Minnesota Zephyr

The Minnesota Zephyr is a heritage railroad operating out of Stillwater, Minnesota. It operates as a dinner train and serves a five-course, white linen dinner on a six-mile route, traveling between four and seven miles per hour.^[1] Power is provided by an EMD FP7 locomotive.^[2] The rolling stock consists of five restored dining cars. The train travels along the St. Croix River bluffs, then turns westward and follows a stream. The trip lasts about three and a half hours.^[3]

On September 18, 2008, owner David Paradeau stated that the train would cease operation at the end of the year, becoming a stationary restaurant serving dinner along with the adjacent Stillwater Grill. Paradeau cited the desire to retire, as well as a downturn in business and a $1.6 million loss within the last two years. Paradeau had hoped to sell the railroad right of way to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to be converted to a rail trail that would connect Stillwater to the Gateway State Trail system. That deal did not materialize, however, so Paradeau is planning to sell the land piecemeal to adjoining landowners. The train has had close to a million riders during the last 23 years.^[1]

On September 10th 2010 the Minnesota DNR expressed renewed interest in and laid out plans for the Minnesota Zephyr ^[4]

The Minnesota Zephyr idling at its depot just north of downtown Stillwater

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Shah, Allie (2008-08-18). "Dinner train will become stationary restaurant". Minneapolis Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/local/east/28634069.html. Retrieved 2008-08-19. 
2. ^ "Railroad Club at the Univ of MN". http://www.tc.umn.edu/~rrclubum/mnz.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-19. ^{[dead link]}
3. ^ "Minnesota Zephyr". Explore Minnesota. http://www.exploreminnesota.com/listing.aspx?EntityId=8798&showfrm=true. Retrieved 2008-09-19. 
4. ^ Carew, Emma (2010-09-10). "DNR plans to buy Minnesota Zephyr railbed". Minneapolis Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/local/east/102667789.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUZ.