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The Fremont Dinner Train

More than a century ago, Fremont, Nebraska, was a hub for the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad, but by 1984 much of the track line was about to be abandoned by the railroad. At that time, the Eastern Nebraska chapter of the National Railway Historical Society bought the track. In 1986 they began running rail excursions on the line, and in 1988 dinner trips began.

The Fremont line includes three dining cars and one new addition, a club car. One dining car, the Elkhorn River, is a 1947 Pullman car, with very traditional, historically accurate decor. Another, the Maple Creek, is a 1942 Canadian diner, with its Canadian heritage very evident. The third diner, the Rose Creek, build in 1947, is another Canadian car with a dance floor available. Lastly, the Fontanelle is a Canadian lounge/diner, which will be used as a club car for before and after dinner refreshments.

The Fremont's always excellent menu varies with the season and the theme of the trip. In general, the menu includes hors d'oeuvres, soup, salad, choice of four entrees (beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian) with potato/rice and vegetable, and dessert. Wine, beer, full bar service and non-alcoholic beer and wines are available. However, it is the special events that embellish this menu. For example, the "Wines of South Africa" excursion offered tastings of six excellent wines from the vineyards of South Africa. The "Oktoberfest on the Rail" excursion offers a German menu, complete with German beer and live German entertainment.

One of the most popular trips on the Fremont is the Murder Mystery trip. These trips, which take place in a 1940's atmosphere complete with big band music, involve the passengers in finding the solution to an onboard murder. Each table is a detective team, and must work together to amass clues to the solution.

The regular dinner train runs between May and December, on Friday and Saturday evenings (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (1:30 p.m.). The evening dinner is $45.95 and afternoon dinner is $39.95. Murder Mystery trips are held two to three times per month and are $63.45. Other special events vary in price. Upcoming trips include the "Oktoberfest on the Rail", to depart at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 19, 2001. The price is $49.95 per person; and the train's Annual Halloween Party, to depart on Friday, October 26, 2001. This event will include different murder mysteries in the dining cars, and the per person cost is $63.45.

For further information, call (402) 727-8321 or (800) 942-RAIL, or visit their website. The office is located at 650 N. "H" Street, Fremont, NE 68025, and the train leaves from 1835 North Somers Avenue, Fremont.