Until the late 19 th Century, railroad trains did not have dining cars. Train stations had restaurants or food stands, but the food was often of poor quality. When the train stopped for water or fuel, passengers had to get off to get a bite to eat. It could be a hurried affair as passengers raced to get their food and get back on the train before it left without them. As the railroads began to stretch across the vast western landscapes, with few stops offering food, the railroads realized that