The Napa Valley Wine Train, a memorable food and wine experience in one of the world’s most famous wine regions, evokes the history and spirit of luxury rail travel with its gorgeously restored rail cars, is proud to debut its first clean energy locomotive.
The newest member of the fleet, dubbed the “1864” in honour of the rail line’s founding year, features a new, made in the USA, EPA Tier-4-compliant engine manufactured by Rolls-Royce and commissioned through the Knoxville Locomotive Works. Three additional engines are being commissioned and will be delivered by the end of 2024 with the goal of completely transitioning the fleet to the new tier-4 engines by the beginning of 2025.
“The arrival of this locomotive marks the 160th anniversary of the Napa Valley Railroad, which began in 1864 with Sam Brannan’s vision of a rail line that would connect the wider Bay Area to Napa with what was then, and still is today, a luxurious mode of transportation into the heart of our valley”, said Nathan Davis, general manager of the Napa Valley Wine Train. “While we eagerly embrace clean, cutting-edge technology, we celebrate and remain committed to the historic nature of our Pullman passenger cars as a window into the past. Our team of engineers, conductors, and repair and maintenance technicians embrace the challenge of restoring and maintaining our living history while expertly operating new, state-of-the-art technology”.
About the Locomotive
The advanced locomotive is American made and was built by KLW in Knoxville, Tennessee, with the MTU Series 2000 engine manufactured by the Rolls-Royce product and solution brand based in Aiken, South Carolina, known for its worldwide experience in developing highly reliable and clean diesel engines.
The 1864 engine features cutting-edge technologies that deliver the cleanest, safest, and most competitive solutions for environmental stewardship and significantly lower the carbon footprint. KLW locomotives meet or exceed the current Tier 4 emissions classifications of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and feature very low exhaust emissions combined with low fuel consumption. Meeting the most stringent air quality standard for locomotives, this investment signifies the Napa Valley Wine Train’s commitment to the future, while at the same time paying respect to Napa’s storied past.
The new locomotive will be nearly silent and odorless as exhaust is practically nonexistent allowing guests to sit back and enjoy the stunning panoramic vistas undeterred. The paint of the new train features Glittering Champagne, Grape Leaf Green and Bordeaux Red paying homage to the Napa Valley Wine Train’s ongoing efforts to not lose sight of its storied past and what it took to get to this historic moment.
Enjoy Napa’s gorgeous scenery year-round aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train
About the Napa Valley Wine Train
One of the few active historic passenger railroads in the United States, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers an engaging and memorable experience that echoes the glory days of train travel, with fine dining service, multi-course meals cooked to order, Napa Valley scenery and ultimate relaxation aboard exquisitely restored antique rail cars.
The Napa Valley Wine Train holds a level 1 Green Key Meetings rating. It has been identified as a destination that has taken first steps to reduce environmental impacts by analyzing its meetings and conference operations and identifying opportunities for improvement. An action plan focusing on resource conservation and waste minimization has been established, and is supported by a firm commitment to continual improvement.
In 2015, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. — a collection of luxury hotels and resorts — purchased the historic and iconic Napa Valley Wine Train expanding its portfolio to include attractions in the destinations its hotels call home.
