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Napa to splurge US$11 million on new wine trains
The operator of the Napa Valley Wine Train plans to buy three new low-emission locomotives, which will be “nearly silent and odourless” in a bid to make Napa Valley greener.
Popular tourist attraction The Napa Valley Wine Train has until now played on its antique features, with guests travelling in Pullman rail cars decked out with mahogany paneling, brass accents, etched glass partitions and armchairs that “evoke the spirit of luxury rail travel at the beginning of the 20th century”, says its operator Noble House Hotels & Resorts.
However, the Napa train service is about to steam into the future as Noble House, which bought the wine train in 2015, is planning to convert its fleet over to cleaner energy. The almost exhaust-free trains will be “nearly silent and odourless”, and will “vastly lower” carbon emissions.
To fund the new trains, Noble House will draw down on a new U$6.4 million grant awarded by the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Programme, and lump it together with a US$3.9 million grant from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust to reach the expected US$11 million cost.
The longterm plan is to retire the “charming yet dated” diesel trains altogether by 2026 and replace them completely with new EPA Tier-4 engines which comply with California’s locomotive emission standards set to take effect in 2030.
“We are keenly focused on the future of our business and curating experiences that offer delicious food, wine, and stunning views, while also placing importance on our environmental responsibility,” said Nathan Davis, general manager, Napa Valley Wine Train general manager.
According to Davis the switch will “not only benefit our business and customer experience, but also the community by producing a vastly lowered carbon footprint.”
The new Tier 4 locomotives will be “nearly silent and odourless” with exhaust that is “practically nonexistent”, says Noble House. They will produce near-zero emissions and can operate at 1,000 horsepower.
Guests travelling on The Napa Valley Wine Train can enjoy a fine dining service while enjoying the scenery of Napa Valley rolling by. Guests can choose to board for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, and some experiences include a stop at Napa wine estates to taste wines.
The wine availability onboard the train is also impressive, with the option to purchase a “Sommelier flight tasting”, which includes samples from prestigious Napa producers Far Niente and Opus One, among others.
In 2015 the Napa Wine Train was acquired by Noble House Hotels & Resorts, whose portfolio includes a collection of luxury hotels and resorts across the United States.
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