You don't have to be a railroad buff to have fun with trains on your next road trip. Enjoy spending a night in a comfy Minnesota motel made out of refurbished freight cars. Take Napa Valley's "Wine Train," a perennial favorite with visitors to California's premier grape-growing region. All over the United States and Canada, lovingly maintained steam locomotives are still chugging along their historic routes. Tourist Trains 2003 is the guidebook hat will make sure you never drive on by without knowing what you're missing.

Now in its 38th edition, Tourist Trains 2003 was originally published by the Empire State Railway Museum in New York. The book features descriptions of more than 500 railroad-related attractions in 44 states and six Canadian provinces. Each listing features a black-and-white photo, driving directions, visitor hours, admission fees, special events, and information about other attractions nearby. Most of the locations feature scenic train rides, and all have collections of railroad memorabilia.

The discount coupons in the middle of the book are an excellent added value that can easily offset the price of the book. Discounts to 93 attractions include reduced fares on the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad in Washington, the Essex Steam Train in Connecticut, a murder mystery dinner ride on Florida's Seminole Gulf railroad, the Baltimore Streetcar Museum in Maryland, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Ohio, to name just a few. Whether you're looking for something unusual on your next road trip, or you're a diehard railroad buff, your glove compartment shouldn't be without a copy of Tourist Trains 2003.

Mark Sedenquist
7/03