Colorado Rails & Cocktails

Memories Aboard the American Orient Express with Steve Patterson
Delve into an evening of captivating stories and vivid photography as author and lecturer Steve Patterson brings a wealth of firsthand experience from his years aboard the American Orient Express, once America’s premier rail cruise train. From its humble beginnings in the 1990s to its peak in the early 2000s, Patterson served as Lecturer and Assistant Tour Guide on 47 memorable journeys. 

A native of East Tennessee and retired from a distinguished 42-year career with the Santa Fe railway and its successor BNSF, Patterson’s passion for rail travel spans continents. He and his wife Maxine have called Arvada home for 44 years, and his deep connection to rail history is evident through his long-standing membership at the Colorado Railroad Museum, where he can often be found volunteering in the museum library on Fridays.

Join us for an evening of nostalgia and insight as Patterson shares tales from the rails, reflecting on the American Orient Express’s transformation into GrandLuxe Rail Journeys and its ultimate fate. His captivating presentation, accompanied by his personal photography displayed on the Museum’s big-screen Video Wall, promises an immersive journey into life aboard this iconic train. This program is a must-attend for enthusiasts of rail history and those captivated by the glamour and intrigue of luxury rail travel.

Admission: $20 Adults. Ages 21+ only. Admission includes two beverages of your choice (beer, wine, or soda) and snacks (provided by The Cheese Ranch Deli). Presentation begins promptly at 7:00 PM, bar opens at 6:30 PM.