Come join the Absaroka Region for a spectacular day and evening as we travel through the mountains and prairies of central Montana’s Judith Basin. You’ll enjoy the beauty of the rolling hills, wide open ranch lands, a fun twisty road and a beautiful sunset.

On the train’s 56 mile round trip journey, we should see a plentiful supply of wildlife like antelope, eagles, deer, hawks and coyotes. Be prepared! We might also experience masked bandits along the route so hold on to your valuables! – It’s rumored hold-ups have been known to occur.

The Charlie Russell Chew Choo will cross two historic trestles and pass through a half mile long tunnel. The journey will take three and one-half hours in a comfortable, air conditioned, non-smoking coach which includes a full course prime rib dinner and dessert. There is a no-host cash bar (beer and wine only, no liquor) and music by local area entertainers.

The boarding location is northwest of Lewistown about 10 miles and follows the route of the old Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad, often referred to as the “Milwaukee Road” to Denton, MT and back again. The train travels on a spur track that was built in 1912-1913 connecting Lewistown and Great Falls.

The Details:

Cost per Person: $100.00

Payable to the PCA—Absaroka Region – the Club will pay once for the entire group at once to get the discount.

(If we get more than 11 tickets, the price drops to $95.00 each, if we can get to 22 or more it drops to $90.00 each. To qualify for these group rate discounts, the tickets must be paid for at the same time from a single account and all the passengers must ride the same scheduled train.)

Payment: Payment will be due to Absaroka Treasurer Stephanie Haider by February 23, 2019 (Baked Potato Party).

Cancellation: A 14-day cancellation, no show, no refund policy does apply.

RSVP: Tickets for the dinner train go fast!  We are asking that you RSVP within 10 days.  Please RSVP to johnjburkejr@hotmail.com  if you’re going.

Let’s see if we can get 22 people to go!

Meeting Location & Depart Times:

We’ll drive up to Lewistown as a group for the event in the morning and have lunch somewhere in Lewistown.

The meeting location is in the Billings Heights at:

All American Pharmaceutical

2376 Main Street, Billings, MT

Meet at 11:00 AM.

This is at the far end of Main Street, near the turn off to Roundup, Montana.

After our short driver’s meeting, and signing of the PCA insurance waiver, we’ll depart for Lewistown at 11:30 AM.

The drive to Lewistown via Roundup and Grass Range on Highway 87 is a little over 2 hours or 125 miles.

Lunch Options:

Lunch will be on your own.  There are lots of options in Lewistown from the standard fast food chain establishments to some enjoyable local dine in restaurants.

After lunch we’ll settle into out hotels rooms.

Meeting in Lewistown:

We’ll rally the group together again at 4:00 PM for the trip to the Hanover Station at 4:30 PM.

It takes approximately 20 minutes of travel time to reach the Hanover Boarding Station. We can board one hour before departure.

We are arranging a Party Bus to the Hanover Station so we won’t have to worry about drinking and driving.  Also the road to Hanover is paved, but the Hanover station parking is not.  The bus will pick us up at our hotel.

The train leaves the Hanover Station at 5:30 PM.

Lodging Options:

After the train ride you certainly can drive home, but you really should make an overnight reservation and enjoy beautiful Lewistown.

We have reserved 12 rooms at the Calvert Hotel.  The Calvert Hotel is a beautiful restored hotel that used to be a girl’s school. If we can fill all the reserved rooms the rate is $134 per night including breakfast the following morning.  You will need to secure your own lodging reservation with the hotel and we’d like to see if you can have this done by February 27^th.

The Calvert Hotel

216 7th Ave S.

Lewistown, MT 59457

Tel: 877.371.5411

If you need addition details contact Jack Burke at the email for RSVP.