A unique day-long five-city rail excursion returns to central Indiana this summer with a new twist. The Indiana Transportation Museum’s popular Hoosier Heartland train includes longer stays and more activities.

The Hoosier Heartland is scheduled for June 14 and 28, as well as July 12 and 26. A complete schedule of departure and arrival times can be found at ITM.org .

Departing out of Fishers this year, five of Hamilton County’s eight great towns are featured on these special Saturday trips: Fishers, Noblesville, Cicero, Arcadia and Atlanta. Passengers can board in Fishers for the day, or choose to board in any of the other communities for a shorter trip.

“Hamilton County has lot of great cities, but we really wanted to highlight the smaller towns as well,” said Art Hall, ITM chairman. “Arcadia and Cicero might be small, but they offer visitors a unique hometown feeling.”

While in Noblesville, shop the historic courthouse square and enjoy its many boutiques, or enjoy an iced coffee or a milkshake. In Cicero, take a stroll down to Morse Reservoir and enjoy lunch at several locally owned restaurants, or just eat an ice cream cone while watching the boats float by.

Historic Arcadia is home to a burgeoning arts initiative, featuring demonstrations by local artisans and special activities provided by local church groups. And Atlanta is home to the new Atlanta Mercantile, a one-of-a-kind shop offering regional and state crafts and food products, as well as a selection of unusual antiques.

Throughout the day, riders can get on and off the train as they wish. They can stay longer in one town by waiting to board the train on its return trip at the end of the day, or they can ride all the way north to Atlanta and back, getting on and off each time the train stops.

Tickets can be purchased anytime at Fishers Station just off 116th Street or Hobbs Station in Noblesville as well as on the train ride on the days of the event. Tickets provide passengers with an all-day pass aboard the train and cost $12 for adults and $8 for children three to 12. Children under three ride for free.

The Indiana Transportation Museum is a non-profit, volunteer organization whose mission is to preserve Indiana's railroad history, educate the public about railroad history and provide visitors with an opportunity to experience railroad travel as it used to be.

For more information about the museum or how to become a member or volunteer, call 317-773-6000 or visit ITM.org.

All proceeds from riders go toward helping the museum achieve its mission as well as renovate, repair and maintain the trains and other memorabilia.