Best Train Rides in the U.S. and Abroad

Grand Canyon Railway

Photo: Sideshow Bruce

Some rails to float if we dont feel similar to driving, flying, sailing, biking, or hiking.

TRAIN TRAVEL equates to dual things to me:

  • either 1. bumming conflicting Europe upon the Eurail, riding third class, sleeping bag rolled out upon the floor for the overnights, deciphering those used yellow report charts during each station, 23:48 Ventimiglia -> 06:11 Port Bou.
  • or 2. historic tracks, mostly slight gauge, repackaged for the tourist experience, similar to La Trochita we rode from Esquel to Nahuelpan as well as behind with wood-burning stove, Mapuche guitarist, as well as mate.

Both have been novel to me, probably because trains only arent finished in complicated America. we might even have the special outing to float the great one. Below have been the small which would be in the running.

U.S. trains

BootsnAll threw out 7 Best American Train Trips under $100 final fall. Heres what they came up with:

Silverton-Durango Narrow Gauge

Silverton-Durango line / Photo: shellorz

1. Grand Canyon Railway Runs from Williams, AZ, to the hire during the canyons South Rim.
2. Alaska Glacier Discovery Train Ive never ridden this Anchorage-to-Whittier train, but we have spent time upon the Kenai Peninsula as well as in the Chugach National Forest. Would be cool to see the glaciated landscape by the sight window.
3. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Im starting to love the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Might have to check out this train, which leaves from Bryson City, subsequent time Im town. Bonus which the repository is conflicting the street from the new Nantahala Brewing.
4. Skunk Train Built to transport downed redwoods, this re-purposed line runs from Fort Bragg upon the California seashore by Jackson State Forest to Northspur. Could be the good counterpoint to the Avenue of the Giants.
5. Amtraks Lake Shore Limited This ones some-more practical than the rest, the lane connecting Chicago with NYC as well as Boston along the shores of the Great Lakes.
6. Silverton-Durango Narrow Gauge Ive essentially been upon this one. Originally the mining train, it now transports tourists as well as hikers/climbers by the mountains of southwest Colorado.
7. Arkansas & Missouri Railroad The A&M hauls both passengers as well as freight, one of the final lines in the U.S. to do so. It runs from Fort Smith, AR, north to Monett, MO.

Caledonian Sleeper train

Photo: Philandthehounds {A Grandad again}

Trains abroad

The list next of The worlds biggest sight trips is courtesy of The Guardian. Compare it to ours from behind in 2008: The 10 Most Spectacular Train Journeys in the World.

1. Trans Siberian A classic which Im sure many people have been familiar with. For some-more info, check out Carlos glorious pieces Why You Should Travel Independently upon the Trans Siberian Railway as well as Trans Siberian Sidetrips: How to Break Your Train Ride.
2. Caledonian Sleeper This overnighter connects London with Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands.
3. Venice-Simplon Orient Express This one heads out of London in the conflicting direction as well as keeps upon truckin compartment it hits Venice. A one-way ticket will set we behind 1,595.
4. Bernina Express Its complexly engineered trail by the Swiss Alps as well as in to Italy makes it one of the slowest expresses in Europe. Im guessing the views hav! e up for it.
5. Nakorn Ping Express For those headed from Bangkok up to Chiang Mai, this is the cheaper choice than the oppulance Eastern & Oriental Express. And the windows look out upon the same rainforest as well as mountains.

Cutting edge

Despite all the narrow-gauge throwbacks listed above, record is relocating in the alternative approach too.

Shanghai Maglev

Aboard the Maglev / Photo: tallkev

Japans bullet trains have been aged news. In 2006, we rode the Maglev sight which connects Shanghai to the categorical airport.

Magnetic force keeps it hovering only on top of the track, as well as during which time (and probably still) it was the fastest newcomer sight in the world, attack 431km/h (268mph) during the top limit. The 30km journey took the small over 7 minutes.

The latest news in sight travel involves talks in between the British as well as Chinese governments over the building the whole of the high-speed line to link London as well as Beijing. According to one recent article, the 5,000 miles would be traversed in dual days. No, still not as fast as air travelbut were getting there.

Community Connection

Before we go, read up upon 6 Tips For Pain-Free Train Travel.


Comments

Chris said…
Thank you for mentioning our train trips article. Would you consider linking to it as well?

http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/09-11/7-best-american-train-trips-under-100.html
August 3, 2010 at 9:24 AM
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