Wine & Cheese Train Remains On Track, Will Move Into October
By Stephen Kopfinger
Lancaster Sunday News

It’s scene that could play out in “Murder on the Orient Express” or any movie devoted to the glamour of old-fashioned train travel.

Passengers in a handsomely paneled coach recline in plush armchairs as attendants pour wine. Trays set with cheese, crackers and grapes beckon.

Outside, lush scenery competes with the fruit of the vine — that swirls to the rhythm of the rails — in monogrammed stemware.

The train in question is not the Orient Express. And its destination is Paradise, not Paris. But elegance is to be had — albeit on a more casual scale, one that doesn’t require a tuxedo or evening gown — on the newest addition to the Strasburg Rail Road.

In July, the popular passenger carrier, which shuttles train buffs between Strasburg and Paradise, and back, in vintage steam-hauled rolling stock, launched a “Wine & Cheese Train,” in a parlor car attached to the rear of the train.

“It’s been great,” said JoAnn O’Connell, parlor car manager. “It’s sold out — every one,” she said of the two weekly runs, both at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings that were scheduled through this month. “We’re going to continue it into October,” O’Connell said, with service scaled back to a 6 p.m. Saturday run toward the end of September.

By day, the parlor car “Marian” — a re-creation coach crafted in the Strasburg Rail Road’s workshop — welcomes travelers of all ages on the 45-minute round trip through Lancaster County farmland. On the Wine & Cheese runs, it’s strictly 21 and over. Cost is $25 per passenger and includes what the train advertises — wine and cheese. Not to mention ambience.

“This is terrific,” said Becky Magnelli, who was visiting from Pittsburgh with her husband, Salvatore, for their fifth wedding anniversary.

“We’ve gone to a lot of wine dinners, and we saw this on the Internet,” Becky said. “The local wines are great.”

“The sweet red is very good,” said Salvatore, sipping a Strasburger Red from Twin Brook Winery in nearby Gap.

Twin Brook is the house wine on board. “We have four kinds of wine — two reds and two whites,” said O’Connell. Non-alcoholic and a limited number of mixed drinks — don’t expect specialty martinis — are available for an additional cost, as are Amish Four Grain and Franklinfest beers on tap from Lancaster Brewing Co.

Servers move throughout the coach dispensing beverages and presenting cheese trays — let them do the walking.

Passengers are encouraged to keep their seats; the ride can be bumpy standing up.

The cheese (be sure to try the Swiss) also has a local connection; it comes from Strasburg Market Basket and trays are garnished with juicy strawberries. There’s no need to worry about balancing a dish on one’s lap — small tables adjoin chairs and love seats.

Stemware is emblazoned with the crest of the old Pennsylvania Railroad, in a salute to the junction in Paradise where the Strasburg Rail Road’s tracks meet those of the former Pennsylvania’s Main Line. But those glasses can’t be filled until the train begins moving, in compliance with township “dry” laws.

Once under way, passengers won’t see vineyards outside their windows, but lush fields of corn and soybeans. Paired with an agreeable red or white —Twin Brook’s Strasburger Red has an especially appealing taste that will please even those who dislike sweet wines — it’s a literally intoxicating view.

“Fantastic — Don’t drink too much!” said Cornelia Hiel, visiting with her husband, Dolf, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. International visitors are nothing new to the Strasburg Rail Road; O’Connell noted passengers from as far as Germany and Taiwan, as well as those from within an hour’s drive.

“We’ve been trying to find a way to attract people to come and ride this late train,” said O’Connell, noting that ridership on the evening run is traditionally less full than during the day. It’s a time when visitors normally head back to their hotels or to dinner.

There’s another business angle: O’Connell said she hopes wine enthusiasts will “enjoy the experience and come back with their families.” The Wine & Cheese service complements, but is separate from, the Strasburg’s upscale Lee Brenner dining car, which has been in service since 1993.

It’s also one more enticement to long-time rail fans, such as Randy and Bev Wike, from Vestal, N.Y. They’ve been riding the Strasburg Rail Road “35 years, every year,” said Randy.

“This is super,” said Bev. “I just wish it was longer!”

To learn more about the wine served at Strasburg Rail Road, please visit Twin Brook Winery.

To read the entire article, please visit Lancaster Online.