World's Top 25 Train Trips

[NMRXfan]

The Society of International Railway Travelers'  annual list of The World's Top 25 Trains Trips.

The United States and Mexico gave way to Norway and Britain this year on The Society of International Railway Travelers' (IRT) annual list of The World's Top 25 Trains Trips.

The list is based on the experience of IRT writers, editors, members and staff, with all trains and the trips meeting stringent standards for service, accommodation, scenery, itinerary, off-train experiences and passenger enjoyment. [...]

Owen Hardy, CEO of The Society of IRT which was set up 26 years ago, said two Norwegian routes appear this year -- the Flam Line, a steep mountain railway connecting a pristine fjord at the tiny town of Flam with Myrdal, a stop on the equally magnificent Oslo-Bergen Railway. New to the top 25 list is the British Pullman, which completes the British leg of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journeys between Paris and London.

But gone are North America's GrandLuxe Express and Sierra Madre Express which ran in Mexico's Copper Canyon, both closed down currently as victims of the economic downturn.

"The North American train closings had nothing to do with their quality," said Hardy in a statement. "Both were exceptional and extremely popular with American travelers."

Here is the list of the top 25 in geographical order:

North America

1. Canadian (Canada)

2. Royal Canadian Pacific (Canada)

3. Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)

South America

4. Andean Explorer (Peru)

5. Hiram Bingham (Peru)

Africa

6. Blue Train (South Africa)

7. Pride of Africa (Rovos Rail) (South Africa)

Asia/Indian Subcontinent

8. Palace on Wheels (India)

9. Eastern & Oriental Express (SE Asia)

10. Shangri-La Express (China/Tibet)

11. Toy Train (India)

12. Deccan Odyssey (India)

Europe

13. Danube Express (Central Europe, Turkey)

14. British Pullman (Great Britain)

15. El Transcantabrico (Spain)

16. Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express (Russia)

17. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)

18. Glacier Express (Switzerland)

19. Bernina Express (Switzerland)

20. Royal Scotsman (Scotland)

21. Flam Railway (Norway)

22. Bergen Railway (Norway)

Australia

23. Ghan (Australia)

24. Indian Pacific (Australia)

25. Sunlander (Australia)

Wow, not one American train trip makes the top 25.

 

[BaltACD]

Not surprising.

[Railway Man]

They are all excellent trips, as well they should considering the ticket prices.

Should be re-titled, "The Top 25 Trips Our Association Members Will Never Pay For So Long As We Continue To Provide Free Complimentary Press."

RWM

 

[NMRXfan]

I would've thought the Coast Starlight or the California Zephyr might've made the cut.

Silly me.

On the other hand, Canada's rail trips have always fascinated me.

Five best train trips in Canada

[henry6]

Oh, I appreciate these posts and understand that for some this is the crux of the glory of railroading.  But for those less fortunate to be world travlers, or able to ride Amtrak and VIA, don't overlook your backyard.  Many commuter operatons roll along lines or parts of lines once used by those glamorous limiteds of old.  Others open up new vistas of former freight only trackage or otherwise track once given up on entirely.  Scenery.  Real railroad type operations. Finding the photo locations.  Getting the "feel" of the railroad both old and new.  I organize such type trips in the NYC metropolitan area for railfans and find that so many fans have never taken the time to ride, to look, to see, to enjoy what's really there.  Combine lines like, Port Jervis, NY or Hackettstown, NJ to Penn Station, NY, then either Amtrak or  MNRR up the Hudson.  Or take the LIRR out to Montauk or Greenport.  Or the Corridor to Philly.  I have done some Philadelphia trips, too.  I am sure you can do the same in Chicago, Boston, LA, or anyother place there are commuter train operations. Fun trips, Inexpensive trips.  Very available trips: just open up your timetables.  Then ride to your hearts content. 

[Deggesty]

NMRXfan

Five best train trips in Canada

My wife and I have ridden the Canadian once eastbound and twice westbound; we plan to ride it eastbound again this year. We have thoroughly enjoyed every trip--the ride, the scenery, and the people we have met. We have also ridden the Ocean to and from Halifax, in Renaissance cars (no berths; only bedrooms are available in the sleepers) both times. We really prefer the Budd equipment (greater variety in sleeping accomodations and domes). I am not sure about the equipment assignment during the summer season, but in the off-season, at least, the Budd equipment leaves Montreal on Sundays and Thursdays, and leaves Halifax on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Johnny

[Railway Man]

NMRXfan

I would've thought the Coast Starlight or the California Zephyr might've made the cut.

Silly me.

 

Amtrak food, decor, comfort, and service is to these 25 trains like grade-school cafeteria stewed-spinach to corn-fed filet mignon.  Or Thunderbird to 25-year Maccallan single-malt.  Or a Greyhound bus to a chaueffered Rolls-Royce.

Doesn't mean it's not enjoyable, serviceable, and fun on Amtrak.  But it is not a luxury experience and these are.

RWM

[Dakguy201]

The thing to do is rent one of the private cars with a dome such as the Bella Vista and attach it to the Zephyr or the Starlight!

(Checking billfold)  On second thought ...

[TH&B]

I find these kind of things subjective.

 

Sometimes the best train rides can be comuter trains, or mixed trains or even subways.

 

When I was in Germany years ago, I spotted the "Orient Express" on the schedual, and as a train buff I made a point of being at the staion [Munich] to see it.  It turned out to be a rough looking eastern European train.  It looked like a refugee train. By no means very luxury and actualy the poorest looking train in Germany compared to all other trains I had seen. This was the early '80s.