columbia star dinner train

There phone has been disconnected, not sure they are in business any more. I tried to make a reservation in the fall and they told me it was fully booked. On the Sunday I called about, I drove over to see if maybe someone didn't show up, no one there! Train was sitting idle! certainly was not fully booked!

Beware. The other negative reviews of extremely poor customer service are accurate. I experienced this without setting foot on the train and would not recommend paying any money to this business. I sent them emails in November to book reservations on one of the Christmas trains in December. I received an email from the CEO saying someone would be in contact with me. No one contacted me and I sent many subsequent emails only to receive a series of form emails continually stating that all trains were full for the remainder of the year. When I asked why I did not have a reservation based on my previous emails in November I received this rude email from their terrible customer service representative named Josh followed by the same form email below. Obviously he doesn't care at all about the company he works for or his job. "This may explain more.CSDT ReservationsDear Guest,This is a response to your recent emailed "Request for Reservation".We regret to say that there is no availability on any of our scheduled dinner trains for the remainder of December 2014. We are retaining your contact information should anything open up or another train be added. We fully understand that the event you are requesting may have been a special celebration and we are truly sorry for any dissapointment. Our company is currently going through an ownership change and we are having to wind down our 2014 schedule. We are asking our guests to go onto our website www.dinnertrain.com and to the center section of the page and sign up for our free E-Newsletter. Our 2015 schedule will be issued soon and we will be sending it first to our "E-Community" guests and we invite you to return then. The Columbia Star Dinner Train has many new events planned for 2015 along with special "Member Only" functions as well.Thank you for your interest in our trains and we hope to have you onboard in 2015!Sincerely,

We booked tickets in august for the Santa Express as a surprise for our son (he loves trains). We scheduled for the 14th of Dec, a week before his birthday on the 21st. After booking our tickets, we called again in November to ensure that we had every thing squared away only to find out that we had never been booked for the Santa Express. Since they were now fully booked for the 14th for the Santa Express, we were forced to get tickets for the 21st our son's birthday which was already planned out. Now, 10 days before the 21st we received an email, stating that the Columbia Star Dinner Train would be cancelling all Santa Express trains from the 21st to the 23rd. I'm sure our son would of had a great time, but due to extremely poor management he won't get the chance. We will never again book tickets on the Columbia Star Dinner Train.

A group of 6 couples went of the Saturday dinner train in August. While the train experience was fine, except for the fact that we were the last to be served and there was only medium well done prime rib after ordering medium rare and there was little to brag about on the scenery.. However, we all paid our tabs on the train, including the train, dinner and beverages. Subsequently, I was charged the base fare for all twelve people. After two months, I was unable to get a refund through the train ownership, even dealing directly with the President and CEO. The train experience is okay, but the ownership leaves much to be desired.

We went on the Sunday dinner train in the fall (1-3 PM) in order to see the fall colors. It was $60 apiece (drinks were extra) for the two hour excursion. We both ordered chicken. I brought my computer bag on board because we were traveling and I was not certain how secure the parking lot was, so I did not want to leave the computer in the car. We were excited by the opportunity to see the Missouri countryside.It went downhill from there.First of all, there was plenty of room on the train (several empty tables), but we were seated at a table with two other people. My wife and I were looking for some time to catch up on this trip, but instead we had to make conversation with two people we did not know for two hours. They were very nice (and were, in fact, about the only pleasant thing about the experience), but this detracted from the intent we had coming in, which was to spend some time talking to one another on an allegedly romantic dinner train. That prospect was dashed from the outset by the seating arrangements. There was, I should note, no option to be seated otherwise; seats were assigned. So if you want to know who you are sitting with, bring four people.The train ride itself was nothing special--a straight-line ride out among trailer parks and low-rent subdivisions with collapsing above-ground pools and clusters of satellite dishes on their roofs (who needs seven separate satellite dishes on one building?). We saw a lot of weeds, a couple of horses and two dogs chained up in front of a double wide. That was it for the wildlife. The train went out at a jogger's pace, then reversed course and went back in the same direction as we finished our meal. My backyard has better scenery.The food was mediocre. My chicken was undercooked (it was pink), but I did not want to make a scene, so I just picked at the edges trying to eat the parts that were better cooked. BIG mistake. I spent the evening and most of the next morning . . . well, let's just say that food poisoning isn't fun (and I'm a gastroenterologist, so I know what I'm talking about here). On top of all of this, my computer bag was placed in a closet for the duration of the trip. When I got it out, there were other passenger items placed on top of it. I soon discovered that there had been some sort of impact to the computer that resulted in irreparable to the computer screen that was not covered by warranty (the computer was only 6 months old). Repair cost: $800. So this picturesque excursion into a trailer park cost me a total of about $1000--and a night's vacation.Perhaps some of the other dinner train excursions are more entertaining. Perhaps the food is not always toxic. Perhaps the scenery is not usually the distilled essence of rural squalor. But to say this trip was a disappointment would be an understatement. We would not repeat this experience.

