Elbe’s Pride & Joy:
By Sue Sawyer
It’ll be worth your drive to Elbe Fridays and Saturdays, to a small town several miles past Eatonville, to sing karaoke on an old (1938) restored railroad car affectionately known as “Side Track” lounge. The Web site, www.rrdiner.com, will fill you in on its history and amenities including the owner’s vast collection of karaoke song titles as part of his built-in karaoke system.
With Meagan (Karaoke With A Touch Of Class) on board conducting Friday’s event, she adds another group of her songs and the different tray versatility so singers can bring their own personal discs as well.
Karaoke starts at 7:00pm and continues to closing (around 1:00am) and the rotation keeps moving just as if the train were steadily rolling down the tracks. No problem with sound either. The speakers are mounted to the ceiling so the sound travels evenly through the long railroad car, a lounge with a fully-stocked a bar in the center. Overstuffed booths are in line on both sides with an aisle down the middle. On one end is a dance floor, a dart machine and an area for karaoke singers to perform. The lounge is attached to the dining car, which boasts secret family recipes and if you’re too tired to drive home, there are a few caboose cars also attached that make up the famous Hobo Inn of Elbe. Non-summer rates are very reasonable.
The dining car is rich in tradition with its decor and seating. Breakfast is served, as well as lunch and dinner. Portion sizes are fit for a lumberjack. If you have a sweet tooth, homemade shortcakes of different varieties are available; Oreo peanut butter bread, fudge turtle cakes, different fruit cobblers, plus old-fashioned ice cream sundays. The kitchen fryers are working all night serving up heaping platters of fries, chicken, and other finger foods available until closing. One portion is enough for four city folk to ‘nosh on. There are enough beer and wine choices for most palates for liquid courage. The atmosphere is very friendly in each railcar and singers have an audience to cheer them on. A lot of regulars don’t sing, but sure appreciate those that do.
During the karaoke rotation, “Buddy Holly” (Ryan Coleman) and his manager, Stephanie, showed up fresh from a live daytime performance in the area. Ryan will be appearing March 12-14 at the Auburn Avenue Theater in Auburn live with a band and other timely bopper look-a-likes for the “Buddy Holly Show.” He wowed the crowd with “That Will Be The Day.” Other singers included Jodie “Drowning In A Sea Of Love” while Tony went “Whisky Bent and Hell Bound.” Donnie carried off “Folsom Prison Blues” and Cathy had fun with “I’m Here For The Party” while “John’s Song Sung Blue” sounded just like Neil’s.
The owners realize most folks drive a distance to come to their establishment. They are there to warmly greet and meet – do what they can to make your visit memorable. Keep watching their Web site for their active summer schedule, www.rrdiner.com.
They’ve built a large outdoor beer garden and the establishment sponsors many of the area’s outdoor festival activities. For those who like to call first before venturing out, the 888-RR-DINER is toll free or locally, 253-370-9663 will connect to Elisa Fruzzetti, the “All-Aboard” conductor. The Mt. Rainier RR Company is located at 54106 Mountain Highway, Elbe, WA.
