today at the museum Open today 10 am–5 pm
Families looking at the Reuben Wells train inside the exhibit.

All Aboard!

Admission
Included with Admission
Dates
Permanent

Utterly powerful and full of possibilities for adventure, trains have captivated us for centuries. Get your imagination back on track in All Aboard! centered around the Reuben Wells steam locomotive.  

  • Play through rail history in the Reuben Wells area and learn the history of this mighty steam engine in a new sound and light show
  • Experience the thrill of train travel in the Passenger Car area
  • Act like an engineer in the Drive a Train area
  • Repair like a mechanic in the Tool Car area
  • Examine the toy trains on display
  • Recommended for children ages 3–5.
  • This gallery has a sound-and-light show that plays on every hour and half-hour throughout the day, including many sounds, wall projections, lighting effects, and the train bell will ring 

Daily Activities inside All Aboard!

daily activity
The Adventures of the Reuben Wells
Discover the true story of the powerful engine, the Reuben Wells, through a magical sound and light show experience that will take you on an adventure back in time, to the current day, and even into the future.
All Ages
10 minutes
learn more

Sensory information

Get ready for your visit by reviewing the sights and sounds you'll experience in All Aboard!

Please Note

The historic tool car has limited accessibility, including stairs, low ceilings, and narrow walkway. The gallery goes into sensory mode from 4–5 p.m. daily with lowered volumes and no bell ringing

A Brief History of the Reuben Wells

Dreamed up by Reuben Wells, a railroad master mechanic from Jeffersonville, Indiana, the mighty engine was in service in Madison, Indiana, for about 30 years, starting in 1868. Eventually, it ended up in a Pennsylvania railyard. So how did it arrive at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis?
Find Out How
Archive footage of Reuben Wells on Madison Hill.
The reimagination of All Aboard! is made possible by the generous support of Jane and Steve Marmon, Larry and Nancy VanArendonk, Monica Leigh White, and an anonymous donor.
A young boy wearing bright orange safety goggles and a long-sleeved shirt uses a brush to uncover a fossil in a indoor sandbox exhibit at a museum.

Start planning your visit

Not sure where to start? You'll find everything from hours and parking to food and accessibility on our plan your visit page.
Start here
today at the museum
Open today 10 am–5 pm