Inside the Swanky New Private Train Cars Coming to Union Station

Travelers with money to spare can step back into the golden era of railroad travel in Amtrak’s luxurious new private train cars. The cars, complete with bedrooms, lounge areas and big windows that take in sweeping views of the country, are limited to only a handful of major train stations, and Denver’s Union Station is one of the final stops.

Halloway, a new company based in Delaware, recently began accepting bookings for these exclusive train cars on trips from Los Angeles to Oakland and from Oakland to Denver, where riders will get off at Union Station.

Halloway isn’t operating its own locomotive, but attaching luxury railcars to the back of Amtrak’s scheduled trains, as is common with private-car owners, who pay uncommon prices for the privilege. The Denver trip is part of Amtrak’s California Zephyr Route, with passengers aboard for two days and one night. Passengers booking with Halloway will ride on the Evelyn Henry, a private sleeper car built in 1954 for Union Pacific Railroad.

According to Halloway, the Evelyn Henry includes “five double bedrooms convertible into four spacious suites and a master suite — ‘The Grand Canyon’ —with a queen bed, en suite bath, and generous wardrobe.” Those who book the Evelyn Henry also get exclusive access to the Warren R. Henry, a vista dome lounge car, as well as chef-prepared meals, and coffee and newspaper service in the morning.

“It’s a private, all-inclusive rail adventure across some of America’s most spectacular landscapes,” which include sights like the Bay Area, Sierra Nevada and Utah’s high desert, Halloway’s description notes. And then Colorado enters the picture on the second day, in baller fashion: “Enjoy breakfast in the vista dome lounge of the Warren R. Henry as the train ascends the Rocky Mountains — snow-capped summits, dramatic cliffs, and winding river canyons unfolding right beside you.”

You can book the Henry train package from Oakland to Denver for $18,500, with groups of up to six people allowed; the first train takes off on Friday, January 16. For comparison, an “elevated package” for a six-person trip on the Canyon Spirit (the rebranded Rocky Mountaineer), another luxury rail service in Colorado, would cost just shy of $14,000. Canyon Spirit service includes meals, views, beds and amenities, but the cars are not private.

Interested in buying a ticket aboard the Evelyn Henry, or just want a peek inside, because it’s the closest you’ll ever get? Check out these photos from Halloway.