What is this sign-up for?

This form signs you up for a ticket-release reminder only; booking is not guaranteed—reservations open on a first-come, first-served basis.

When does the train run?

Events are held select Saturdays from April through September; exact dates are released seasonally.

Are restrooms available on board?

No, there are no restrooms on the train; please use facilities before boarding at the meeting point.

Children can ride but every rider—including infants—must have a full-price ticket; the event is marketed as ideal for adults.

How early should I arrive?

Check in at least 20 minutes before scheduled departure; boarding closes 10 minutes prior to departure time.

Is there a cancellation or exchange fee?

A $2 per ticket exchange or transfer fee is noted; contact the operator for full cancellation or refund policies.

BBQ Dinner Train in Winnsboro: Scenic Historic Rail Ride with Southern Buffet

The Fairfield County BBQ Dinner Train offers a relaxed, scenic 5-mile excursion through historic Fairfield County in Winnsboro, South Carolina. Departing from 110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro, SC 29180, this roughly two-and-a-half-hour outing combines slow-rolling rail travel, narrated local history, and a classic Southern buffet served in a climate-controlled banquet hall. The result is an evening that’s social and low-key, ideal for couples, small groups, and travelers who want to experience regional character without a long hike or complex logistics. Guests board an open-air observation car that allows unobstructed views as the train threads past crop fields, hedgerows, and the weathered ruins of sharecropper cabins. Along the route, you’ll pass several historic granite buildings—structures built from stone quarried in Fairfield County and hauled along these same rails—giving the ride a tangible link to local industry and nineteenth-century transportation. Narration highlights these features, helping visitors connect the landscape to the human stories behind it. Seating on board is arranged around round dining tables that seat eight; after the short scenic stretch, the train carries passengers to a climate-controlled banquet hall where a buffet awaits. The menu is straightforward Southern comfort: pulled pork BBQ, creamy macaroni and cheese, green beans, coleslaw, dinner rolls, and banana pudding, accompanied by sweet and unsweet tea, lemonade, and water. The meal fosters conversation and lingering at the table—this is a dining experience designed to be enjoyed slowly while surrounded by place. This event runs select Saturdays from April through September; sign-ups through the reminder list are for ticket-release notifications only, and reservations are released on a first-come, first-served basis. Practical notes are important: check in at least twenty minutes before departure and plan to be aboard before the ten-minute boarding cutoff. There are no restrooms on the train, and all riders—including infants—must have a full-price ticket. A nominal $2 exchange or transfer fee applies per ticket. For visitors to Winnsboro and neighboring towns, the BBQ Dinner Train is an attractive way to see the rural South Carolina Piedmont without a long field excursion. It’s not a wilderness trek, but it is an outdoor-forward, historically informed way to travel through working landscape, enjoy regional cuisine, and support local heritage rail operations. Bring curiosity, an appetite, and a camera for close-range views of granite masonry, quiet fields, and the small structures that populate Fairfield County’s rail corridor. Reservations can be competitive after release days, so sign up for the ticket-release reminder to get an early alert. Consider pairing the dinner train with an afternoon walk in historic downtown Winnsboro or visits to nearby quarries and heritage sites. The gentle pace and local storytelling make this ride a smart option for travelers seeking an approachable slice of Piedmont history today.