Train Travel/Rail Buffs

For travel in many parts of the world, choo-choos rock! Here we talk about train travel trips, great rail routes, antique trains, trainspotting... All aboard!

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The Great Orme Tramway is a vintage charmer in Wales

At just 206 metres (680 feet) above sea level, the Great Orme (below) might be thought of as rather a slight hill. But it looks as imposing as a far greater eminence, as it overlooks the seaside resort of Llandudno, on the north Welsh coast about a 4½-hour drive or train ride from London and just over an hour's drive and two hours by rail from Liverpool. It’s a limestone headland about two miles long and a mile wide where, back in the Bronze Age, copper was mined (but they only discovered…

Started by Tripatini

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Spectacular train rides without leaving home

You’re enjoying an adventure for the senses as you journey through the soaring Alps Mountains in Switzerland. You immediately understand why the magnificent view that surrounds you in Colorado inspired the words of “America the Beautiful.” You channel Harry Potter during a ride over the towering viaduct that the Hogwarts Express crossed in the popular film series. These and other equally dramatic, experiences can be yours while you travel no farther than the chair in front of your…

Started by Tripatini

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Riding Canada's Rocky Mountaineer Railroad

On the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff; the views out of the huge windows can be enjoyed from the comfortable seat of your carriage. I don't think we’ve ever had such VIP treatment on any form of service anywhere. From the moment the coach came to pick us up at the hotel, the level of care we received from the Rocky Mountaineer people was almost embarrassing. read post

Started by Tripatini

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3 convenient new tech features on India's railways

Rail travel is particularly popular in this enormous country, and over the years, Indian Railways has improved immensely in both service and technology. Here are three features which can be especially useful: read post

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Jools Stone August 26, 2010 at 1:15am

Hi railfans, I won't do these plugs too often I promise but thought you might like to take a look at my latest post, rounding up some great sites for planning rail journeys, some well known, some less so:
http://joolsstone.wordpress.com
Maureen Blevins August 18, 2010 at 12:21am

Union Station in Chicago is pretty big - but yes, it IS downtown. Depending where your hotel is it might be walkable. The Art Institue is wonderful, and if you want a romantic dining experience go to the 95th in the John Hancock building. Dinner on the 95th floor offers an incredible view and will be really special. If you want some other suggestions, tips, etc on what to see, email me privately. Too bad you don't have time for NewOrleans!
Gregory Alan Gross August 17, 2010 at 11:36pm

What you've heard about the US, sadly, is true, Jools, and it becomes more true the farther west you go. But even here, rail travel is pretty much city center to city center, and a lot of Americans fed up with air travel are waking up to that.
Jools Stone August 17, 2010 at 9:57pm

That's what I like to hear, cheers Greg! Just that I've heard that the US is a very car-orientated place in general, but that's good to know.
Gregory Alan Gross August 17, 2010 at 9:54pm

@Jools...in most instances, transport from the train station into downtown will be a non-issue; you'll already be IN downtown.

One more reason to love trains.
Jools Stone August 17, 2010 at 9:41pm

Thanks Maureen, yeah 2 sleeprs, one from NYC, one from Chicago. Will spend 3 or 4 days in each city too. What are the transport links into downtown from these stations like or are they walkable anyway? Really looking forward to it actually. I would make more stops - New Orleans, Memphis, Boston and others - but my fiance is not overly keen on a lot of rushing about from one to another!
Maureen Blevins August 17, 2010 at 6:35pm

Congratulations Jools! I'm assuming you're getting sleepers? I've done coach Reno to Chicago several times when I'm pinching pennies, but the sleepers are so much more fun - not to mention comfortable for sleeping. Chicago is awesome! Hope you have some time there. As is San Francisco - delightful!
Ed Wetschler August 16, 2010 at 5:13pm

I'm requesting some comments on three famous rail journeys. Please see Tripatini's Ask A Travel Expert section for details.
Jools Stone August 16, 2010 at 2:20pm

Hey Greg, thanks for that, I don't mind a short bus trip. I'm just back actually from taking the journey voted the most best in the world by Wanderlust readers. The West Highland line from Glasgow to Mallaig in the Scottish Highlands, beautiful almost all the way. Are you guys on fbook? Always keen to connect with other train travellers / bloggers, we're a dying breed in this age of budget flights I think! My page there is http://www.facebook.com/pages/He-Thought-of-Trains/115562005163378?... Come over and say hello some time if you want to. Cheers
Gregory Alan Gross August 16, 2010 at 8:39am

@Jools...The Amtrak California Zephyr is the scenic run you're referring to, and it's very scenic. The winter run through the Rocky Mountains is really spectacular. Just one thing: The Zephyr does not pull into San Francisco. The east-west run terminates in Emeryville, a suburb of Oaklamd, just across San Francisco Bay from The City. Sadly, your arrival in San Francisco will be either on a BART subway train or an Amtrak bus.