CHEHALIS TRAIN FIELD GUIDE
A Toast of Green on the Tracks: St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Train through the Chehalis River Valley
A vintage 2-hour round trip on a 1920s dining car that pairs an Irish-inspired multicourse dinner with slow, scenic travel through the Chehalis River Valley — essential planning details and what to expect are collected here.
A Toast of Green on the Tracks: St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Train through the Chehalis River Valley.
Board a restored 1920s dining car in Chehalis for a two-hour round trip that threads the Chehalis River Valley and pauses at a former railstop near Boistfort/Curtis, all while an Irish-inspired multicourse dinner is served at table seating arranged for groups of four.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Vintage dining car and relaxing cadence
The slow clickety-clack of the tracks and vintage 1920s coaches set a nostalgic tone for the evening, letting conversation and the passing valley scenery take center stage as dinner is served at your table.
Irish-inspired multicourse dinner
The excursion features a multicourse, St. Patrick’s Day–themed menu prepared by Joy’s Once Upon a Thyme, with choices that include a classic Irish stew or a Portobello mushroom (vegan) stew, plus salad, roll and dessert, and nonalcoholic beverages.
Chehalis River Valley and the Ruth turn
The round trip runs nine miles west of Chehalis to the former railstop at Ruth near Boistfort/Curtis, offering pastoral river-valley views on a leisurely out-and-back route.
What the day feels like
What the evening feels like
You arrive at the Chehalis-Centralia depot, board a restored 1920s dining car, and settle at a table of four while the train eases out of the station. Over two hours you travel west to Ruth and back, the staff serves a prepared Irish-inspired multicourse dinner and beverages, and the gentle rhythm of the rails shapes the pace of the evening.
THE RIDE
Vintage dining car and relaxing cadence
The slow clickety-clack of the tracks and vintage 1920s coaches set a nostalgic tone for the evening, letting conversation and the passing valley scenery take center stage as dinner is served at your table.
THE MEAL
Irish-inspired multicourse dinner
The excursion features a multicourse, St. Patrick’s Day–themed menu prepared by Joy’s Once Upon a Thyme, with choices that include a classic Irish stew or a Portobello mushroom (vegan) stew, plus salad, roll and dessert, and nonalcoholic beverages.
THE SCENERY
Chehalis River Valley and the Ruth turn
The round trip runs nine miles west of Chehalis to the former railstop at Ruth near Boistfort/Curtis, offering pastoral river-valley views on a leisurely out-and-back route.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who should book—and who should plan differently.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The special St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Train departs at 5:00 p.m. and returns around 7:00 p.m.; reservations and seat selections must be made online a minimum of six days before departure, and the operator limits the ride to 100 passengers.
Bring your reservation confirmation and plan for an evening out; free parking is available at the depot and accessible parking and a loading ramp are provided.
Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure; the train will not wait more than five minutes beyond the scheduled time, so allow extra time for traffic and arrive at least 30 minutes early.
The depot is about two hours from Seattle or Portland; a unique approach is to arrive in Centralia by Amtrak and drive 6 miles to the Chehalis depot—follow Exit 77 off I-5 to Riverside Drive and head south to Sylvenus Street.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the dinner train experience?
The round-trip excursion lasts approximately two hours.
When does the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Train depart and return?
This special excursion departs the depot at 5:00 p.m. with a return expected at 7:00 p.m.
What does the meal include and are there vegetarian options?
Two menu options are offered: a classic Irish stew or a Portobello mushroom (vegan) stew, each served with an Irish bistro salad, artisan roll and a Funfetti cupcake with green cream cheese frosting; beverages include lemonade, coffee and water.
How much does the experience cost and is parking available?
The full experience is $79 per person and free parking is provided at the depot.
Where is the departure depot located?
The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Depot is located at 1101 SW Sylvenus Street, Chehalis, WA 98532 (Exit 77 on I-5).
Are there accessibility accommodations?
Yes—the operator provides ADA-accessible parking and an accessible ramp to the loading platform.
How far in advance must I reserve, and is seating limited?
Reservations must be made at least six days before departure; seating choices and tickets are reserved online, tables seat four, and the ride is limited to 100 persons and tends to sell out.