Scenic Travel by Train

railroad, railroad line, railway, railway line, railway system - line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

A heritage railway is a type of railway, which is operated as a living history to re-create or preserve railway scenes of the past. Often heritage railways are old railway lines preserved in a state which depicts a certain period, or periods, in the history of railway systems

Heritage railway lines contain historic rail infrastructure that has been substituted or made obsolete in modern railway transit systems. Historical installations, such as hand operated points, water cranes, and rail fastened with hand hammered rail spikes, are characteristic features of heritage lines. Apart from mere tourist railways, which carry mainly tourists and use only modern installations and vehicles, heritage lines' infrastructure naturally creates views and soundscapes of the past while operated.

Creating passages for trains up steep hills and through mountain regions offers many obstacles which call for special technical solutions. Special steep grade railway -technologies and extensive tunneling may be employed. The use of narrow gauge allows tighter curves in the track and offers a smaller structure gauge and tunnel size. In high altitudes, the difficulties in construction and logistics as well as limited urban development and demand of transport combined with special rolling stock requirements has meant that many mountain railways have been left unmodernized

Luxury trains are special trains that are specifically designed to offer an elegant train ride, and evoke a strong sense of association in terms of history and heritage. Luxury trains operate in several countries and offer a luxurious and comfortable traveling option. Whereas some luxury trains (such as the Orient Express) promote tourism in major destinations of an entire continent, other trains take guests on a long leisure ride, cutting across state borders but remaining limited to one specific country.

Scenic Rail Tours

Some destinations contain such jaw-droppingly beautiful sights, you have to experience it to believe it. Alaska’s tidewaters and lush Denali National Park. The unspoiled natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies and its verdant river valleys, rushing rapids, and towering mountain peaks as your travel deep into the heart of rainforest by train. America’s western frontier. Europe’s alpine lakes and mountains. North America’s national parks, filled with glaciers, rock formations, lush flora, incredible wildlife and extraordinary geothermal activity. The sun-kissed south of France and Germany’s Rhine Valley. Embark on a scenic tour by train and travel to astonishingly beautiful destinations that are sure to impress and leave you with colorful memories to last a lifetime

10 of the Most Scenic Train Rides In North America

The mountains, seascapes, and valleys will take your breath away

Old World-style train travel becomes even more romantic when combined with stunning scenery.