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What's Your Favorite Dinner Train?

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  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Chicago, Ill.
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What's Your Favorite Dinner Train?
Posted by al-in-chgo on Monday, February 11, 2008 7:31 PM

. . . or wine train, or dedicated excursion train?  (One tourist company's trains can serve more than one purpose).

How would you rate them for convenience, quality of ride, interest of trip, behavior of fellow passengers and $$$ value??

al

 

al-in-chgo
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Central Valley California
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Posted by passengerfan on Monday, February 11, 2008 8:27 PM
 al-in-chgo wrote:

. . . or wine train, or dedicated excursion train?  (One tourist company's trains can serve more than one purpose).

How would you rate them for convenience, quality of ride, interest of trip, behavior of fellow passengers and $$$ value??

al

Al

I would have to give the Napa Valley Wine Train an A+ It is one of the truly great experiences in Dinner Trains.

A close second was the the one that operated for years from Renton Washington than moved to Tacoma and recently closed I believe if memory serves me right it was the Spirit of Washington Dinner train I was really sorry to hear it shut down. A bit pricey but worth every penny.

If you like good food , good wine and excellent crews these were the two I would most recommend that I have experienced.

I have another nearby dinner train here in California's Central Valley that operates from Oakdale Ca. that is also a very interesting dinner train the name escapes me (Old Age I Guess).

When I take either the first or third dinner train I skip lunch that day.   

Al-in-Stockton

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Orange County, California USA
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Posted by Ham Radio on Monday, February 11, 2008 8:36 PM
Napa Valley Wine Train, hands down.  Dinner [dinner]
Ham Radio Orange County, California learn more about amateur radio at www.arrl.org
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Posted by espeefoamer on Monday, February 11, 2008 10:24 PM
I have only ridden one dinner train,the Spirit of Washington,out of Renton WA.A friend and I rode this trip in the full length ex MILW dome.I had a very excellent prime rib.We rode on Thanksgiving weekend so the entire trip was in darkness,but the equipment and the food was great.
Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.
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Posted by artpeterson on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:48 AM

I really enjoy the dinner train operation on the East Troy (WI) museum line.  Ex-South Shore cars tastefully redone inside, excellent food and drink, a very scenic line and a leisurely schedule have always made for an enjoyable ride and a great meal.

Art

  • Member since
    May 2015
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Posted by jhugart on Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:00 PM

In Minnesota, the town of Stillwater, east of the Twin Cities, has the Minnesota Zephyr dinner train. I've ridden it once, and the food was good -- you had to select your food choice when you made your reservation, though. There was a live singing group for entertainment which did a good job as well.

Jacob

 

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