Frequently Asked Questions
Pricing Information
- How much does it cost to ride the dinner train?
- What does the price include?
- Can I pay for my tickets when I get there, or do I need to pay in advance?
- Do you offer group pricing?
- Are senior citizen discounts available?
- Can we put our gratuity on our credit card after the meal is served?
Schedule & Reservations
- Do you run year round?
- Do I need to make a reservation?
- Can children ride the train?
- How are seats reserved?
- Do you have booth seating?
- Can a table be reserved for just the two of us?
- Can you accommodate parties larger than 4?
- What is your cancellation policy?
Dinner Menu & Beverage Information
- What is on the menu?
- Are vegetarian meals offered?
- When do I have to let you know my meal selection?
- Will the meals be prepared on the cars?
- Is there a bar on the train?
- What sort of selections are available from the bar?
- Can we bring our own wine or liquor?
Arrival & Boarding
About the Ride
- Where does the train go?
- How long is the excursion?
- How fast will the train go?
- Does the train stop anywhere along the route?
- Are there restrooms on the train?
- Is the train air conditioned and/or heated?
- Is smoking permitted on board?
- Can I travel between the rail cars?
- Are pets allowed?
About our Equipment
How much does it cost to ride the dinner train?
The cost is $74.50 per person (including tax). Gratuity not included.
top
What does the price include?
The Price includes a four course meal, as well as the unique experience and scenery.
top
Can I pay for my tickets when I get there, or do I need to pay in advance?
Payment is due in advance at the time of your reservation. We accept Master Card, Visa, Discover, and American Express. Sorry, we cannot accept checks.
top
Do you offer group pricing?
We give a 10% discount for groups of 8 or more. Gratuity of 15% will be added to groups of 8 or more.
Remember, if you make a reservation for eight or more, and receive the applicable 10% discount and then one or more people cancel prior to the dinner train ride bringing your party to less than eight, you WILL THEN BE subject to the regular price. Your discount will no longer apply since you would then have a reservation for less than eight. We know this seems like common sense but believe it or not, we do occasionally get people who do not understand this concept, thus making it necessary to outline the policy here.
top
Are senior citizen discounts available?
Sorry, we currently do not offer senior citizen discounts.
top
Can we put our gratuity on our credit card after the meal is served?
Yes, it is possible to put your gratuity on a credit card after the meal is served. Gratuity of 15% equals $10.50 per person. Gratuity of 18% equals $12.60 per person.
Gratuity of 20% equals $13.99 per person. These suggested gratuities do not include purchases from the Bar Car.
top
Do you run year around?
Yes, the Dinner Train will be running Saturdays through the entire year.
top
Do I need to make a reservation?
Advance reservation and payment are highly recommended for those who want to be guaranteed a ticket. Tickets are sold on a first come basis, and trips often sell out in advance. Occasionally, we will have cancellations, or no-shows. In this event, we are able to accept last minute walk-up guests with full payment via cash or credit card. However, availability cannot be guaranteed for walk-up guests.
top
Can children ride the train?
Yes, children 12 and older are permitted. However, there is one menu available for all ages, and the cost for children is the same as an adult.
top
How are seats reserved?
Seating will be made by our staff based on availability at the time of your reservation. Guests are able to request a specific table if that table is still available at time of booking. Simply call us at 513-791-7245.
Do you have booth seating?
The majority of our tables have four dining chairs. We do have a small number of tables with a booth on one side of the table which allows for side by side seating. These are at the rear of the dining car. Also available are a few tables with booth seating on one side of the table and two dining chairs on the other side. All tables offer a view of the scenery on route. If interested in a table with a booth, please give us a call at 513-791-RAIL (7245). Our dining chairs and booths have cushioned vinyl seats to be equally comfortable for all guests.
top
Can a table be reserved for just the two of us?
If available seating allows for your own table, you can pay for an additional ticket at the $69.95 cost. This will ensure no one else is seated at your table. Please contact us before making your reservations at 513-791-RAIL(7245) or by email info@cincinnatirailway.com.
top
Can you accommodate parties larger than 4?
Yes, we can accommodate parties larger than 4. The majority of our tables only seat 4, and we will do our best to seat everyone as close together as possible. Seating will depend on the availability, and parties larger than 4 will be split between tables.
top
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations for a full refund are permitted up to 3 days prior to the trip's departure. Cancellations can be made after this deadline, but will not receive a refund. Any cancellation can be rescheduled to another available trip.
top
What is offered on the menu?
We offer a couple of options for menu choices. These can be found on our menu page. You will be asked for your entrée selection(s) when you make your reservation. Please note, that meals are not prepared on board to order, so we cannot change your menu selection on the day of your scheduled departure.
top
Are vegetarian meals offered?
