Before food was served on trains, passengers had to eat elsewhere or pack their own food. To accommodate them, restaurants were built in or near stations. Although many emphasized speed and convenience, some provided good food and service as well. When dining cars were built and attached to trains, passengers could dine in style aboard the train.
Read Food on the Rails to discover how Pullman developed dining and sleeping cars, how the Orient Express got underway, and much more.
This is the first broad history of food served and eaten during train travel from its golden years in the early 20th century to its decline and fall after World War II. If you love learning about railroad dining, it's for you.