All Aboard for Train-Lovers' B&B Specials

Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Train lovers consider Colorado's spectacular train rides among the world's best. The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Train, pulled by a coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive winds its way through the breath-taking canyons of the 2,000-acre San Juan National Forest on the same tracks miners, cowboys, and settlers of the old West took over a century ago. [Schedules have been reduced due to fire danger.]

Apple Orchard Inn - Durango, CO 05/11/02 - 10/31/02 - Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Train Package
Stay at the Apple Orchard Inn, chosen by The Denver Post as Colorado's best inn. Stay two nights in a lovely cottage and ride the train round trip for $450 for two people. Get an even better value by adding a third night of lodging in the same cottage for just $115 additional. (1-800-426-0751, http://www.appleorchardinn.com/)

The Wyman Hotel & Inn - Silverton, CO 05/12/02 - 10/28/02 - Ride the Train & Stay in the Caboose
After a night in one of Durango's best inns, ride the First Class Parlor Car of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. On arrival in Silverton, you'll be delighted with a stay at The Wyman Hotel & Inn, featured on the Travel Channel as the historic lodging in Silverton. Choose The Railroad Room, a deluxe king-bedded room with a two-person whirlpool or The Candlelight Caboose, a Southern Pacific caboose with an antique Spanish queen-size bed and a two-person whirlpool. Four nights for two, with breakfast and train ride included; rates starting at $850. (1-800-609-7845, http://www.thewyman.com/)

Two Sisters Inn - A Bed and Breakfast - Manitou Springs, CO 05/06/02 - 10/30/02 America The Beautiful Package
Begin with a warm welcome at the Two Sisters Inn, complete with an orientation to Manitou Springs, followed by a good night's sleep in preparation for your fantastic day on Pikes Peak. Wake up refreshed and ready for a scrumptious breakfast and then drive a mile to the train station for a round-trip ride with breath-taking views from the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak. This affordable package includes two nights' lodging, two creative full breakfasts, two tickets to ride Pike's Peak Cog Railway (the world's highest), two box lunches, and a souvenir, for $265-$315, excluding taxes -- that's under $135 ppdo. (1-800-274-7466, http://www.twosisinn.com/)

The Peck House - Empire, CO, 5/28/02 - 10/03/02 - Devil's Gate Train Package
Completed in 1884, the Devil's Gate is considered an engineering masterpiece. The rail line climbs more than 600 feet in elevation in just two miles, all while traversing some of Colorado's steepest canyon walls. The Peck House Train Package includes a room for one night in this historic 1862 hotel, tickets for the Georgetown-Silver Plume Narrow Gauge Loop Railroad featuring the Devil's Gate high bridge, tickets for the Lebanon Silver Mine Tour, dinner in the hotel's award-winning dining room and all taxes and tips. The package price ranges from $127-$296, depending on the room type chosen and number of people (two to four), another affordable choice for bargain hunting train lovers. (303-569-9870, http://www.thepeckhouse.com/)

Deacon Timothy Pratt Bed & Breakfast, Old Saybrook, CT. May - December 30, 2002 - Bed, Breakfast & Ride the Dinner Train.
Train lovers will enjoy two nights in a handsome room with private bath, canopy bed, fireplace and/or whirlpool tub, and elegant breakfast, plus a luxury dinner alongside the Connecticut River aboard the Essex Steam Train! Weekends $475; midweek $350.A second package includes your accommodations plus a 2 1/2 hour ride along the Connecticut River aboard the Essex Steam Train plus a transfer to a Riverboat for the last hour. Weekends $425; midweek $275. (1-860-395-1229, http://www.connecticut-bed-and-breakfast.com/)

River Park Inn - Green Cove Springs, FL "Railroad Museum & More Package" 06/21/02 - 12/31/02

Value-conscious train lovers will enjoy a two-night weekend stay at River Park Inn for $150, including a visit to the Railroad Museum, Train Depot and caboose, plus hot breakfasts and complimentary refreshments included. Enjoy a walking tour of Historic Green Cove Springs, Fl and explore the river front park, fishing pier and boat dock two antique shops, movie theater, outlet mall or nearby St. Augustine. (904-284-2994; http://www.riverparkinn.com/)