Yes, we can offer vegetarian meals. Please call 513-791-RAIL(7245) or email us at info@cincinnatirailway.com for more information.
top
When do I have to let you know my meal selection?
Meal selections are required at the time of reservation. If for some reason you need additional time, we can accept changes and selections no later than 11am on Friday, the day before your ride. If we do not have your selection, we will put your reservation down for our chicken in white wine sauce with the dessert based on availability.
top
Will the meals be prepared on the cars?
All food will be prepared at our kitchen, which is near the vicinity of the boarding and departure location. This is how we are able to serve our meals fresh out of the oven.
top
Is there a bar on the train?
Yes, a full bar is available in our bar car before, and during the Dinner Train excursion. Cash is the preferred method of payment, however, we can accept credit cards.
top
What sort of selections are available from the bar?
The bar offers a wide variety of beers, wines, and cocktails. Wine can be purchased either by the glass, or by the bottle. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at any time throughout the trip.
top
Can we bring our own wine or liquor?
Due to the terms of our liquor license, outside alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.
top
Is there a dress code?
The dress code is business casual. We highly recommend wearing closed toed shoes with low heals for safety purposes when boarding the train, and walking between cars. Guests are strongly discouraged from wearing high heels, or sandaled shoes.
top
Where do we board and pick up tickets?
For our regularly scheduled Dinner Train departures, boarding is located next to the Barbecue Review located at 4725 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227. Tickets can be picked up at our booth just outside the train.
top
Are you handicap accessible?
Due to the nature of our railcars, our handicap accessibility is limited. We are able to accommodate some narrow wheelchairs and walkers; however, guests must be able to negotiate the steps for boarding.
To board the train, guests must step up onto a step box approximately 8-10" above the ground, then step up to the first step on the car, which is approximately 6-8". Guests then will proceed up 4-5 individual steps that are approximately 6" high. There are handrails located next to the steps, and in the entry ways to the cars. Our staff will be on hand to assist guests as necessary.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 513-791-RAIL(7245) or info@cincinnatirailway.com
top
Where does the train go?
The train travels from the BBQ Revue on Madison Ave, and heads east to the riverfront, near Theodore Berry Park, just west of sawyer point. Here, our locomotive will do a run-around to move to the front of the train before make its way back to the BBQ Revue.
top
How long is the excursion?
The excursion is 18 miles round trip, and will last approximately 3 hours in length. The Cincinnati Dinner Train makes every effort to maintain its schedule, but reserves the right to alter schedules or equipment as operating conditions demand.
top
How fast will we go?
The train will travel approximately 10 mph.
top
Does the train stop anywhere along the route?
There are no stops along the route in which passengers are able to de-board the train. We will make a stop for the run around near Theadore Berry Park, and occasionally make a stop en route to give our passengers the chance to view significant sights.
top
Are there restrooms on the train?
Yes, there are separate restrooms for women and men located on board.
top
Is the train air conditioned and/or heated?
Yes, all Cincinnati Dinner Train cars have a climate controlled environment with the exception of the party bar car which only has heat. However, during warm weather the side doors of that car are open allowing both viewing and air flow in the car. Please keep in mind that the dining cars are over 60+ years old, and regulating the temperature to an exact degree is difficult. Cars tend to be more cool than hot, so if you are cold natured, you will want to dress accordingly.
top
Is smoking permitted on board the train?
Ohio state law dictates that we do not allow smoking anywhere on board our train. This includes in the restrooms and on the vestibules. If a person is caught smoking on board, the state has the ability to fine both the smoker, as well as the Cincinnati Dinner Train. We also enforce the no smoking rule for the comfort and safety of all passengers.
top
Can I travel between the rail cars?
Yes, guests can travel between the railcars, however, we do ask guests to refrain from walking thru the cars when entrees are being served.
Are pets allowed?
Sorry, pets are not allowed. Please contact us if you have questions about service animals at 513-791-RAIL(7245), or info@cincinnatirailway.com
top
What kind of engine will be pulling the train?
We usually have a 1960's era GP-30 Diesel Locomotive pulling the train. We will occasionally use different engines.
top
What kinds of rail cars are used?
The dinner train consists of a 1947 "Budd Built" New York Central Dining Car which can serve up to 48 people, and a 1947 American Car and Foundry table car which can serve up to 60 people. The third car is a 1955 converted baggage car that features a cash bar and two open side doors for viewing. Future plans include the addition of a fourth table/lounge car that will increase our serving capacity by 40 or more.
top
