The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

• Parking: large gravel parking lot
• Bathroom: yes, at the station and on the dinner train
• Customer service: great
• Website: https://essexsteamtrain.com/

My experience: Saturday, September 19, 2020

There are a few different available excursions including dinner train, rail bike, and cruise and the riverboat. We went on the dinner train this evening.

Book early! We wanted to book mid-August at the beginning of the month, but the food options we desired were sold out. Some of the menu is seasonal. After booking the dinner train, I received an email receipt and then later a reminder email with further information. Boarding is a half-hour before departure and they are taking the necessary COVID precautions. These precautions did not take away from the experience at all, as we were able to remover our masks once the train was boarded. It was nice, because there weren’t any tables on the opposite side of the train.

The whole experience was wonderful. The servers were great. Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) were available for purchase. Non-sweetened iced tea, water, and coffee were complimentary. The first course consisted of carrots, celery, olives, green and yellow peppers, and a delicious dip. The second course was salad. For the third and main course, I ordered duck, which came with rice and broccoli. All of that was very good! My husband ordered the prime rib, which came with potatoes and broccoli. Unfortunately, the prime rib was overcooked. The fourth course was a choice of chocolate cheesecake or apple cobbler cheesecake. We, of course, got one of each. Both were amazing!

On the way up to Goodspeed, the train goes rather slowly, but the scenery is beautiful! There are occasional houses and towns, but also forests, estuaries, and rivers. There are so many great photo ops! Occasionally throughout the ride, the conductor gave a great commentary about the area along the route, as well as some history. The first three courses were served on the way north. On the return trip, dessert, coffee, and tea were served. We followed the same tracks on the way back, so we went a bit faster. The view was still amazing since it was during sunset.

It was a lovely evening spent with my husband on a unique adventure. I definitely recommend the dinner train!

“Be like a train; go in the rain, go in the sun, go in the storm, go in the dark tunnels! Be like a train; concentrate on your road and go with no hesitation!”

― Mehmet Murat ildan