A train ride is a tremendous form of travel. Coincidentally, several of the world’s most stunning destinations are also home to the most scenic train rides. These expeditions range from a small number of hours to more than a week but the expenditures depend on how it is done.
Even though we have planes and cars, this doesn’t mean the excellent conservative train ride is obsolete. There are still people there who use trains especially for urban commutes.
Here are some of the most stunning train rides that are now dwelling in our planet:
GLACIER EXPRESS FROM ZERMATT TO ST. MORITZ (Switzerland)
Located in Switzerland and may be prominent for the excellence and reliability of its train.
The Glacier Express is the ‘world’s slowest express train’ and travels along one of the most beautiful stretches of the world. It is linking the famous holiday resorts of Davos, Pontresina or St.Moritz to Zermatt.
Experience the one-of-a-kind mountain landscape of the Swiss Alps on this spectacular train journey.
The train chugs through 91 tunnels and crosses 291 bridges on its seven-hour journey.
DURANGO & SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD (cOLORADO)
This train is featured in the 1969 movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a roughly 1882 coal-fired, steam-powered train that chugs its way at 18 miles per hour and fueled by six tons of coal and 10,000 gallons of water through the steep mountain passes between Durango and Silverton in Southwest Colorado that’s been used since 1880s… Imagine, it is older than most of us and is still functioning properly.
It is a remarkable old-fashioned train. The peak of the trip is when the train emerges from a tunnel and the lookout reveals a 400-foot drop to the river below.
TRANZALPINE FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO GREYMOUTH (NEW ZEALAND)
Traveling New Zealand by rail can be a great way to see both the North and South Islands of the nation.
Winding its way from the garden-loving city of Christchurch over the Canterbury Plains, through the river Avon to the rugged wilds of Greymouth , the TranzAlpine crosses the South Island of New Zealand in 4.5 hours, the route is arguably at its most attractive as it trundles past the Waimakariri River gorge in the Southern Alps, before terminating at Greymouth on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast , followed by dramatic alpine viaducts leading to Arthur’s Pass.
After Arthur’s Pass, the train heads into the Otira Rail Tunnel, created by blasting though 5.3 miles of solid rock. If you want pure scenery, here’s what you have to try.
The majority of passengers of the TranzAlpine Express are all about the journey, rather than the destination.
TALYLLYN RAILWAY (WALES)
The Talyllyn Railway is a narrow-gauge preserved railway in Wales running for 9 mph, 14.5-mile round-trip ride from Tywyn on the Mid-Wales coast to Nant Gwernol near the village of Abergynolwyn.
In 1866, the line was opened to carry slate from the quarries of Bryn Eglwys to Tywyn, and considered to be the first narrow gauge railway in Britain authorized by the Act of Parliament to carry passengers using steam haulage.
The railway has operated as a tourist attraction since it was preserved. In 1976, it expanded its rolling stock through acquisition and engineering programmed to build new locomotives and carriages.
It was the Talylyn Railway that inspired the Reverend W.V. Awdry to write the “Thomas the Tank Engine” books.
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER FROM BANFF TO VANCOUVER (CANADA)
The journey starts in Vancouver while some in Seattle & some in the Rocky Mountains in the Banff or Jasper areas.
They offer a lovely send off in Vancouver, Canada you board the train with bag pipes playing in the background and staff waving goodbye as the train’s locomotive propel us gently forward to start the journey.
It is approximately a two-day rail journey from the mountain resort town of Banff in Alberta through the majestic Canadian Rockies to the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. Indulge on GoldLeaf Service and you’ll enjoy plentiful cooked-to-order breakfasts and lunches, served in the dining car and unlimited cocktails and snacks served by personable hosts on the observation level.
The passing scenery is just as irresistible.
One fun act: In 2009, The Bachelorette filmed onboard the train.
ROYAL SCOTSMAN (SCOTLAND)
The Royal Scotsman is Scotland’s own luxury cruise train, offering 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 night tours of the Scottish Highlands is an exclusive 36-passenger train. This railway is run by Belmond, the new name for the Orient-Express Group who also runs the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and equally luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express.
Those who have experienced it say that it’s a pretty unbeatable combination of superb scenery on Britain’s most amazing train routes, country-house all-inclusive luxury with great food, wine & service plus some extremely well-chosen off-train excursions. A trip on the Royal Scotsman doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a special occasion or an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a lot of Scotland in a very short time; you really won’t be disappointed.
Making journeys from Edinburgh around the Scottish Highlands, the vintage train passes serene lochs (lakes) and glens, ancient castles, babbling streams, and more pristine green countryside than you ever imagined possible.
If you’re someone who loves history, small towns, photography, and the outdoors, you’ll probably love every journey of it. The train ride isn’t for someone looking to do something extremely active and fast-paced, it’s pretty laid-back and relaxing. If you’re looking for adventure, this is a good idea as well.
Also, keep in mind that the views offered by the train ride cannot be found any other way. Driving, on the other hand, is a much different route. Although it’s beautiful, it cannot offer the pristine wilderness views that the train can.
What are you waiting for? Visit now and experience what you only see in the movies!
