Robert Menzies’ party train has been parked within driving distance of Pinehurst for a week.
Sean Zak
Bryson DeChambeau was hanging out in Pinehurst on Friday when Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” hit the airwaves.
LIV Golf event? No, this was the US Open, where the party train was parked next to the training center for all businesses.
ACRW87, The Locomotive Bar, is the brainchild of Robert Menzies, who owns a train and railroad that runs through the area here in Pinehurst. It’s a project he’s been working on for years, refurbishing old train cars into open-air lounges with flowing drinks. He doesn’t have a liquor license yet, but hopes to in the future. For now, his train is the best version of golf tournament hospitality this writer has ever seen.
Dewar’s and Sentry Insurance are just two of the USGA’s partners running the party train tonight this week. Wednesday night, it was rockin’, with more than 40 guests rocking the top level of the caboose, about 100 yards from US Open competitors polishing their swings. The train isn’t on the tournament grounds, but after guests have had a long day in the sun, they’ve been enjoying a steady flow of Bud Light, red wine, Michelob Ultra and Moscow mules — all served from digital silver taps. students. Pay for what you get.
Sean Zak
Although he can’t offer much of a recreational service to the public now, Menzies hopes the Locomotive Bar will be open to all the next time Pinehurst hosts the Open, in 2029, when men and women will play on consecutive weeks. Currently, his railroad runs daily trains from Raleigh, about 70 miles northeast of here. Called the “Open Express,” it’s operated by Amtrak, costs $25 round-trip and sits next to the party train. It arrives early and departs at 6:45 p.m. Menzies has promised the USGA that there will be no midday trains this week, in order to get a ticket to the tournament. Easy exchange!
The Open Express sold out almost immediately, Menzies said, because it takes the hassle out of running the tournament. No driving to the off-site parking lot in the field, then getting on the bus and walking hundreds of yards to the gate, only to orient yourself with a nearby map. This train stops within steps of Gate 10 and is close to the observation deck and range. And, no more rest for the journey home.
“You can drink on the way back, and you can sleep on the way back,” Menzies said with a smile. “I can’t do that in your car.”
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