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The 50s Train Diner is the best kind of Americana.

Part of a tourist trap, it may be, but how often can you enjoy a burger and slice of strawberry rhubarb pie on a vintage 1950s train? The lunch counter is classic and the burgers, unlike most stops of late, are actually good! The pie connoisseur may be disappointed by the thick crust and exceptionally sweet pie but, hey, you can’t win every time.

Train station entrance to the 50’s Train Diner.

Diners enter through the cafeteria car. Glass fronted cases offer slices of pie and cold sandwiches but those looking for a bigger meal can order warm fair at the register.

No, the train does not operate any more.  The cars remain stationary and most of the views have been blocked out by a near opaque glazing on the windows. But the entrance through a train station set does help make up for the immobile vehicle.

Next door is the 1880s Town, which is thoroughly missable.  If you haven’t seen a historic, preserved period town in the last week, then this former filming set might be an interesting stand in.  But like Wall Drug, 60 miles west on the I-90, kids may find more to excite them.  If you need to placate some rambunctious young-uns on a road trip, the attraction is several acres of dirt roads for kids to race up and down.  You can even rent them some costumes for the occasion and feed a camel.

The cafeteria kitchen takes up half of the first car, where people order lunch at the counter and meals are prepared.

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to order some strawberry rhubarb pie. My meticulous driver opted for cherry.
Perhaps our standards were a little lowered after the dismal excuse for a hamburger that we experienced in Deadwood, but this burger was down-right tasty.

Lexi lives in a truck camper down by the river.

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