The Black Diamond Express was the flagship passenger train of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. It ferried passengers from New York City to Buffalo from 1896 - 1959.
Its excellent service and food earned it the nickname "the Handsomest Train in the World" and because it took so many newlyweds to Niagara Falls, it was also called "the Honeymoon Express." The Black Diamond train line was abandoned after the train's last run in May 1959. Over decades, the Taughannock Falls State Park acquired the land and repurposed the train line with a bike and hiking path that travels from the train trestle at Taughannock upper falls down 8 miles to Cass Park in Ithaca. Our food truck is named in honor of the Black Diamond Express, resembling a vintage train car. Look for it on weekends at the base of the Inn at Taughannock grounds to the east where the entrance to the Gorge Trail is. The food truck is an offshoot of the Inn at Taughannock Falls' well-known restaurant. It serves light breakfast, sandwiches, and snacks as well as hot coffee and cold beverages.
The Black Diamond Express is available for event rental and makes a fun addition to any function in our event garden Enchantment. It is also available for offsite catered events. Proceeds from the Black Diamond Express finance the fireworks display provided by the Inn at Taughannock Falls' annual 4th of July Independence Day celebration. For more information, contact our event specialists at 607-387-7711 or [email protected]