The service and the food were excellent. The staff did an excellent job of serving and accommodating the entire group of 38. They even took time out of their busy schedule to take photos and chat. The food was very well prepared and presented. The chef explained each course in advance of its arrival. We started with a very nice salad laced with walnuts, melons, cucumbers, and topped off with a nice basalmic dressing. The interior of the dining cars was nicely restored and preserved. However, the exterior of all the cars and engines were in terrible shape and in dire need of repair and paint. The "murder mystery" was a real dud and would have served itself well to be buried with the deceased. Fix up the train and either bury the play or get one that isn't so hoakie and you'd have a great experience.

My husband took me here for my birthday surprise because he knew I loved trains. So, I was super excited. They had a coffee mug filled with after-dinner mints with 2 balloons tied to them. We got seated next to another couple and that felt awkward. I'm not anti-social or anything but it was supposed to be our special time together and while we did have some good conversation with that other couple, I kept wishing we had a table to ourselves.The dinner was excellent. Appetizer was a duck pastry and salad was really good. Prime rib was just amazing and the raspberry chocolate dessert at the end was incredible. I will say the portions of the appetizer and salad, I felt were perfect. I can see others thinking it was small, but I was happy with them. Prime rib was HUGE. I needed a to-go box and I wish the dinner portion was appropriate also. I normally am not a chocolate dessert type person but that dessert was amazing.And they brought a birthday cake for me also which was a nice touch.The window you are seated at makes a difference because if the sun sets right in your eyes, it gets quite hot and uncomfortable.The fun parts of the experience is actually being on a train and waving at people in their homes, cars and neighborhoods. I thought 22 mph as the maximum speed was too slow.Service was alright. Not exceptional. I had asked for tea and it took a while before they could bring my drink.In general, it was a great experience...

The food was good, as were the drinks. It was a bit awkward sitting with a couple we didn't know, but it was consistent with the theme of pre-WWII train travel. After the initial awkwardness of introductions passed, we actually had a good time with the couple sharing the table with us. I could see how this could be an issue. On this particular trip, we only filled one of the four diner cars on the train, so I dont really see why we had to sit so close. The train travels so slowly on the way out that meal service isn't a problem at all. It only takes half as long to return, and there still isn't much jostling. The Prime Rib and Trout were great choices and that is the same thing the other couple ordered as well so I can't tell you about much else on the menu. Its a little pricey for forced company, but the ambiance is good and the wait staff is super.

I booked the Valentines Day dinner train on 1/30/2014 via phone reservation. As a business professional, I deal with dozens of business every day, and this was the WORST experience I have ever had!! Our train was advertised as this "Boarding begins at 6:15pm and we depart at 7:00pm for a three hour train ride that includes live entertainment and a six course meal prepared fresh on board by our Executive Chef, all on board a classic moving train departing from Brown’s Station in Columbia Missouri. The train returns at 10:00pm."615 – we arrive on site, as instructed to board the train. We wait for over 35 min in 15 degree weather while 1 person with an non- alphabetized list attempted to check people in. 720- our train departed, 20 min past schedule740 – the wait staff took our first drink orders830 – we received our first drink order, 50 min after we ordered850 – we received our appetizer, which our waiter could not give us information on what it was920 – a table at the back of our car begin to take the entertainment microphone and sign/yell/annoy the whole train. Not one staff member asked them to quiet down or refrain from disrupting the train, so they continued the whole trip945 – I asked a staff member in charge if they train was still on schedule, considering we had not even received our entrée, and told him we had children at home and needed to know. He proceeded to tell me we were on time and may arrive 15 min late. 1020 – we received our entrée (20 min past when they trip was scheduled to end). The entrée I ordered, Port Chop, was not there. When I told the wait staff I ordered a Port Chop and not chicken because I do not eat chicken, one young lady told me “just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean the chef has extra food laying around”. I then informed her I did not make a mistake, I ordered the Port Chop and my entrée isn’t extra, it is what I ordered. The young lady told me again, “there isn’t an extra chop laying around, sorry”. I took chicken because it was after 10 pm and had not ate anything, and took 2 bites because I DO NOT eat chicken. 1115 – I asked the wait staff to bring me my ticket so they could process payment now, she told me that wasn’t possible.1145 – 1 hour and 45 minutes after the scheduled arrival of our train, the staff collected the entire trains tickets and began running them, 1 by 1, through a credit card machine. 1145 – the table in the back, mentioned above, then screamed at the wait staff and in turn had their ENTIRE alcohol bill waived. So, by ruining everyone else’s trip and drinking an absurd amount of alcohol, they were the first ones of the train with a free tab!

