dining car

noun

1. a railroad car equipped with tables and chairs, in which meals are served.

dining car

noun

1. a railway coach in which meals are served at tables Also calledrestaurant car

Word History and Origins

Origin of dining car¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

The company’s decision in fall 2019 to end the traditional dining car on some trains ignited a firestorm of complaints from railroad passengers, aficionados and even some members of Congress.

From Washington Post

Train advocates and passengers have pleaded with Amtrak to bring back the traditional dining car across the 15-route network of overnight trains, saying it is iconic to the American rail experience.

From Washington Post

The communal dining car has long been one of rail enthusiast Arthur House’s favorite parts of long-distance rail travel, although that experience has been significantly curtailed during the pandemic.

From Washington Post

In “From Russia With Love,” released in 1963, Sean Connery as James Bond orders grilled sole in the dining car of a train bound for Trieste in northeastern Italy.

From Washington Post

One adjustment Amtrak has made during the pandemic is serving meals in sleeping-car passengers’ quarters, rather than having people come to a dining car at mealtime.

From Washington Post

The Sud Express dining car served a seven-course lunch, paced gracefully to last most of the journey.

From The Daily Beast

The seating looked like what many modern trains use in their dining car, minus the tables.

From The Daily Beast

Then it clouded down, and they ate lunch while the rain dashed furiously on the windows of the dining car.

From Project Gutenberg

"Our next stop will be the dining car," said Davy as they followed the crowd out the main entrance.

From Project Gutenberg

The run to Ithaca took several hours, and they lunched at noon in the dining car.

From Project Gutenberg

"First call to dinner in the dining-car," he boomed out in a heavy bass.

From Project Gutenberg

When I went in the next car I found the same kind dining car conductor I have before mentioned.

From Project Gutenberg