Shasta Sunset Dinner Train

Link suggestions feature: 2 links added. ← Previous revision Revision as of 11:10, 8 June 2026 Line 21: Line 21: === Inauguration === === Inauguration === In June 1996, the Shasta Sunset Dinner Train started service with the two renovated passenger cars serving Saturday nights. The new operation got a huge boost almost immediately when Malcolm Glover, a McCloud native who had become a popular reporter in [[San Francisco]], penned a glowing review of the dinner train in one of the [[SF Gate|city's papers]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=McCloud River Railroad - Passenger Operations: Shasta Sunset Dinner Train|url=http://mccloudriverrailroad.com/PassengerOperations/DinnerTrain.htm|access-date=2021-08-26|website=mccloudriverrailroad.com}}</ref> In the article, Glover, writing for the San Francisco Gate, stated, "In two beautifully renovated 1916 passenger / diner cars, guests are treated to a four-course dinner served on tables covered with white linen tablecloths, china plates and sterling silver settings. Lace valances decorate the windows, which offer outstanding views as the train winds its way through the forest".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Glover|first=Malcolm|date=1996-08-04|title=Mount Shasta Sunset train bound for glory|url=https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Mount-Shasta-Sunset-train-bound-for-glory-3131373.php|access-date=2021-08-26|website=SFGATE|language=en-US}}</ref> The railroad almost immediately purchased three more cars, two more former Illinois Central heavyweights and a former Milwaukee Road coach; the heavyweights allowed the dinner train to expand from one to four cars within a year, and the railroad installed a generator to provide house power, a small gift shop, and a lounge area in the former Milwaukee car.<ref name=":0" /> By 1998, the dinner train was so popular that the railroad bought more Illinois Central passenger cars, one of which the railroad converted into a depot for the dinner train while the shops rebuilt the other two into state of the art dancing cars.<ref name=":0" /> The train had the railroad's open air passenger cars attached to the train during the summer months and the all heavyweight consist during the winter due to the snowy weather in and around [[Mount Shasta|Mt. Shasta]].<ref name=":0"/> In June 1996, the Shasta Sunset Dinner Train started service with the two renovated passenger cars serving Saturday nights. The new operation got a huge boost almost immediately when Malcolm Glover, a McCloud native who had become a popular reporter in [[San Francisco]], penned a glowing review of the dinner train in one of the [[SF Gate|city's papers]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=McCloud River Railroad - Passenger Operations: Shasta Sunset Dinner Train|url=http://mccloudriverrailroad.com/PassengerOperations/DinnerTrain.htm|access-date=2021-08-26|website=mccloudriverrailroad.com}}</ref> In the article, Glover, writing for the San Francisco Gate, stated, "In two beautifully renovated 1916 passenger / diner cars, guests are treated to a four-course dinner served on tables covered with white linen tablecloths, china plates and [[sterling silver]] settings. Lace valances decorate the windows, which offer outstanding views as the train winds its way through the forest".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Glover|first=Malcolm|date=1996-08-04|title=Mount Shasta Sunset train bound for glory|url=https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Mount-Shasta-Sunset-train-bound-for-glory-3131373.php|access-date=2021-08-26|website=SFGATE|language=en-US}}</ref> The railroad almost immediately purchased three more cars, two more former Illinois Central heavyweights and a former [[Milwaukee Road]] coach; the heavyweights allowed the dinner train to expand from one to four cars within a year, and the railroad installed a generator to provide house power, a small gift shop, and a lounge area in the former Milwaukee car.<ref name=":0" /> By 1998, the dinner train was so popular that the railroad bought more Illinois Central passenger cars, one of which the railroad converted into a depot for the dinner train while the shops rebuilt the other two into state of the art dancing cars.<ref name=":0" /> The train had the railroad's open air passenger cars attached to the train during the summer months and the all heavyweight consist during the winter due to the snowy weather in and around [[Mount Shasta|Mt. Shasta]].<ref name=":0"/> After the expansion in passenger cars, the dinner train ran more frequently with Thursday and Friday nights in the summer. At certain times during the year, the railroad would also have a theme to some of the dinner trains like western music or melodrama. The dinner train also ran Mother's Day, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, and 4th of July trains.<ref name=":0"/> The Shasta Sunset Dinner Train's revenue was the greatest asset to the McCloud Railway. This was because of the declining revenue of freight trains and the little money made from the steam excursions with [[McCloud Railway 25|McCloud River Railroad #25]] and [[McCloud Railway 18|McCloud River Railroad #18]] in addition with the diesel locomotives hauling some of the other excursions.<ref name=":0"/> After the expansion in passenger cars, the dinner train ran more frequently with Thursday and Friday nights in the summer. At certain times during the year, the railroad would also have a theme to some of the dinner trains like western music or melodrama. The dinner train also ran Mother's Day, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, and 4th of July trains.<ref name=":0"/> The Shasta Sunset Dinner Train's revenue was the greatest asset to the McCloud Railway. This was because of the declining revenue of freight trains and the little money made from the steam excursions with [[McCloud Railway 25|McCloud River Railroad #25]] and [[McCloud Railway 18|McCloud River Railroad #18]] in addition with the diesel locomotives hauling some of the other excursions.<ref name=":0"/>