Misty Mountain Inn & Cottages - Blairsville, GA, "All Aboard Package" 05/28/02- 07/31/02
The "All Aboard" package travels the Southern Highroads Trail in northern Georgia and South Carolina. This three-night bed & breakfast package costs $365 (double occupancy, taxes and gratuities) and includes: Friday & Saturday nights at Misty Mountain Inn in Blairsville, GA; a ride aboard the vintage passenger cars on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway along the Tocca River from Blue Ridge, GA to the border towns of Cooperhill, TN and McCaysville, GA; and a one-hour tour of Misty Mountain Model Railroad, a 4,000 square foot display with 14 trains traveling a mile of track over 12 bridges, 4 trestles and through 15 tunnels. Then, begin or end your trip with a Sunday or Thursday night at Magnolia Manor in Westminster, SC and visit to Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls in nearby Walahalla. (706-745-4786, http://www.jwww.com/misty/)

Those traveling to Missouri are often reminded about the "Katy" railroad as they ride and hike the Katy Trail, the state's rails-to-trails path providing an appealing itinerary for inn-to-inn travel from St. Charles to Sedalia. For a full listing of inspected and approved B&B's along the Katy Trail, visit B&B Inns of Missouri at www.bbim.org, and click on "Inns On The Katy Trail" along the left bar.

When you stay at the Hermann Hill Vineyard & Inn (573-486-4455, http://www.hermannhill.com/), not only will you enjoy a taste of the locally-produced wine, but you can arrive and depart by train, as Amtrak offers service directly to this lovely town, renowned for its wonderful vineyards and access to the Katy Trail.

Dana Place Inn - Jackson, NH, 9/22/02 - 10/28/02 - Train Lovers Foliage Package
Not only will you be able to view renowned White Mountain fall foliage at this historic country inn at the base of Mount Washington, but you will enjoy a foliage tour aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad. This special package includes two nights lodging, full country breakfast and dinner by candlelight daily, afternoon tea, plus a picnic lunch and train tickets on the Conway Scenic Railroad. Rates $319 to $429 per couple, plus tax and gratuity. (Available only Sunday - Thursday 9/22/02 through 10/17/02, thereafter weekends are included). For those who really want a rail experience, enjoy any of the five train attractions within a 45-minute drive of the Dana Place Inn, including the first mountain-climbing Cog Railway, to the top of Mount Washington. (1-800-537-9276, http://www.danaplace.com/)

The Noble House - Marietta, PA, Mid-May - December, 2002, Romance of the Rails
Train aficionados will delight in two nights in a deluxe simulated Pullman car room with soaking tub for two, fireplace, queen bed, club chairs, refrigerator, cable TV/VCR and best of all, a library of train movies. Breakfast can be brought to your room. Also includes two tickets for the afternoon Middletown train ride...$295.00+tax. Dinner trains available selected weekends.$375.00+tax. (888 271-6426, http://www.thenoblehouse.com/)

The Katy House in Smithville, TX is named for the old "Katy" railroad line (the Missouri Kansas & Texas Railroad) traveled through the area en route to Houston and Galveston. The Conductors' Quarters has authentic antique railroad hardware and memorabilia, and captures the feel of early small-Texas-town living. To prove that they are train-lovers themselves, the Katy House innkeepers are in the process of reproducing the distinctive Bluebonnet china, used on the M-K-T dining cars until the end of passenger service. It can be ordered on-line from the Katy House (800-843-5289, http://www.katyhouse.com/).

Directly on the banks of Big Cypress Bayou, close to historic Jefferson, is the Maison Bayou's Riverfront Railcar and Frisco Caboose (903-665-7600, http://www.maisonbayou.com/lodge.htm). The railcar has beautifully varnished wood walls and ceiling, accented by 20 windows plus two skylights, giving a panoramic view of the woods and Big Cypress Bayou. The Frisco Caboose has a view of the river from the bed and the observation windows, plus a private deck. Rates from $99-110; breakfast $5 per person additional.