You Owe It To Yourself: The Cincinnati Dinner Train

When Brian Collins called me a week or so ago I knew he had something important on his mind.  After all, he is a very successful businessman, a trustworthy friend and a man respected far and wide for his aggressive advocacy on behalf of the best America has to offer.

Not surprisingly he launched directly into the purpose of his call, to tell me that despite the predictions of doom and gloom he felt compelled to do something dramatically different in order to inspire people to take stock of the blessings already here in our community but to see things from a different perspective.  Having nurtured a radio program with the same theme for several years I was intrigued by his vision, and wanted to know more.

I knew already that he was a huge fan of rail travel and was the owner of The Cincinnati Railway Company.  I knew that he had invested his soul and his treasure into restoring railroad cars for safe and romantic travel across the United States.  I knew that he never did anything half way and so when he described his newest venture with the enthusiasm of a new father describing his first born son, I sensed in him a rekindled spark of the American Spirit and couldn’t wait to be a part of that experience.

Brian and his partners have refused to accept predictions of economic defeat and have brought to our community a wonderful and affordable new dining opportunity for you and your friends to enjoy.  They have successfully found a way to blend into one evening a moving connection with history, a real life stroll at a leisurely pace through forgotten places with a wonderful combination of sensory excitement and romantic optimism.  They have created for all of us the Cincinnati Dinner Train and let me tell you it is a wonderful evening’s adventure.

Harriet and I were honored to join Brian and his guests for the maiden voyage of the Cincinnati Dinner Train Saturday evening. Just before the restored 1940’s era dining cars came into view, off in the distance above the rushing wind I could hear the clanging of the engines bell.  Soon  I felt beneath my feet the rumble of the powerful locomotive only seconds before the train’s whistle pierced the air.

All aboard we found ourselves seated at linen covered tables next to large viewing windows which allowed us to enjoy the picturesque scenes from the world outside. As the train moved slowly from the loading area we passed through a tunnel, then beside narrow out of the way streets where the occupants of homes that once knew the rails intimately stood waving as the vintage train eased its way closely past their porches, between the encroaching trees and flowering hedges.

As we slowly made our way along the forested corridor familiar landmarks off a short distance from the tracks would occasionally appear. We felt as if we were watching the rest of the world from a quiet and yet stealthy vantage point.

Soon the Ohio River came into view.  We watched boats charging about with bow spray and stern foam sleekly gliding on the water.  The views and the rolling experience alone were worth the trip but seated by the window we were about to be served a wonderful meal.

The meal rivaled that of any popular Cincinnati restaurant.  But we enjoyed ours all the while watching as the scenery changed at the leisurely pace of 5 miles per hour to which was added the gentle rocking of the dining car which seemed to sooth our dining partners and engendered an extremely mellow mood.

Our trip took us to the “run around” at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse where we stayed for a moment or two while the engine moved around the train and hooked up to take us back.  Soon enough our journey started again, and after dinner in the gathering car we stood in the doorway and felt the breeze at sunset as we made our way back up the tracks, through historic places one can only see from  the rails, until we arrived just after dark at our place of departure.

The Cincinnati Dinner Train is a wonderful experience, and one I plan to repeat soon and often.  You should too.  I am honored to have been on the maiden voyage, but no less thrilled as I anticipate taking guests with me to enjoy that wonderful experience for themselves.

Thank you Brian and Vicky.  The Cincinnati Dinner Train.  You owe it to yourself.

Comments

[Just A Lady]

Marcus your description is perfect. We took the dinner train and you captured the mood, the food and the experience in every detail.

I wish everyone could find the time to make that dinner train part of their experience. It was really the best thing I've done in years.

Thank you for your endorsement.

[Greg]

We took the dinner train this past Saturday and really enjoyed it. The service was excellent, the food was good, the cars were comfortable and we had a good time. Our only complaint is the significant amount of overgrown foliage and trees which block much of the view.

[Andy Furman]

A tremendous experience -- and everyone should capture it.
--Andy Furman

p.s. well said, Marcus

[Rick]

How does it compare to the Bardstown Dinner Train? My wife and I have done that trip a few times and really love it. We celebrate our 25th this week and might make the trek to Cincinnati to try this one. Thanks!!!