All aboard: The world’s top 10 train journeys

28 May 2015 - 09:00 By Paul Ash
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You'll be treated to some spectacular mountain scenery during the 2.5 hour journey from Caernarfon to Porthmadog aboard the Welsh Highland Railway.
You'll be treated to some spectacular mountain scenery during the 2.5 hour journey from Caernarfon to Porthmadog aboard the Welsh Highland Railway.
Image: Thinkstock

There's something decidedly glamorous about an overnight train trip, but an afternoon jaunt can be just as exciting. Here are 10 railway adventures - long and short - you'll never forget

1. THE TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS

The rail journey against which all others are measured. A five- or seven-day epic which will take you across the soul of Russia, from Moscow to Vladivostok. The train crosses the Ural Mountains and skirts the vast Lake Baikal before plunging across the Siberian taiga to the Pacific Ocean. Many travellers opt to travel to Beijing instead of Vladivostok, using the Trans-Mongolian or Trans-Manchurian Expresses. See www.transsiberianexpress.net.

2. ON THE PRIDE OF AFRICA TO DAR-ES-SALAAM

The quintessential rail journey across Africa, Rovos Rail will take you in sublime comfort on a 14-day journey from Cape Town, across the Zambezi River and through the Rift Valley. The Pride of Africa has been called the most luxurious train in the world, and with just three vast suites per carriage, the claim is a fair one. See www.rovos.com.

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3.ACROSS EUROPE ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Europe’s most romantic train, the Orient Express inspired intrigue as it picked its way across the continent from Paris to Constantinople. Now restored with the original Wagon Lits sleeper coaches, the blue-and-cream dream runs a regular schedule from Paris to Venice as the Venice-Simplon Orient Express. The journey starts in London aboard a restored set of Pullman coaches which travel to the ferry port of Folkestone. See www.belmond.com.

4.BY AMTRAK ACROSS AMERICA

The best way to see the US is from the top of a double-decker Amtrak Viewliner passenger car. The state-run passenger system has many critics but they probably never travel on it. The service connects the major US cities, running various north-south and trans-continental routes. If you want to see – and meet – America – this is how to do it. Fares vary according to routes and season. Your best bet is to buy an Amtrak rail pass which offer travel for for 15, 30 or 45 days. See www.amtrak.com.

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5. BY TOY TRAIN INTO THE FOOTHILLS OF THE HIMALAYAS

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a 610mm narrow gauge line built in the time of the Raj to carry the heatstruck colonial servants and their families away from the blasting summer heat to the cool air of the hill station of Darjeeling. By various loops, switchbacks and gravity-defying grades, the little train spends much of the day clawing for height. It might not be luxurious but it is one of the world’s most epic train rides. The line is currently being repaired after a landslide but trains run from Darjeeling to the summit at Ghum. See http://dhrs.org.

6. INTO THE ANDES ON THE TRAIN TO THE CLOUDS

A day trip by diesel-hauled train along Argentina’s Belgrano Railway into the Andes must rank as one of the world’s greatest travel experiences, let alone rail journeys. The train climbs from the City of Salta at 1 187m to La Polvorilla at 4 200m above sea level. There are some high and spindly trestle bridges to spice the already outstanding views. The train negotiates 13 viaducts, two zigzags and two tunnels on its way to the top, taking 15 hours to complete the 434km round trip. See www.trenalasnubes.com.ar.

7. HANOI TO SAIGON ON THE REUNIFICATION EXPRESS

Simply the nicest way to travel in Vietnam – and safer than being on the road. The Reunification Express connects the Vietnam with itself, running every day between the two cities. You can travel in a privately-run – and more expensive – sleeping car on the train but it's better to travel in the normal coaches where you can meet the people. It's simple to break the journey in the key towns along the way such as Hue, Danang and Nha Trang. The 1 726km journey takes two or three days, depending on whether you take a “fast” or a “slow” train. See www.vr.com.vn.

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8. NORTH FROM SINGAPORE ON THE OTHER ORIENT EXPRESS

The Eastern and Oriental Express is the luxury way to travel between Singapore and Bangkok. The train, which is run by the same company as the Venice-Simplon Orient Express (see above) runs once or twice a month between two of the most fascinating cities in Asia. It has vast suites – and an open-deck observation car – from which you may watch the lush scenery slide past while quaffing a G&T or two. See www.belmond.com.

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9. STEAMING INTO HISTORY ON THE WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY

Wales was once crisscrossed by a rash of narrow-gauge lines, many of which fell into disuses as road transport took over. Never say die seems to have been the motto of the determined people who rebuilt one of these lost railways – now restored as the Welsh Highland Railway which runs 40km from Caernarfon to Porthmadog in the Welsh county of Gwynedd. The journey across classic, wild Welsh mountain scenery takes about 2.5 hours. See www.festrail.co.uk.

10. INTO THE SAN JUANS ON THE SILVERTON TRAIN

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a remnant of a 3-foot-gauge rail network that once ran hundreds of miles across Colorado. The Silverton train runs from the little town of Durango up the narrow confines to the Animas River to the historic mining town of Silverton where passengers disembark to wander around the town. The return trip takes all day but the scenery is so jaw-droppingly spectacular that you won’t mind. Fares vary according to different packages on offer. Whatever you do, be sure to ride in one of the open gondolas for an unobstructed view of the train as it snakes up the canyon of the Animas River. See www.durangotrain.com.

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