Photos courtesy of Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
The historic Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad is located two hours northeast of the Twin Cities in Trego, Wisconsin. The railroad features varnished wooden interior dining, plus sleeping and lounge cars built during the Golden Age of travel in the early 20th century. They are well-known as the home of one-of-a-kind experience, the Bed & Breakfast Dinner Train.The Bed & Breakfast Dinner Train operates each Tuesday through Saturday evening through Christmas. Guests board the train at 5 p.m. and get settled into their luxury bedroom. Guests have a choice of a 1914 railroad presidents car with mahogany interior, 3/4 size beds in the three guest rooms, and that open back platform that is famous from the movies and old news reels. Or, guests may choose the new Sleeper Deluxe, a completely rebuilt car from the 1950s that features queen-size beds in the three bedrooms.
Both cars have toilet, sink, and shower within each bedroom. Once guests have stowed their suitcases, they move to the dining car for the 5:30 p.m. departure and the beginning of the four-course chef-prepared meal. Cocktails are available from the bar, and friendly servers will attend to guests needs during the two-and-a-half-hour roundtrip through the northwoods.
The scenery changes during the trip, and guests will see deep woods and farm fields, cross several streams, and park briefly overlooking the Namekagon River. Upon return to the station, guests may play cards in the lounge, sit around the gas fire on the outdoor patio, or just kick back and tell train stories to fellow passengers.
After a night’s sleep on the train, guests are treated to a hot breakfast in the dining car to end their experience. With only six rooms, the train sells out every night, so reservations are a must.
The Original Wisconsin Wine & Cheese Train operates every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and features a tasting of four Wisconsin-produced wines and a variety of Wisconsin cheeses. The train gives guests an incredible view from the second floor of the only glass-topped Sky Parlour in regular service.The most popular family-oriented train, the Family Pizza Train, has been improved this season, with all of the pizzas made onboard the train in the kitchen of the dining car. Each guest receives a personal pizza in their choice of sausage, pepperoni, or cheese and each guest can choose a soda or water. This family favorite runs Tuesday through Saturday at noon until August 20, then continues on Saturdays through the end of October.The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad spent the past two years rebuilding four of its dining cars into private compartments that give groups of two to six people a fully enclosed private room with big picture window. Unlike other trains across the world that practice “Railroad Seating” whereby every seat is filled, often by parties that do not know each other, the new “Private Dining” gives Elegant Dinner Train guests a private atmosphere like none other.
Coming in November and December is the Santa Pizza Train, featuring fresh baked pizza and a chance to visit Santa’s private car and have your picture taken in a real sleigh.Tickets are available online at spoonertrainride.com or by phone at 715-635-3200.
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