Evening star., 1952-03-30
7 raveIer's Notebook
Railroads Do Something About Meal Prices
By Jacques FutreIle, Jr.
The Sior's Travel Editor,

meals for-its "Chessie tray" service.
The public's reaction was tested
initially on the lines service be-
tween Washington and Charlottes-
vile. Va. Now, Midwestern travel
ers are trying out the meals on
the Pere Marquettes between
Chicago and Grand Island.
Only one car. with electric
warming ovens replacing stoves.
lis in operation. A second car Is
being equipped as the line moves
slowly into this method of service.
The Chicago, Rock Island g.
Pacific Railroad Co., in convert
ing its Chicago commissary to
prepare and quick-freeze meals,
reports that it is using a new
and scientific discovery in food
preparation and handling" Each
food item Is to be individually
frozen and individually restored to
serving temperatures. The service
was scheduled for introduction
this month on the Des Moines+
Rocket and the Peoria Rocket
out Of Chicago.
Other Economy MealS-While
present economy efforts are being
directed against the cost Of serv--
ing meals in the formalized diners
and passing at least part Of the
savings on to the passenger. the
thrifty traveller also is creating a
demand for the quick-lunch or
short-order type of meal. More
service Of this type is being de-
veloped.
It does not claim the distinction
of being the first to introduce such
service, but the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad was a pioneer in Offering
food in keeping with the coach
travellers purse. In the depression
year of 1880, when the elusive dol
lar bought lot. the B.. g. o. in
troduced what was then known
as the lunch-counter car. It spe-
cialized in sandwiches, coffee, milk
and such, and was hit from the
start. The car made its appear
ance on the, am. train to New
York, coincident with q low-rate
coach fare. Now known as the
Coffee Shoppe Car. it still is being
operated.
The Tavern Car of the B. & o.
Royal Blue between Washington
and New York dates back to the
summer Of 1895. A counter, run
ming lengthwise part Of a coach,
seats several persons. Diners may
also eat at tables. carrying their
own food, cafeteria style.
On the lines night train to-
Cleveland, a similar service is pro-
|vided in what is called the Snack
Car. Primarily, however, it is
spIiced into the train to provide
breakfast service the next morn
ing. Breakfast prices run between
rs cents and $1.70. In the tavern
cars, the average check for lunch
con and dinner is $1.65.
Prices Of c. & o. quick-frozen
meals in the dining car range
from 95 cents to 1920. and include
such entrees as chicken pot pie.
spaghetti and meat balls, braised
beef, swordfish and Swiss steak.
Other foods are to be introduced
as they are perfected and tested.
The Rock Islands program con-
templates such items as prime
ribs of beef, f1let mignon, young
tom turkey, chicken Maryland,
roast pork and lamb and baked
fish. There will be. according to!
the original announcement, Isl
separate menus for luncheon and
las many others for dinner.
Pennsy Prices - Full-courseI
meals and every nicely OF fine
restaurant service" with prices
in keeping, are offered in the
strikingly beautiful new dining
cars of the Congressional and the
Senator. Virtually the same in
vestment. running moderately into
six figures, was made in each Of
the new Coffee Shop cars, which