posted
I know this doesn't exactly fit into the subject here but I need the knowledge of all you train people. A friend mentioned dinner trains and that got us wondering..what is the oldest running dinner train in the US. Were there some or any that may have run in the past but no longer do. Any input will be appreciated. Thanks
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Kalmbach Books (Trains magazine) published a comprehensive guide to tourist trains. It's a place to start if you want to do the research. I have vague memories about the Napa Valley Wine Train being one of the first. I think there was once a mystery dinner train from SFO to Santa Cruz. Here's a list of 85 dinner trains:
posted
There was, in the late 80's and 1990's a very nice dinner train in Nashville, TN called the 'Broadway' Dinner train. It stopped running in about 1999.
The nicest dinner train in my part of the country these days is 'My Old Kentucky' Dinner Train in Bardstown, KY. So named because Bardstown...about 40 minutes south of Louisville....is already a tourist destination with distelleries, a state park, and the historic early 1800's home which supposedly inspired Stephen Foster to write what is now the state song, 'My Old Kentucky Home'.
The dinner train is owned by the RJ Corman Corporation. RJ Corman is an entreprenuer who has done well sub-contracting railroad repair operations and operating branches unwanted by the big railroads in several states. The line on which the dinner train operates, a former Louisville & Nashville branch, is one of those RJ Corman lines.
Motive power for the Kentucky Dinner train is a pair of 1950's vintage FP-7 passenger diesels originally owned by the Southern Railway. They, like the four passenger cars, have been carefully restored and meticulously maintained. Mr. Corman is a real businessman but I think some little part of him enjoys playing with trains! His firm also owns (and sometimes operates) a large Chinese made 2-10-2 steam locomotive housed in the company's shops in Lexington, KY.
OK.....sorry.....got carried away.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thank you. I had no idea there were so many. What I would now like to know is which one or ones have been in business the longest.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm trying to think of instances where you could ride Amtrak as a dinner train, like catching the Empire Builder to Milwaukee and then catching a Hiawatha back. Another might be NYP to Albany aboard the LSL and then an Empire Service train back. Maybe it works with the Coast Starlight from Oakland to Sacramento. You could enjoy dinner aboard the train then go back home the same day. Maybe you can ride the NB Crescent from NOL to Meridian, MS where you can transfer to the SB Crescent and be back in NOL that evening. You can also go from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC r/t on the Capitol Limited and enjoy a meal in the diner each way.
Anybody live in Cumberland?
David S.
-------------------- I believe in something. I believe I'll take the train. Posts: 284 | From: Ithaca, NY USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for the link, Mr. Norman. The past was obviously more appealing than the present as far as train riding goes! I was thinking about instances where similar excursions could be made today.
David S.
-------------------- I believe in something. I believe I'll take the train. Posts: 284 | From: Ithaca, NY USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
All of the replies have been interesting but no one has yet answered my question. What dinner train is the longet running one?
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
In order to learn which is the oldest you can try going down the list and seeing if the date of establisment is advertised. It's a difficult question!
-David S.
-------------------- I believe in something. I believe I'll take the train. Posts: 284 | From: Ithaca, NY USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
