
