Saturday - Aug 11, 2007 - Tacoma

We have seen various advertisements during our travels for train rides that serve meals, go through spectacular scenery, and in general offer a different kind of adventure. Different in that there are very few billboards and McDonalds along train tracks.

The Spirit of Washington Dinner Train; a 3-hour run, south and east from Tacoma to Lake Kapowsin. We opted for the lunch run instead of the evening meal because it would be light the entire trip. We also tried to get a table in one of the domed cars but they were all booked. There were three domed cars and three “regular” dining cars. There was also an “open-air” car where you could stand and watch scenery; I’m sure it was also provided for the smokers. Finally there were two diesel locomotives – one at each end.

We left promptly at noon and wound our way south from Tacoma through the back-yards of a lot of folks! Not the most scenic part of the trip! Then past a number of farms / ranches; through woods; and arrived a Lake Kapowsin. I believe the long-range plan is for the train to go further but the tracks / road-bed needs repair / upgrading. So we stopped for about 10 minutes, and then went back along the same tracks we came up on. As a result, you ride backwards for half the trip; then forward the other half. Even though we thought we “experienced” train-riders from our days living in Japan, we found the backwards part of the trip somewhat tiring.

We were seated at a table for four (the few tables for two were all booked) and joined by two young ladies from Kent, WA, who had decided to do some touristy things. Having lived all there lives in the area, they had never been to many of the attractions. Both were attending a local junior college.

Train boarding was 45 minutes before departure. Wine and various mixed drinks were available for purchase, so we had a glass of Chardonnay – appropriately labeled: Spirit of Washington. There were rolls on the table and three whipped spreads: butter, salmon, and cream cheese chives.

After we were rolling, we were served salads, fruit cups, and the main course. Dessert was served during the return trip. Margaret had chosen crab cakes and I had salmon. The salmon was prepared with a cherry glaze and topped with ginger slices – fairly tasty. The crab cakes were topped with a pepper puree(?) – Margaret gave them a low grade; edible but not particularly good. But she is a crab cake connoisseur.

Service was excellent with five waiters per car plus various attendants for water, clean-up, and a full-time barkeep.

The cars themselves were in reasonably good condition, given their age. We were never able to find out how old they are, but I expect they are at least 30 years old, maybe older. There was some paint scratches on the overhead luggage racks and some of the wall-paper had peeling spots, but overall the effect was quite nice.

As the trip progressed we regretted not being able to book a table in one of the dome cars. We had an opportunity to walk through them while we were stopped at the lake and the feeling of openness was quite nice. Maybe another time.

Last night was pizza night; the first real pizza we’ve had since leaving Florida. A real treat.