March 11th, 2016 by WCBC Radio
In the heyday of train travel before the interstate highway system was constructed, America’s passenger railroads hung their hats on the reputation of their dining and hospitality services. As the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad opens their 27th season as Maryland’s premiere operating railroad attraction, they are following in the tracks of the famous B&O dining car experience by upgrading lounge car and dining options out of their Cumberland hub.
“Service counted in those days,” WMSR Superintendant John Garner shared. “As we planned this season, our team took a look at trains like the B&O’s famous Capitol Limited back in the 50s.” What they realized, Garner said, was that their operation had the rolling stock to offer similar experiences in comfortable lounge cars and dining cars with rolling kitchens to prepare meals on the move. As a result, WMSR’s 2016 mainstays, daytime “Mountain Limited” experiences and nighttime “ Evening Paradise” runs, will feature new dining and lounge car options – including white tie service dinner on the evening trains.
The 2016 schedule at the railroad’s wmsr.com website is also filled with more holiday events and children’s trains than in previous seasons. Dinner trains to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, as well as shorter one hour round trip Easter Bunny Hops to City Junction are on the schedule in March.
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