But it doesn't include meals in the dining car (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
train fare
'dining car' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'but it doesn't include meals in' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is found within the answer.
'meals' could be 'fare' and 'fare' is found within the answer.
'in' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ra' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for train fare that I've seen before include "the cost of going" , "Perhaps commute cost" .)