Boone Rail Excursion Trip: Ride the Historic Iowa rails

The previously announced special charter train excursion on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad (BSVRR) on Thursday, October 19, 2023.has sold out in less than two weeks, but don’t despair if you haven’t yet mailed in a registration! Your Board’s travel committee has been working to resolve a growing wait list for the fall trip and is pleased to announce that registration is now open for an identical day trip to Boone on Monday, October 16. Motorcoach departure from the Quad-City Times Davenport parking lot will be at 7:00am on Monday morning, October 16, and will return to Davenport by 7:00pm. Club members that have already mailed reservation requests for the October 19 trip and were placed on a wait list will be contacted to discuss their availability to travel on the alternative date of Monday, October 16.

If you haven’t yet mailed a reservation request and desire to book this tour for the newly added date of Monday, October 16, Click HERE to view, print, complete and send in your reservation request for the Monday, October 16 day trip so that it is postmarked on or before September 13. Reservations are processed in postmark order until the tour fills or the registration deadline passes, whichever occurs first. Call or text John at 309-738-6826 if you have questions or need registration assistance.

You’ll enjoy lunch on the rails as you travel through the beautiful Des Moines River Valley in climate controlled comfort aboard the historic “City of San Francisco” or “City of Los Angeles” dining cars. The diesel-powered train crosses the 156’ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, the highest single-track interurban railroad bridge in the United States. After passing through the old coal mining town of Fraser, the lunch train climbs its way back out of the river valley as you make your way across some of Iowa’s rich farmland to the end of the line.

Before boarding the train for a Noon departure, a local docent will provide a walk-through 11:00am tour of the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum, a beautiful 9,000 sq. ft. facility housing more than 4,000 rare and unusual railroad artifacts, featuring a research library, theater and memorabilia from all eras of railroading in Iowa. With its extensive collection, there is something of interest for everyone.

The cost of the trip is only $142 per person which includes roundtrip deluxe restroom-equipped motorcoach transportation between Davenport and Boone, Iowa, admission to the railroad museum, the 2-hour train excursion, and on-board catered lunch. Unfortunately, due to the historic nature of the cars, they are not handicapped accessible. You must be able to board and disembark both the chartered motorcoach and the railroad cars via the coach steps.

The lunch menu consists of your choice of entrée: Hamburger, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwich or Vegetarian Mac & Cheese. Provided sides are Cole Slaw and Potato Chips. The chef’s choice for dessert is usually a brownie & ice cream. Included beverage choices are water, soda, lemonade, iced tea, or coffee. Beer and wine adult beverages are available for purchase.