secret city scenic excursion train

I went on this train with my boyfriend and another couple. Very low key, but very accomodating. The food was worth the money alone! Tenderloin, with salad, rolls, shrimp cocktail, wine (brought our own bottle, but they poured), and a HUGE piece of chocolate cake for desert. The man giving the history of the area was also very informative. Running by the old K25 plant was neat as well. The coach and dining cars were both clean and beautifully preserved and decorated. My advice would be to go with another couple as the tables are for four if you do not like sitting with strangers, and bring a few bottles of bubbly.Overall, fantastic service (especially considering they are serving you hot food on a moving train and the staff is all volunteer) and everyone had a wonderful time. My only recommendation would be to start the train a little earlier so you can see a bit of the scenery go by. :)

We decided to go at the last minute. Called to get reservations. The man asked where we were coming from, and I told him it was about an 1 1/2 drive. He told me if we seen that we were running behind to call them and they would hold the train for us. Well, we were running behind, and called and they did as they said they would, they held the train up for us! We were very grateful. We get there and they told us to get on board and that we could pay as we were leaving. Best part, no one on the train knew they were waiting on us. So there wasn't any embarrassment when we got on. Thankful for that. Nice ride with comfortable seating, large window views, heated/air conditioning. Open to walk through the different cars as train was moving. A couple of open sections to feel the breeze and take photos. Gift shop/snack area open, fair prices. Bathrooms on board as well. Train very clean. Train conductor and others on board were all volunteers. Ride lasted approximately 1 1/2 hours. Old dining car, beautiful. Children and adults alike, could go up to the engine, after the train stopped, and blow the whistle. Volunteers told the history of the train and this area of Oak Ridge. Overall good trip. Volunteers were very nice and we could tell how much the train and its story meant to each one of them. Adult tickets $19, children $15

If you want to see and hear about the history of Oak Ridge, this isn't the place. If you want to take your kids on a fun train ride, this isn't it. I have no idea about the holiday rides but what I do know is, the scenery would be much better seen at night. Once you go through the grave yard of the Y-25 plant - old nasty buildings, torn up lots of asphalt, contractors trailers, old broken down trains and best of all...tanks of waste from the plant, you then get to ride through a couple of miles of trees, shrubs and rocks. All I saw on-board was bored faces and people realizing they just wasted their money.

The wife and I really enjoyed riding the train and seeing what is left of the plant. We got a real treat there was an elderly couple riding that were locals and found out the lady had worked for the plant but up the road as an receptionist.

The guide on the train does give you some interesting information. However, you go a few miles one way and stop for 20 minutes then come back and go the other way for about a mile and stop. Then it's back to the depot. The windows were so dirty you could not really see out of them. Overall was disappointed.

After researching options for a Valentines Dinner train, we discovered the Secret City Scenic Excursion Train. We had a great time. Dinner was very good. The volunteers who staff the train are very knowledgeable and friendly. Scenery wasn't that great, but the back story of the area made up for it.