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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
dnsommer Member # 2825
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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:
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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.
train lady Member # 3920
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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.
wayne72145 Member # 4503
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As recent as 2 years ago there was a dinner train in Newport RI
dnsommer Member # 2825
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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.
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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.
train lady Member # 3920
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All of the replies have been interesting but no one has yet answered my question. What dinner train is the longet running one?
dnsommer Member # 2825
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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.
TruckTrains Member # 6938
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I know there's quite a few old ones, I really like the one in Arkansas though, not sure how old it is..
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