What a Valentines Day train wreck! From start to finish! Disorganized! We had to wait outside for 30 minutes on a windy 15 degree night to board as they searched with a flash light to find each person’s name on reservation form. The ride was supposed to begin at 7:00 and return at 10:00. We did not get back until midnight! It took much too long between each course of the meal. We did not get the main course until 10:30 so we were starved to eat! I had ordered a trout meal but received pork chops, sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes. Yuk, there was nothing on my plate that I wanted to eat! My husband asked to speak to the manager but we were told there was nothing they could do. During this time two drunks on the train found the microphone and started yelling nonsense for 30 minutes. No staff attempted to stop them or ask them to sit down. This was going on while the (very poor) actors in a “who dunnit” play continued to out shout them on their microphones. People were yelling at them to “shut up”! Total chaos! FINALLY we got back to Columbia, they give us our drink bill and we were charged for a bottle of wine we did not receive. My husband refused to pay the bill and once again asked to see the manager. Several other couples wanted to speak to him about problems also. Too bad, the busboy tells us the manager “just skated”. He can be seen outside literally running across the parking lot, jumps in his car and drives away! Four people who bought a package deal that included a hotel and free shuttle were stranded because there was no shuttle waiting for them! A waitress told them she would take them to the hotel! We paid $199 dollars for this fiasco. My husband tried for a week to talk to the owner of Columbia Star by phone but he would not return our calls. The bright side - This will certainly be a Valentine’s Day we will not forget! I felt terrible for my husband who planned and surprised me with this gift. He read good reviews before planning this trip but that was not our experience, sadly. We must have hopped on the wrong train!

There were 4 of us that waited outside in freezing temperatures with other complaining people while 2 staff members looked for names and tickets which took about a half hour. That was enough to make sure I never did this again. We were informed we had the warmest car and everyone was very cold. Then we asked for a bottle of wine as soon as we were seated and they were already out. We had 2 other choices that we thought would be good and they were out of those, too. The ride was supposed to be for 3 hours and ended up being 4 1/2. We did not get our main course until 10 PM. The food was delicious, the play was good, the staff was great but I think owner/management needs to do something to change how things are done before I will recommend or do this again. Overall, we had a good time but we were not paying a babysitter or had to get up early the next day and we could afford to let go of our expectations. There were some very unhappy people when we were leaving and that is too bad. I think this could really be a great and wonderfully different experience. Another tip: When you call to make the reservations, the answering machine usually picks up and don't assume someone will call back. I called several times, left a message, and after a few days, tried one more time and got someone. The message on their machine asked to leave a number and they would call back. They were not aware of my message. If I had not talked to someone that day, I would have given up. I am giving this an average rating because I am hopeful.

We made a reservation but never got confirmation but our credit card sure got charged right away for the $199 dinner plus 18% gratuity before we got there. We were made to stand in the freezing cold for over 30 minutes while they tried to figure out the reservation mess. Once aboard we waited over 90 minutes for our drinks and then they had run out of the wine we ordered. The food was actually pretty good when you could get it. Our entree wasn't served until after 10 pm which was 3 1/2 hours later. We were supposed to return at 10 but it was more like midnight. Many diners were panicking, some were loudly complaining and demanding their money back. One waitress was trying desperately to get drinks for about 80 people. Worse yet in the midst of all this chaos was a "murder mystery" entertainment troop who did nothing but scream into microphones and harass the patrons. We were expecting dim lights and soft music but ended up in the middle of a 2 bit Vaudeville act. The only thing that was close to prompt was the bill at the end. Additional suggested gratuities were added - imagine. People were scrambling to get paid and just get off. Our dinner companion said he would have jumped off the train if he could. My husband who is the world's kindest man finally lost his temper when after waiting a long time to pay found they had grossly overcharged us. He asked for the card to be rerun and they just tossed him a $20 bill and we got out of there. My husband was so visibly disappointed - I just felt terrible since he surprised me with this unfortunate experience. It ruined our Valentines day completely. Never again:(

After piling in a car with other couple we waited outside in freezing temperatures to board. Once on board we waited 2 hours asking repeatedly for our drinks only to be forgotten and then they were out of our first and second requests both. It took until after 2 very small courses and 2 and 1/2 hours to get our drinks. Service is slow and horrible! I feel like we were ripped off for valentines day!

You have to make reservations. They lost mine. Even after I showed my confirmation they made my wife and I wait in our cars while the sorted things out. When we finally got on, everyone else had tables already set. We had to ask for silverware, napkins, coffee and almost everything else that other patrons just seemed to automatically get. Don't ever go in the day, especially in the winter. You will see so much trash along the tracks that you won't have an appetite anyway.

This was a fantastic date night idea. Awesome meal & atmosphere! The staff was friendly & eager to accomodate. Our ride was at night so did not get to take in the scenery. They play soft romantic music. The train moves real slow so you don't have to worry about motion sickness. The only thing I would change about this set up is I would like to see a waiting area/gift shop when you arrive & are waiting for your departure. Very worthwhile.