My boss, who's something of a closet model railroader, has just accepted the presidency of our local community theater group. He and I are hatching a plot to have a mystery train at the railroad museum. He's got some references on interactive mystery theater, but other than that both he and I are completely ignorant of what's involved.

I'm thinking that a cooperative effort like this would benefit both the museum and the Players. I'm looking for input and info here. Who else does mystery trains? How well do they work? Any advice for a beginner?

Matt, I've seen them advertised by both Western Maryland Scenic and Fillmore & Western. You might try contacting them.

I was involved with a dinner train business some years ago and we did operate some "Murder Mystery" trains. They were popular and sold well. Unfortunately I don't recall many of the details as I wasn't directly involved with the entertainment aspect of the business. As I recall the performers mingled with the crowd before the train boarded, playing up their characters, both before and during the ride. We had a fairly lengthy trip and about halfway through the victim had to stagger through all the cars so everyone could see the action. The "detective" would then appear and quiz all the passengers for clues.

The performers had more than one plot line so we could alternate the stories. Thanks to this we had some repeat business; customers who enjoyed themselves would come back for a different show.

Here's a link to a performance group that might shed some additional light on the subject:

http://otterproductions.com/

Alan Maples

The Adrian & Blissfield RR in SE Michigan runs a murder mystery train, and so does the affiliated Charlotte (pronounced: Char- LOT) Southern near Lansing, MI.

Ironically, their website is: http://www.murdermysterytrain.com/ for more information. They've been running them for a few years now, and from what I hear from the people who have ridden them, it was a great time.

Good luck with your projects!
Dave Jandron
Michigan Transit Museum

We tend to alter weekends between the Sunset BBQ Dinner Train and the Murder Mystery Train.

Murder Mystery Trains start with the first act in or at the depot. Passengers then board the train with the actors for a 4.5 mile ride to the Soldier Hollow platform where they deboard for the second act. They reboard with the actors available for questions and general sleuthing (examination of the evidence, etc.) and a ride to milepost 7.5 for the runaround and return to the depot for the third act. Generally on the return leg of the trip, passengers will write out their solution for analysis by the "dead bodies" in the caboose--and with the arrival at the depot for the third act (revelation of the killer) and announcement of those getting the correct solution.

The acting troup has three or four different mysteries to present. Pizza, salad and soft drinks are served on the initial 4.5 mile leg of the trip. Further details can be provided by the office staff at Heber Valley Railroad...me? I'm just a red herring dressed up like a conductor...

sc 'doc' lewis