GONE-Minnesota Zephyr - Stillwater, Minnesota
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 45° 03.698 W 092° 48.366
15T E 515265 N 4989815
Former dinner train in Stillwater, Minnesota. Now located in Iowa.
Waymark Code: WM6Q76
Location: Minnesota, United States
Date Posted: 07/06/2009
Views: 3
"The Minnesota Zephyr is a heritage railroad operating out of Stillwater, Minnesota. It operates as a dinner train and serves a five-course, white linen dinner on a six-mile route, traveling between four and seven miles per hour. Power is provided by an EMD FP7 locomotive. The rolling stock consists of five restored dining cars. The train travels along the St. Croix River bluffs, then turns westward and follows a stream. The trip lasts about three and a half hours.
On September 18, 2008, owner David Paradeau stated that the train would cease operation at the end of the year, becoming a stationary restaurant serving dinner along with the adjacent Stillwater Grill. Paradeau cited the desire to retire, as well as a downturn in business and a $1.6 million loss within the last two years. Paradeau had hoped to sell the railroad right of way to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to be converted to a rail trail that would connect Stillwater to the Gateway State Trail system. That deal did not materialize, however, so Paradeau is planning to sell the land piecemeal to adjoining landowners. The train has had close to a million riders during the last 23 years." - Wikipedia
Visit Instructions:
To post a visit log to this waymark you need to visit and write about the actual physical location. Any pictures you take at the location would be great, as well.