Steam Operations Suspended as Railroad Museum Works to Find New Volunteers

Due to a lack of volunteers, the museum is suspending its steam program to focus on diesel excursions for the upcoming regular season.

NORTH JUDSON, INDIANA – The volunteers of the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum have worked diligently over the last few seasons to offer many new and exciting opportunities to its passengers and guests. That includes adding steam excursions to the mix of available attractions. Bock Lumber Company no. 1 has contributed to the museum’s overall success in the last few years. This has led to record numbers of passengers for the museum.

In recent years, the museum’s volunteer base has been stretched extremely thin during some important operating days. A small, but dedicated group of core members take care of the bulk of the museum’s daily operations. As an all-volunteer non-profit organization, the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum relies on its volunteer members to operate trains, plan events, and staff the depot.

Unfortunately, due to a shortage of volunteers, the steam program at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum will be suspended for the 2025 regular season (May through September). This decision was not taken lightly and is based solely on volunteer availability. The museum will continue to offer diesel excursions and focus on delivering an exceptional experience to its guests. The museum hopes to return Bock Lumber Company no. 1 to service for its fall excursions, based on the availability of qualified crews.

“Let me point out that suspending steam is not cancelling steam,” said Vice President Fred Haberkamp. “We are hoping to able to have enough volunteers by Pumpkin Trains to run a schedule like last year. This will depend on getting in more new volunteers that are certified to help,” Haberkamp continued.

Like many non-profit organizations across the country, the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is experiencing a shortage of volunteers. Volunteering can be an extremely rewarding experience. Anyone interested in becoming a member and volunteering at the museum are encouraged to join. Please visit the museum’s website at hoosiervalley.org/join to get started.

About the Museum

Founded in 1988, the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to the preservation of railroad history in northwest Indiana. The museum educates the public through interpretive displays and its tourist railroad operations. Additional information about the museum can be found online at hoosiervalley.org or on the museum’s Facebook page at @hoosiervalley.