Prior to Boarding

Most trips begin at the railroad's handsome downtown Napa station, located at 1275 McKinstry Street, and normally include wine tastings, brief seminars on what to look for in fine wines and a brief discussion on the history of the Valley. Schuyler frequently mingles with guests, and has met a number of celebrities before they boarded the Wine Train, including Joe Montana, the ex-San Francisco 49er quarterback, Herb Caen, the well-known, now-deceased columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, and Fess Parker, famous for playing Daniel Boone on TV, but who also is now in the California wine business, although based in Santa Barbara.

The wines sampled at the station are typically from Napa's boutique wineries. "Passengers have the unique opportunity to learn first-hand from Wine Train experts about wine pairing and wine production, the history of the Napa Valley and the Wine Train itself," says Brent Trojan, the Wine Train's wine buyer and educator.

Trojan says that "Passengers can purchase the wines they sample in the Wine Emporium or order them onboard the train." Additionally, a variety of gifts, including HO and even G-scale versions of the FPA-4 and several of the passenger cars are available for sale in the station's gift stores. Prior to boarding the train, a photographer takes each passenger's photo, which is available for purchase after the ride returns back to the station, usually about three hours after departing.

The Napa Valley Wine Train is a chance to experience railroad dining like it was in the golden age of streamliners, or simply railfan beautiful forty-year-old Alcos in action. Definitely worth visiting when in Northern California!