January 16, 2019
Its Back!
Valentine's Day Dinner in the Diner
Former Amtrak Dining Car Steward Garl B. Latham greets guests and seats couples in
the Museum's 1937 restored Missouri-Kansas-Texas Dining Car.
Since moving to Frisco, the Museum’s Missouri-Kansas-Texas dining car has been used exclusively for city officials and major donors. We are excited to offer the first Dinner in the Diner event to everyone in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Space is limited, so reserve your table now! 
 
Here’s your opportunity to return to a time when travel was romantic and exciting! Railroad dining cars rivaled the finest hotels and steam ships when it came to exquisite food and service. The Museum of the American Railroad invites you to join us for a most unique immersive experience with your special someone. Enjoy an intimate Valentine’s Day dinner in our restored 1937 M-K-T dining car on February 14 th at 7pm and sample first-class dining in the grand manner. 
 
Guests will be greeted by our very own Dining Car Steward, Mr. Garl B. Latham, and treated to drinks and an authentic railroad dining car meal created from original recipes. Tables will be adorned with china, starched linens, and fresh flowers. Space is limited to 36 guests, that’s only 18 couples! This is typically a sell-out, so don’t hesitate to get your tickets now. Proceeds benefit the Museum of the American Railroad’s educational programs. 
 
The evening’s menu includes highlights such as basil & parmesan beef tenderloin from the New York Central Lines, French style peas from the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, diamond cheese biscuits from the Reading Lines, as well as Grand Canyon Strawberry Surprise Cheesecake from the Fred Harvey Company, followed by coffee and conversation. 
 
Tickets are $235 per couple which includes dinner, wine, a keepsake menu, and red rose in a most unique Valentine’s Day setting, no additional gratuity or expenses necessary. 
 
Join us as we bring this prized piece in the Museum’s collection alive. Treat yourself to impeccable service, reward your appetite, and let your imagination take you to your favorite destination. Questions? Phone (214) 428-0101. 
 
Menu includes non-vegetarian items and is not gluten free. Two person tables will be filled based on preference and a first-come-first-served basis during registration. Once two person tables are filled, all other couples will be seated at four person tables. Please note that some walking on uneven ground and climbing stairs is involved. 
 
The Museum of the American Railroad is located adjacent to the Frisco Discovery Center at 8004 N. Dallas Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034. Please park at the Discovery Center and allow our conductors to show you to the dining car for your very special evening.
Partners in Preservation
Atmos Energy Funds Tank Car Restoration
Atmos Energy's John Manganilla (left) and Museum CEO Bob LaPrelle (right) pose with a sizeable donation toward the restoration of tank car LSPX 1817 in the background.
Atmos Energy has generously provided funds toward restoration of a key piece in the Museum’s collection. 
 
One of our often overlooked pieces of rolling stock is a rather utilitarian tank car that makes up the short freight train exhibit. But, if that car could talk it would tell you about its role in the development of Texas and the Southwest. It is the sole surviving car from endless tank trains that carried crude oil from fields to refineries during the Ranger Era oil boom in Texas. In 1917, following a long drought, Ranger, Texas in Eastland County became the epicenter of drilling that would transform the state. 
 
A method was needed to transport oil from the fields of west central Texas to refineries elsewhere in the state. Enter the railroads. With line construction having tapped the western regions of the state a few decades prior, trains of tank cars were the logical and most immediate solution. 
 
The Museum’s tank car was a result of that effort. Manufactured by the General American Tank Car Company in 1917, it was among the first to be pressed into service. Numbered LSPX 1817, it was owned and operated by the Chestnut & Smith Corporation, a predecessor to Lone Star Producing Company when crude oil was part of their trade. Lone Star Producing Company would eventually become Lone Star Gas, today’s Atmos Energy.   
 
We are grateful to Atmos for their contribution of $10,000 toward restoration of the tank car. Thank you to John Manganilla, Manager of Public Affairs. He and others at Atmos showed a genuine interest in the educational value of history as well as the legacy of their company. Their community spirit enables the Museum to further its preservation efforts. This is a model for ways in which industry can support items in our collection. 
 
The funds will allow for a complete exterior refinishing of LSPX 1817, new graphics, and replacement of wooden running boards. The car will once again shine as it helps interpret a vital period in the history of our state. It figures prominently into our 3rd grade programs. As part of its interpretation, students will receive informative material on natural gas safety.
Renowned Railroad Artist
Paints Vision of Museum's Future
Museum CEO Bob LaPrelle (left) poses with railroad artist John Winfield (right) in his Ft. Worth studio.
Just what would it be like to stand in the Museum’s future Exhibits Pavilion and gaze at our magnificent collection of historic trains? It is one thing to have engineering drawings and site plans, but its altogether another to add color and depth to the vision. 
 
In preparation for launching the Museum’s building campaign later this year, we sought to find someone who could create an exciting, iconic image that sparks passion in our present and future stakeholders. A phone call to renowned railroad artist John Winfield of Fort Worth eliminated any doubt as to who should create the image. John enthusiastically agreed to take on the task. He has painted countless images of railroading for individuals and organizations, including celebrities, and BNSF Railroad. One only has to view his rendition of Chicago’s Dearborn Station at dusk to understand why John is eminently qualified to help realize our vision.
 
The painting is a breathtaking view from the visitor’s perspective. Standing in the concourse area, it gives a panoramic perspective of key locomotives in the collection in an active setting that includes structural elements of the period-style train shed. A warm and inspiring sense of place creates an immersive experience for visitors. 
 
John Winfield’s work will officially debut later this year, with the original on display, along with 25 limited signed prints as part of launching the capital campaign to fund the structure. We are thrilled to have John’s involvement in the project. For more information about his work visit www.WinfieldArt.com
Make a Difference! Consider
a gift to the Museum!
 The Museum of the American Railroad is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable corporation chartered in the state of Texas in 1962. The mission of the Museum is to enrich the lives of others through meaningful, relevant programs and exhibits that relate the history & technology of the Railroad and its profound impact on American life and culture.