We highly suggest making sure you do not select “shortest route” as many GPS systems will take you on a winding tour of the many back country roads of Orange County
The French Lick Scenic Railway is located in the EASTERN TIME ZONE. The railroad does observe Daylight Savings Time. If you are traveling from the western part of the state, please ensure that you double check and plan ahead. French Lick is in the EASTERN TIME ZONE.
While this sounds like a silly question, it does come up from time to time. Consistent with most rail travel, trains do operate on a timetable and, the 1:00 pm train really does LEAVE THE STATION at 1:00 pm.
The train typically begins boarding 20 – 30 minutes prior to departure and tickets are collected onboard the train. If you are parking your car at 1:00 pm, you will miss the train.
Parking is available in the depot parking lot. Parking is also available in the Blue Lot of the French Lick Resort. Those driving large vehicles such as large pickups, RVs, or any vehicle with a trailer must park in the Blue Lot. Parking at these locations is FREE.
French Lick & West Baden was once known as the home to “America’s Laxative”. The Pluto Water slogan was “When nature wont, Pluto will.” At one point in time, 40-50 train cars were used to ship Pluto Water across the country. This “healing” water naturally contained sodium, magnesium sulfate, and lithium which produced a foul odor. This odor prompted people to say that the underworld couldn’t be far away.
Pluto, the Roman God of the Underworld became a staple symbol in our area. Ultimately, Pluto Water sales were stopped in 1971 when lithium became a controlled substance and was no longer allowed to be sold publicly. However, the Pluto symbol remains and can still be found in many areas locally.
