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By
Denise McCluggage
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American
Orient Express
on the Pacific Coast
photo: courtesy of AOE
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Think
cruise ship. On
land.
On
shining rails that crisscross the continent affording
scenes of snow-capped mountains, deep-forested canyons
threaded with glinting rivers. Or intimate close-ups of
crops in rows and old barns, county-seat courthouse squares
and barbecue backyards of city suburbs. And the thrumming
heart of great cities.
So
think cruise train. And, like cruise ships with ports
of call featuring guided land tours of historic sights
and scenic wonders. And shopping time for those of us
thus driven.
Think retro luxury recalling the passenger rail heyday
when sleek Streamliners with evocative names like 20th
Century Limited, Santa Fe Super Chief, Burlington Zephyr
were the preferred mode of Point A-to-B-ing.
Dinner
in the dinah, nothing could be finah….
Think meticulously restored rail cars with interiors of
polished mahogany inlaid with lighter woods. A domed car,
a club car with baby grand piano and sink-into armchairs,
a boat-tailed observation car with comfortable, clubby
seating. Bars of course. Dining cars aglow with lustrous
brass, shining silver on snowy napery. Fresh flowers.
Gleaming crystal. Signature china in royal blue, cream
and gold (the train's exterior color scheme.) Capable,
attentive service. Superior meals of inventive preparation
with the soul of a chef in evidence. What wine tonight?
| During
the day as you pass through the idle dining cars you
might catch a glimpse of the intense young chef and
cohorts rapt in planning sessions. They treat their
restaurant on rails as if it were a side-street eatery
in the city on the brink of discovery. |
Lucius
Beebe never had it better in his private rail car.
Think this and more and you've thought up the American
Orient Express.
American
Orient Express (hereafter AOE) in its present manifestation
is a relatively new (1997) and certainly innovative approach
to travel which allows passengers to sample the elegance
of rail travel as it was half a century ago while experiencing
the country in a manner denied by high-flying jets and
high-speed Interstates. (CONTINUE...)
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