Florida “Beer Tasting” Train Rides

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Published: April 12, 2026

By: Adam Burns

In the middle of South Central Florida’s sugar country—far from the beaches, condos, and crowded theme parks—there’s a passenger train that feels like a little time machine. Sugar Express operates vintage-style excursions out of Clewiston, rolling across working railroad lines tied directly to the region’s agricultural economy. Instead of a “scenic railroad” built purely for tourism, you’re riding rails that still matter: the corridors used to move sugarcane from fields to processing, and freight to and from the larger rail network.

Sugar Express runs a variety of themed trips over the U.S. Sugar Railroad and the South Central Florida Express (SCXF), giving visitors a rare window into Florida’s rural interior—flat horizons, canals, wide skies, and fields that glow gold-green in late-day light.  Among the most popular “kick off the weekend” events is Sunset & Suds—an adults-focused, late-afternoon ride that blends countryside scenery with an onboard bar and a laid-back social vibe.

Sunset & Suds

Sunset & Suds is designed as a two-hour evening excursion—long enough to feel like an “experience,” but short enough to fit into a Friday or weekend night without turning into an all-day commitment. Sugar Express describes it as a “Happy Hour on Wheels,” timed for prime golden-hour views as the train cruises through sugarcane country around Clewiston.

A few things set it apart from other Sugar Express offerings:

Adults-only focus. The whole concept is built around relaxed evening energy—more “social lounge” than “family outing.”

Bar program onboard. Drinks are sold on the train (credit/debit only), with curated offerings and specialty cocktails through a partnership with The Tipsy Horseshoe.

Diesel-powered. For this specific excursion, Sugar Express notes that all Sunset & Suds trips are diesel-powered only—a key detail for railfans who might be hoping for steam on every run.

That last point matters because Sugar Express is well known for operating U.S. Sugar Steam Locomotive No. 148, a restored historic engine whose story is a big part of the brand. The railroad’s passenger equipment also leans heavily into heritage and restoration—so even on a diesel trip, the experience still carries that classic railroad flavor.

Where you board in Clewiston

Sunset & Suds departures are based in Clewiston, with boarding and parking listed at 900 W C Owen Avenue, Clewiston, Florida.

Clewiston itself is sometimes called “America’s Sweetest Town,” closely tied to the sugar industry and Lake Okeechobee. The station area is functional and event-oriented—think “excursion departure point” rather than a grand historic depot—so it’s smart to arrive early, get oriented, and settle in before boarding.

Schedule, departure times, and seasonal pattern

Sugar Express sets Sunset & Suds up as a late-afternoon departure that shifts with the seasons to better match sunset light:

January & February departures: 4:00 PM

March, April & May departures: 5:00 PM

The railroad also lists specific departure dates for the run set shown on its Sunset & Suds page: January 23, February 20, March 27, April 24, and May 15. (Dates can change season to season, but those are the published dates on the event page.)

The Ride

Sugar Express operates over a network that includes both the freight-oriented SCXF and the cane-hauling U.S. Sugar Railroad (USSC). The USSC system is described as about 120 miles of track, purpose-built to move sugarcane from fields to the processing plant in Clewiston—especially during harvest season.

From a passenger’s perspective, that translates into scenery that feels distinctly “interior Florida”:

• working sugarcane agriculture and related operations
• stretches of open farmland and long views to the horizon
• water features (streams, canals, and lakes)
• groves and rural tree lines (including palms and citrus in places)
• a real chance of spotting wildlife, with Sugar Express noting it’s not uncommon to see alligators along the route

And then, of course, there’s the sunset itself: that slow change from bright afternoon to amber light to deep color. On a train, the shifting light is half the entertainment—especially when you’re gliding through open country with minimal buildings to block the view.

Onboard drinks: “Suds” done right

The “Suds” half of the trip is not just a token beer cart. Sugar Express highlights a refreshed onboard bar concept with The Tipsy Horseshoe, offering beer, wine, exclusive cocktails, and other beverages available for purchase. Payment is credit/debit only, which is worth knowing before you arrive.

Practically speaking, that means Sunset & Suds is ideal for:

• couples who want a different kind of date night
• groups of friends starting the weekend together
• visitors who want a Florida experience that’s not beach- or theme-park-based
• railfans who enjoy the motion and atmosphere of classic passenger cars—but aren’t necessarily chasing a steam consist on this particular departure

Seating options and what you get in each class

Sugar Express sells Sunset & Suds in multiple “accommodation” categories, each with a different feel:

Open Air Car (Car 2374) – priced at $65

If you’re there for breeze, sound, and wide-open views, this is the vibe choice. (It’s also the one that will make sunset feel most immersive.)

Deluxe Coach (Cars 1002 and 843) – priced at $65

A classic comfortable coach experience—good for guests who want a relaxed ride with a more sheltered, seated feel.

First Class options

This is where the “evening out” feeling really kicks in. Sugar Express lists multiple First Class offerings for Sunset & Suds, including:

• Bay Biscayne lounge seat ($75)
• Bay Biscayne observation section seat ($105)
• Palmdale table package (seats four) ($340)
• Private Pullman Car “Clewiston” ($1,550)

The big perk: only First Class tickets include complimentary appetizers and light refreshments (everyone else can purchase beverages onboard).

The Train

One reason Sugar Express stands out is its equipment. The railroad notes its passenger consist is made up of historic cars ranging from 1911 through the mid-1950s, and that the train is climate controlled with onboard restrooms.

So even if you’re not a “train person,” the ride doesn’t feel like sitting on a bench in a hot tourist coach. It’s built to be comfortable—while still looking and feeling like classic rail travel.

Planning Your Trip

Florida has no shortage of attractions, but many of them rhyme with each other: drive, park, wait, ride, repeat. Sunset & Suds is refreshingly different. It’s rural, spacious, unhurried—and rooted in the real working landscape of the state. You’re not just seeing Florida; you’re seeing a part of Florida that most visitors pass by on the way to somewhere else.

And that’s the magic of Sugar Express in general: the railroad uses authentic corridors—lines tied to the sugar industry and regional freight—to create passenger experiences that feel both scenic and genuinely connected to place.  To learn more about Sunset & Suds and planning your trip please click here to visit the Sugar Express website.