Reminiscent of an era of cigar smoke and three-piece suits, vintage railroad cars are being restored with art deco interiors, private bathrooms and five-star chefs. For about $7,000 a day, these cars can be hitched to passenger or freight trains for private charter in the United States, Mexico and Canada (aaprco.com). The Hickory Creek, a restored 1948 Pullman car, once ferried movie stars and media from New York to Chicago along the 20th Century Limited line. Today the dining car uses silver and original waiter uniforms to give guests "some of that Cary Grant feeling," says charter agent Scott Clauss (startrakinc. com). Riders on the opulent Metis rail car, built in 1928 for Queen Elizabeth to tour Canada, can dine on lobster and truffles in the mahogany dining room (americanrail. com). They may hope the trip never ends.
—Cara Tabachnick