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 devilish delights of Ecuador´s "Devil´s Nose Train"

efenzi by José Juan Adamuz If there's a single means of transport today that most preserves some of the old-time romance of travel, it surely must be rail travel, thanks to its close-to-the-ground, human scale, and in many countries, rolling stock which is literally vintage. Latin America is a good example - though these days intercity rail travel in the region is limited, the trains still in service run through some lovely landscapes, and many are throwbacks to the past. A prime example is…

Started by Iberia Airlines

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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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Gregory Alan Gross October 29, 2010 at 11:17am

@NorthesastNews...The reason "the United States can't do any of this" at this point is two-fold. First, we have not invested in high-speed passenger rail in this country in any truly meaningful way from the time the Shinkansen debuted in 1964 until now (and no, Amtrak's Acela does NOT count). The reason we haven't is because Congress, at the behest of a variety of anti-rail lobby groups (airlines, aircraft makers, highway construction, auto, oil), have been trying to kill off passenger rail in this country for decades. The tables are only now starting to turn...and they may yet be reversed if certain political forces get their way.
Andrea Spirov October 29, 2010 at 10:33am

Hi everyone =)
When travelling, we always try to take the train. Our latest post is an interview with fellow Tripatini member Jools Stone, featuring his thoughts on rail travel, early experiences, and why he believes more advocacy is in order. Cheers, Andrea
Northeast News October 27, 2010 at 3:13am

Today was a good day for train lovers, but with a caveat. China unveiled the fastest bullet train in the world, and I read that Japan is extending its bullet trains both to the north and to the south. The caveat: Apparently, the United States can't do any of this. Why not?
David Paul Appell October 10, 2010 at 9:09pm

Not cold, just an unfortunate fact of life in 2010 and beyond. I pray we never find out.
Northeast News October 10, 2010 at 9:05pm

I think you're right, David, so they may yet hit Amtrak. This may sound cold, but the reason Madrid got hit first was that they have a better train system.
David Paul Appell October 10, 2010 at 8:52pm

True, there are undoubtedly higher-visibility targets, but given that it's thought that public transit int he U.S. and Europe is counted by many experts among probable targets (eg the NYC subway system), it's hard not to conclude that such a high-profile train corridor is by no means out of the question.
Jools Stone October 10, 2010 at 8:50pm

Well let's hope it never happens. Madrid was not so long ago and pretty horrific. Meantime I have only found one, rather dry, article on this ProtectRail in an industry journal, so if anyone finds anything else I'd be grateful for the heads up.
Gregory Alan Gross October 10, 2010 at 8:46pm

David..the difference between "us" and "them" in the choice of terrorism targets reflects the difference in aims and priority. We think in terms of actual, direct impact, inflicting big numbers of casualties, maximum damage, maximum weakening of an enemy's effectiveness. They're going not just for actual effect, but even more for psychological impact. They want to be seen striking blows against the symbols of Western wealth and power, high-profile targets with instant name and visual recognition worldwide. And Amtrak, for better or worse, doesn't really fit that bill. Yet.
Jill Wood October 10, 2010 at 8:08pm

About time they looked to protecting Euro rail network - it's such an easy target, IMHO...
David Paul Appell October 10, 2010 at 8:05pm

Gregory, grimly funny -- and quite possibly true -- but still, an attack on, say, an Amtrak train between Washington DC and NYC, with all its business and political types in attendance, would nonetheless make a pretty big splash, I would think.