The Wolf Lunch Train

Operates most Saturday afternoons – 5/24/25 – 10/25/25

Excluding Day Out with Thomas

Enjoy a delicious 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” cars. This train crosses the 156′ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, as well as the Des Moines River Bridge, on its journey through the river valley.

Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase in our gift shop, and on board the dinner train.

Lunch Train Menu

  • Main Entree
    • Smashed Burger
    • Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich
    • Chicken Pesto Sandwich
    • Caprese Sandwich
  • Sides
    • Seasonal Fresh Greens
    • Potato Chips
  • Dessert
    • Hazelnut Brownie with Ice Cream
  • Beverages (Included with your meal)
    • Water, soda, lemonade, iced tea, coffee
  • Libations available for purchase on board
    • Bud Light
    • Busch Light
    • Coors Light
    • Stella Artois
    • Cabernet Sauvignon House Red Wine
    • Sauvignon Blanc House White Wine
    • Moscato D’Asti House Sparkling Wine
    • Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
    • Tanqueray Gin
    • Smirnoff Vodka
    • Jack Daniels Whiskey
    • Maker’s Mark Bourbon

RV-type chemical toilets are available on board the train. It is recommended that you use the depot or museum restrooms prior to your trip.

No. Stroller or car seat storage is available near the boarding area.

Yes, the cars used on our Wolf Trains are climate controlled.

No. Once the end of the line is reached, the train will stop, then begin the return trip to Boone.

For those wishing a more intimate dining experience, a private compartment may be available for a $50 fee. Only two compartments are available on any given train. Compartments must be reserved at the time you make your reservation. Compartments have a maximum capacity of four passengers. If your party is not purchasing all seats at a table, remaining seats may be purchased by someone else.

No. Prices do not include a gratuity.

Trains travel at approximately 10 miles per hour.

Our Wolf Lunch Train excursions are approximately 2 hours in length.

All train rides are round-trip journeys.

All trains utilize assigned seating. Wolf Train passengers are seated at tables of up to four people. You may be seated with another party. When reserving, indicate if you would like to be seated with a specific party. Requests to be seated with a specific party must be made a minimum of 7 business days prior to the day of your trip. If your party is not purchasing all seats at a table, remaining seats may be purchased by someone else.

All Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad trains, buildings, and grounds are smoke-free.

Internet ticket orders incur a 12%, non-refundable handling fee. Phone orders incur a non-refundable handling fee of 25 cents per ticket.

Due to the age and the history of these cars, multiple stairs, narrow hallways, and other limitations make them inaccessible to persons utilizing walkers, wheelchairs, motorized scooters, etc.

Each couple may bring one bottle of wine to enjoy with their meal. A corkage fee of $5.00 per bottle will be applied to your order. This is a requirement of our insurance company. It is preferred that corkage fees be paid prior to the date of your ride. Check your wine at the ticket window upon your arrival at the depot. Hard liquor will not be permitted. A selection of wines are available for purchase from our gift shop.

No. Only service animals are allowed on our trains and in our buildings. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, therapy animals, or pets are not covered under Titles II and III of the ADA.

Aside from items purchased from our gift shop, outside food and/or drink may not be brought on board.

Any changes or cancellations must be made a minimum of 7 business days prior to the day of your departure. Special event tickets such as Day out with Thomas, Pumpkin Express, and Santa Express are final sales – no refunds or exchanges are available.

Our trains operate rain, snow, or shine. The decision to run is based on weather conditions at the railroad. If the train runs, no refunds will be made. If a train is cancelled, a gift card will be issued – no cash refunds will be made.

Plan to arrive one hour before departure time. Keep in mind that in excess of 60 freight trains pass through Boone on any given day. This frequently leads to travel delays for our customers. Your punctual arrival helps to ensure you won’t be caught on the wrong side of the tracks as your train departs the depot. Reservation or not, trains will not be held for late passengers.

You must provide us with your meal choices a minimum of seven business days prior to your trip.

Your credit card will be charged at the time you make your reservation.

These trains depart from our depot located at 225 10th Street in Boone, Iowa, wind their way through the Des Moines River Valley, before ending up near Fraser, Iowa. Fraser, once a booming mining town, was the headquarters for the Boone Valley Coal and Railroad Company, a predecessor of the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad. This train will cross the 156’ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, as well as the Des Moines River Bridge.

No. Train tickets are held at the depot ticket office, and are to be picked-up at the ticket window upon your arrival. You should receive e-mail confirmation of your order at the e-mail address you provide.

No. All Wolf Trains are pulled by a diesel locomotive.

The Kate Shelley High Bridge is located on the Union Pacific Railroad’s mainline across Iowa, which is unrelated to our line. However, we do cross the 156′ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, which is the highest single-track interurban railroad bridge in the United States.

2025 Schedule and Prices

  • Saturdays 5/24/25 – 10/25/25
    • $70 per person
    • Does not operate during our Day Out With Thomas event
  • Departure Time
    • 11:00 am
  • Arrives back in Boone
    • 1:30 pm