NORTH CREEK, N.Y. – Hugging the Hudson River for most of the journey, the Saratoga and North Creek Railway's (SNCRR) trains have offered unique views of the Adirondacks for the past five years.
"It's a way to view the Adirondacks in a way that is really not accessible any other way than by rail travel," said railway general manager Justin Gonyo. "The views are spectacular. You can see bald eagles, you can see wild animals."
Starting in late May, passengers will be afforded an entirely new on-board fine dining experience.
"It's a brand-new service that we are starting this year,” Gonyo said. “It’s called The Pullman Table. We are looking to mirror it after the Napa Valley Wine Train."
On a three-hour journey from Saratoga to Thurman and back, up to 300 riders will fill the railway's refurbished 1950s dome car and its two trailing compartments, to be served a gourmet meal and wine.
"It's not your normal dining experience,” Gonyo said. “It's something that you are going to remember and something you're going to want to do again."
The exact menu has not been set, but most of the food and wine will be coming from local farms and merchants. Mike Spiak's Fossil Stone Vineyard in Greenfield Center will provide two varieties -- a red Marquette and white La Crescent -- in specially made bottles featuring SNCRR’s logo and color scheme.
"The train runs right by our farm, so it doesn't get any more local than that,” Spiak said. “We've got the train basically in my backyard carrying our wine, so I think that's pretty unique."
With automobiles and airplanes outpacing trains as the most common forms of travel, railway managers hope the service will take passengers back to a more simple time.
"It is a throwback and it's very unique," Spiak said.
"It does give you time to pause, step back and see what luxury travel really meant when it was available to just about everybody," Gonyo said.
Depending on the day, the Pullman Table trains will serve brunch, lunch or dinner. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Saratoga and North Creek Railway’s website.