Don’t miss the train!
The Indiana History Train visits Sullivan, Bargersville, New Castle and Evansville in October.

Ties to the past
This fall, hop aboard the History Train and get a hands-on, close-up look at Hoosiers whose lives were touched by the Civil War.

Three 65-foot refurbished freight cars will roll into four Indiana communities with a unique traveling exhibition, Faces of the Civil War, which explores Indiana and the Civil War. Hands-on activities and a Civil War-era actor/interpreter help visitors learn more about Indiana life during that era. Enjoy the film Well Done, Indiana and purchase Civil War-related items at the depot gift shop.

The Indiana History Train is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To schedule group visits call (800) 447-1830 or email welcome@indianahistory.org. The tour is free, but space is limited.

The 2008 Indiana History Train is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and a gift from Lilly Endowment Inc. The History Train is a partnership between the Indiana Historical Society and The Indiana Rail Road Company and is sponsored by BKD, LLP.

Click here for pre-visit tips for tour groups

Click here for the 2008 Educator’s Guide

Click here for 2008 volunteer information

Faces of the Civil War exhibit
Designed by IHS staff, in consultation with a national advisory committee, Faces of the Civil War fills three 65-foot renovated Amtrak freight cars, which comprise the Indiana History Train. Nearly all images used in the exhibit come from Indiana Historical Society Collections & Library. Additional hands-on/interactive elements have been added to enhance the visitor experience.

The exhibition brings to life the stories of many Hoosiers whose lives were touched, and in some cases taken, by the Civil War. Not all are well known or revered – many were just everyday citizens fulfilling their duties to their friends, family, state and country.

Other stories featured in the exhibition include those of women who served both on the home front and on the battlefield. Lovina Streight followed her husband into battle and was captured more than once by the Confederate army while tending to her husband, as well as his wounded and dying comrades. Streight, along with her husband, was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis with full military honors.

To view the 61 Indiana Historical Society Collections items shown in the History Train exhibit: Faces of the Civil War, click here.


History Train FAQ

What kind of cars are used for the History Train?
The Indiana History Train uses three Amtrak freight cars measuring 65 feet in length and 8 feet wide, with a metal exterior and oak interior. They were originally built for Amtrak as high speed express cars, made to travel more than 100 mph. They are now registered with the numbers: 1809 (Lincoln’s birth year); 1816 (Lincoln family moved to Indiana); and 1865 (Lincoln’s death year).

How did the cars become the Indiana History Train?
The cars were bought directly from Amtrak, where they had been stored in Iowa. They arrived covered in graffiti and to begin restoration the cars had to be sandblasted, sanded and primed. The cars were then painted bright red with an electrostatic paint that quickly adheres the paint to the train surface.

The Indiana Rail Road Co. burned the midnight oil to get the cars ready for exhibit installation, while still running its day-to-day operations. Modifications include installation of end doors, painting, electrification, track lighting and ceiling fans.

What can I expect at each location?

• Faces of the Civil War exhibition
• Documentary about the effect of the Civil War on Indiana and its citizens
• Performances by Civil War-era interpreters
• Free education tent featuring hands-on activities as well as a market to purchase Civil War-related items

How many people come to the History Train?
The History Train has welcomed more than 45,000 visitors from across Indiana since 2004.

The History Train is made possible by