|
The Fremont Dinner Train, operating out of Fremont,
Nebraska, gives Nebraskans and visitors alike an opportunity to relive
the glory days of rail travel with a theme twist. This excursion train
line offers Friday, Saturday and Sunday dinner runs, murder mystery
runs and other special events. However, unlike many theme events where
the menu takes a back seat to the event, the menu offered by the Fremont
Dinner Train is first rate, as are the three beautiful dining cars.
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 prices $52.00, afternoon $42.00,
murder mysery show $72.00. For the latest schedule and price, please
visit their
website.
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.
(Update: 5/13, 2009)
|