Murder, Mayhem, and Some Really Nice Wines
Departing from Tacoma’s Freighthouse Square aboard a vintage 1937 railroad car christened the Cascade, my wife and I headed toward Mt. Rainer to Lake Kapowsin on a three hour round trip. Throughout the cabin, people were celebrating birthdays and anniversaries; we were seated at a table with two nice young people celebrating their first year of marriage.
Get A Clue
But this was no ordinary train.
Interrupting the conversation, a loud and rather large ex-jockey (James Dean) came down the aisle soliciting our support to get him rehired by the rancher Buck Jackson (Bob Yount). After all, his horse, Dances with Speed, had never lost a race. It wasn’t long until Buck and his sociable wife, Candy Cane (Kay Ethan), came from the other direction and the accusations began to fly.
Suddenly us passengers were faced with some hard questions to mull over. Why had the horse never lost? What’s the real reason the jockey was fired? And who was behind the death of a certain private investigator?
If you haven’t already guessed, we were aboard the Spirit of Washington Murder Mystery Dinner Train.
Though you may think that the whodunit is as simple as a one-in-three suspects chance, it grows more complex. As the story unfolds and the drinks and dinner courses are served, other riders on board the train are pulled into the action and the number of suspects grows with each turn of the tracks. You may even find yourself under the glare of suspicion.
Following along with all the conversations is not easy, even in a 48-seat railroad car, but written clues and other bits of evidence are available from newsletters to extortion notes to shopping lists. Additionally, a detective (Richard Daly) is on board to ask questions and help you tie the clues together. Miss Guidance (Michelle Patrick) does exactly what her name implies and helps guide you through the evening.
After a short stop at the end of the line, the train reverses course. On the return trip, you are finally called into duty to solve the mystery. Everyone is given a chance and small rewards are given to those with the most imaginative (and correct) answers.
Fine Dining
We weren’t investigating on an empty stomach thanks to regular courses throughout the ride. Dinner was quite good and leisurely spaced throughout the evening. Before-dinner drinks gave way to assorted breads and a crisp romaine salad tossed with poppyseed vinaigrette dressing, fresh grapefruit and toasted almonds. After the salad came the main course.
At my table a gentleman ordered the pork, which was slow braised and marinated. I loved the oven-roasted chicken breast I had ordered but I wanted that pork!
Things to note before you make your reservations
First, the views are not picturesque and remote. For that you may need to wait for the Train to the Mountain. But I enjoyed the urban scenery. As Julie pointed out to me, “That’s the place in the book The King of Methlehem where they were passing out the food” and I pointed out to her “Check it out, Parkland Putters.” I liked passing through Frederickson and Graham. Though the journey continues to tranquil Lake Kapowsin and back, it was pretty dark outside to see much.
There is motion to be sure. This is a wonderful train pieced together from engine cars each with its own history and it rocks a bit. I thought the motion added to the experience but one passenger did mention a little discomfort.
You may need to hurry. The City of Tacoma’s Tacoma Rail Mountain Division signed a 10-month pilot agreement with the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train to bring excursion passenger railway service to the city of Tacoma.
Once that agreement is up, this brand of murder, mystery and a great selection of wines may be heading back to Renton.
Prices for the Murder Mystery Dinner Train are $83.99 and do not include Washington State sales tax, food service gratuity or drinks. Murder Mystery Dinner Trains run on select days; see their listings below for dates and times.
Link to Spirit of Washington Dinner Train Events
Andrew Fry blogs about technology and Tacoma on his website Living and Working in the Virtual World. He is active both on stage and off in the the South Sound theater community.