2025 SVL Dinner Trains

Of the six legacy railroads that built our state, the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe gets the most credit for its impact on Kansas agribusiness and the communities that it served. The Santa Fe was a Kansas company, and its pioneering railroad services are legendary. One of those innovations was railroad dining. Kansan Fred Harvey of Leavenworth built a series of “Harvey Houses” to feed hungry passengers, and later, when dining cars became a standard feature on Santa Fe passenger trains, the dining cars were well known for quality food. On Saturday, October 18, the A&SV Dining Car Heritage Series fondly recalls the ATSF and its dining car innovations with our recreation of a menu from the Santa Fe Super Chief, a train that once crossed the Sunflower State. Lucinda’s Katering of Abilene is recreating a 1940s menu item: classic roast beef with mashed potatoes and brown gravy, string beans, tossed salad and rolls and butter, with apple pie for dessert. Iced tea and water will be available. Our train leaves Abilene’s historic Rock Island Depot at 6:00 p.m. for a two-hour air-conditioned train ride through the Smoky Hill River Valley. Join us on the A&SV Smoky Valley Limited as your Kansas Heritage Railroad presents another taste of Kansas railroad history!