Star Dinner Train contract being terminated

Columbia City leaders said the reason for terminating the contract with Columbia Star Dinner Train is due to the city not getting timely payments and reports.

Deputy City Manager Tony St. Romaine said they haven’t heard from the company since they sent the termination notice last week.

St. Romaine said he doesn’t think the owners are in town anymore.

The company has been in business since 2010, but it’s been a while since the two trains have been operating.

“The last time the Columbia Star Dinner Train actually ran an excursion on our tracks was almost two months ago,” said St. Romaine.

He said between utility bills and usage of the city’s equipment they owe them nearly $12,000.

Not only has the company not paid the city what it owes, but the city’s engineers said one train in service hasn’t had its required federal inspections.

The other train has been out of service since February.

He also said if the Columbia Star Dinner Train doesn’t start paying back the debt owed to the city by December 31, the city will take legal action.