Railroad dining: A culinary experience

The Placer-Sierra Railroad Heritage Society meeting on Tuesday, May 26, will present the story of railroad dining. The speaker is Marilyn Sommerdorf, a renowned railroad historian and volunteer at the California State Railroad Museum. Sommerdorf previously worked at the museum restoration shop as a photographer and in collections and exhibits. She will cover the early history of railroad meal service, including the famous Harvey House restaurants along the Santa Fe Railroad. Fred Harvey changed the food stop from a nightmare to one of culinary excellence. With the addition of a dedicated dining car in 1868, when Pullman introduced the "Delmonico" dining car, travelers were able to experience the quality meal service of the best restaurants in the cities. The luxurious atmosphere aboard the dining cars became famous with elaborate decorations, expensive linens and elegant table settings. They often featured special menus with many railroads known for their signature dishes. Each railroad advertised their various specialties and recipes and published recipe booklets for the public. Hear about the rise of the dining car with its first-class food service and current decline to fast food supplied by machines. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Hall at 100 East Street. The public is welcome. For questions, email chuck.spinks@outlook.com.