Hesston Steam Museum

05/24/2026

Weather is going to clear and we will be steaming today! Noon to 5:00 central. As long as lightning stays away and our crews deem it safe to operate we will! Today and Memorial Day.

05/21/2026

We are excited to announce a partnership with Indiana Barn Foundation and Indiana Landmarks to host their 2026 Hands-on Timber Frame Trades Training event.

Participants will learn and apply timber framing skills in this week-long, active training led by timber frame experts Ian Stewart of Preservation Inc and Steve Hartley. The six-day training, from conception to construction of a timber frame structure, includes a half-day session evaluating a historic timber frame barn. Beginning with project planning and component fabrication, the training ends with the raising of the frame on the last day. Joinery and construction and common issues and repairs of a historic timber frame structure will be included in the hands-on experience.

Limited spots are still available:
https://indianabarnfoundation.wildapricot.org/event-6679483

We're proud to collaborate with these two outstanding preservation-minded nonprofits as they promote heritage trades and the value of historic restoration and adaptive reuse across the state.

The timber frame barn will be erected in front of our steam-powered sawmill exhibit. The 12’ by 16’ structure will provide a new place to discover the impact sawmills had on building techniques, resource conservation, and efficiency. A portion of the space will be a dedicated family area for picnics and logging themed games such as Lincoln Logs and Jenga. All logs used in the project were donated by Phil Etienne's Timber Harvest and volunteer Kevin Kissman and will be sawed on site by steam power.

For more information about Indiana Landmarks visit https://www.indianalandmarks.org/

05/10/2026

Thanks to all those Mom’s that love us unconditionally and support our interests no matter what season. Happy Mother’s Day!

05/08/2026

All aboard for National Train Day!

Join us at Hesston Steam Museum tomorrow, May 9th, to kick off the season with live steam, big whistles, and vintage rail history
When: Saturday, May 9th | 12:00 pm– 5:00 PM
Where: Hesston, IN
Don't miss the first "All Aboard" of the year!

05/03/2026

Can you hear the whistle?

Our crew fired up HK Porter Steam Locomotive #2 to test a few repairs made over the winter season.

We’re ready for National Train Day, next Saturday! Trains will be running from Noon-5pm Central Time. For more information, visit www.hesston.org

04/29/2026

Elsewhere in Railroad Preservation:

Ever wanted to see the Union Pacific Big Boy in operation? Now’s your chance LaPorte County! The Big Boy will be traveling through Wanatah and Hanna, Indiana on Friday, June 5, 2026 while enroute to Argos, Fort Wayne, and eventually Philadelphia to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary!

For your safety, please stay 25’ away from railroad tracks! For more details, visit:
https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/schedule?utm_campaign=Union+Pacific+News&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Union+Pacific+Railroad&fbclid=IwRlRTSARePhZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeCBsWr67jxV_BR0Yrm2KTSfEDxVhHEnIjsIZrQ3ek44QuvGL-_Ju1N6nq4AA_aem_YjbVxGG9jEgikCNmd_PrMg

Union Pacific connects 23 western U.S. states, providing safe and efficient railroad transportation, freight shipping and logistics.

04/17/2026

Wow! Thank you for the kind words. We are so glad you experienced the museum just the way we intend! Thank you Iris! We are happy your family enjoys our little spot in Northern Indiana!

https://myfamilytravels.com/this-indiana-steam-forest-features-miniature-locomotives-hidden-in-the-deep-woods/?utm_source=ind&fbclid=IwY2xjawRMxClleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3Q2l5Q0NCQWk4UFZOeWZHc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjf-4Mpa2ZDmb4K_A177Ezd8T9d031KZG9Xmw7ROAL1sWsnAGU5gjRyHf2DZ_aem_xNHhl-cXVt0z8sop8M6Eag

This Indiana steam forest hides miniature locomotives deep in the woods. Visitors can explore and discover these tiny trains tucked among the trees.

04/14/2026

All aboard! 🚂 Join us at the Hesston Steam Museum on May 9th for National Train Day, filled with fun for the whole family! See you at the station! 🎟️

03/17/2026

Museum accessibility for all - Railroad Caboose Update! Smash the ❤️ if we can count on you!

In January, the Hesston Steam Museum announced the Impact Fund to foster improvement and historical exploration while helping the museum reach unprecedented levels of excellence and innovation. This year the fund is concentrated on improving accessibility to our campus and railroad experience.

With Impact Fund gifts, the volunteer crew of the Hesston & Galena Creek Narrow Gauge Railroad has been able to work on constructing a wheelchair-accessible 3’ gauge ‘Drover’s Style’ railroad caboose. Last weekend, in between the ongoing maintenance to our steam locomotives, the crew made significant progress on the caboose’s roof.

The Impact Fund is almost halfway to the goal. Your gift will be the difference. Thank you to those who have donated - you are extraordinary. Make visits extraordinary with your gift today: www.hesston.org/impact ❤️ and we will message you about ways you can make the difference.

02/26/2026

Free Popcorn!? 🍿 Thanks to Industrial Revolution for the great video on our 1893 Cretors Steam-Powered Popcorn wagon. What a great day at the museum!

Charlie Cretors decided that popcorn would be better if it was popped in oil.... but how do you do that?

https://www.youtube.com/

When I first saw this little steam engine, I didn't think much of it. Even when I went to film it, I was a bit unsure how much there was to it.Then I starte...