1864
The Napa Valley Wine Train’s history is almost as old as the history of the state of California itself. The rail line upon which the train travels was built in 1864 by San Francisco’s first millionaire, Samuel Brannan, to transport visitors to his spa resort of Calistoga. Shortly afterwards, Brannan was forced to sell many of his holdings to pay for his divorce, and the railroad became the property of California Pacific Railroad.
1885
Then in 1885, Southern Pacific bought the Napa Valley Railroad. During the late part of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century, the railroad played a vital role in the economic and agricultural development of the Napa Valley, and provided regular passenger service to its communities.
1930s
With the birth of the automobile, the train began to lose much of its former importance. Passenger service was discontinued in the 1930s.
1960
In 1960, Southern Pacific abandoned the right of way between St. Helena and Calistoga, and eventually, Southern Pacific was only running one freight train a week on the remaining tracks.
1984
In an effort to make a profit on the faltering rail line, Southern Pacific decided to abandon the line and sell the property in 1984.
Some Napa Valley residents did not want the rail line to be abandoned and lost. Retired Southern Pacific Engineer Lou Schuyler had driven freight along the route, and understood the significance and beauty attached to this railroad. After discovering Southern Pacific’s plan to abandon the rail line, he formed a group called “The Society for the Preservation of the Napa County Railroad,” and went on a quest to put a rail saving measure on the Napa county ballot. The initiative failed to pass, but the overwhelming public support of the railroad piqued the interest of a group of concerned Napa citizens. This group, founded by Dr. Alvin Lee Block, was known as the Napa Valley Wine Train Inc. Their goal? To create a railroad that would preserve the transportation corridor for future use and reduce traffic congestion in the Napa Valley.
1987
The Napa Valley Wine Train Inc. went on a hunt to find investors. Their search led them to San Francisco resident Vincent DeDomenico, inventor of Rice-A-Roni and former owner of Ghirardelli Chocolate and Golden Grain Pasta. DeDomenico loved the concept of the Wine Train and offered to buy the whole operation. The Napa Valley Wine Train Inc. sold him most of the shares in the company and appointed him as the Napa Valley Wine Train’s President and CEO.
With DeDomenico involved, the Napa Valley Wine Train was finally able to buy the line from Southern Pacific and begin its transformation into the business it is today. The company began to acquire antique rail stock and renovate them into beautiful, elegant cars. The Napa Valley Wine Train also began to hire their team: food and service experts to provide visitors with an unmatched luxury rail experience, engineers, conductors, mechanics to operate the antique railcars, reservation agents, managers, and many more.
1989
On September 16, 1989, The Napa Valley Wine Train took its inaugural passenger trip and has been steadily running through the Valley ever since.
