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The train arrives quietly, its blue and yellow paint bringing much-needed color to an otherwise gray and blustery day in central Michigan. Spring is battling the remains of a tough winter, the air tinged with the scent of fresh-cut grass although most trees aren't yet brandishing leaves.

It's just before the maiden run of the Mountain Town Limited Dinner Train and employees of the Mountain Town Station restaurant, located in downtown Mount Pleasant, are loading ice-packed containers into the cars in preparation for the four-course meal we'll soon be sampling.

The restaurant and brewery, in operation as such since 1996, is housed in the renovated historic Mount Pleasant Railroad Depot building, so a dinner train operating from here seems like a natural progression. And it's not just any dinner train; this one is luxurious in feel with its silver art deco-themed dining car and white linen-clad tables.

Interior of Dinner Train

In fact, after we've boarded the train and it starts clickety-clacking its way down the track, I feel as if I'm transported back in time. In my mind I see frantic handkerchief waving and teary goodbyes; out the window, however, is the sprawling campus of Central Michigan University, home to around 20,000 students.

The servers start us off with a beverage (sodas, wine and beer are available) before dazzling us with our appetizer, asparagus wrapped with proscuitto and drizzled with asiago cheese sauce. It is tender, flavorful and the perfect portion.

Just as we venture further into the countryside of central Michigan, our salads arrive - fresh field greens with sliced Roma tomatoes and chunks of mozzarella. The accompanying balsamic vinaigrette is perfectly balanced, complementing the salad beautifully.

Next are the entrees, of which we delighted in the task of sampling a bit of each. (CONTINUE...)

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