Wine and Cheese Train’s Season Begins Saturday
By Cindy Hummel
Lancaster New Era
April 3, 2007

A railroad experience aimed at adults will head down the Strasburg Rail Road tracks at full speed beginning April [14].

The wine and cheese train is returning, after a successful experiment last summer.

People purchased tickets for last year’s train faster than anticipated, recalled manager Joanne O’Connell.

“We sold out every wine and cheese train,” she said.

To meet the demand, the railroad will again run a wine and cheese train on Saturdays from April [14] through Nov. 24. Additional wine and cheese trains will depart on Thursday and Friday nights during part of the summer.

In addition to the single parlor car with 30 seats used in 2006, the back half of a second parlor car has been added. The new car has been transformed into a parlor car to seat an additional 14 guests.

O’Connell says she is pleased with the design of the new car, which includes green, stuffed velour chairs that swivel. The railroad shop created the chairs, finished on the bottom with fringe, based on a parlor car from 1915.

The four waiters and waitresses will have to walk back and forth between the two parlor cars, but O’Connell doesn’t think it will be a problem.

Some of the wines and cheeses will be different than those served during the inaugural year. Wine and cheese selections are still being determined, O’Connell said, and may change from week to week. One wine sure to be served is a Strasburger Red. Selections will include two red and two white wines.

The wine and cheese train, open to riders 21 and older, is popular because it gives adults a new option, O’Connell said.

“I think people wanted something to do as married couples,” she said.

Co-workers also ride together after work for unusual gatherings, O’Connell said, while other people have purchased tickets as gifts. Weddings and receptions have also taken place in the parlor car.

Besides wine and cheese, crackers and fruit also will be served during the 45-minute trips. […]

To read the entire article, please visit Lancaster Online.