Full speed ahead: The 7 most beautiful train journeys in the world

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Who invented it? When it came to railways, the British were ahead. On September 27, 1825, the first steam train in history passed through the north of England, carrying coal, flour and people. So it goes without saying that the island has some of the most beautiful railway routes in Europe. Some even lead to magical worlds: The steam train from Fort William to the seaside town of Mallaig can be seen as the Hogwarts Express in the “Harry Potter” movies. Officially known as the Jacobite Steam Train, the historic train clinks its way through the picture-perfect Scottish landscape. It takes about two hours for the steel giant statue to travel 65 kilometers. After a 2-hour stay on the beach, we return to Fort William.

The Trans-Siberian Railway is the most famous railway line and the longest. It covers more than 9,288 kilometers from Moscow to Vladivostok in the Pacific. 89 cities, 400 railway stations and vast birch forests (one variant goes to Beijing via Mongolia). The railway was built at the beginning of the 20th century to develop Siberian raw materials. Today it is still the most important west-east connection for goods and passengers in Russia. A train leaves Moscow every other day and arrives in Vladivostok only after six days. If you like authentic, stay in a regular couchette car. Some operators offer luxury compartments with sightseeing.

Zermatt to St. The Glacier Express to St. Moritz regularly tops global top ten lists as the most beautiful train route in the world. The journey between the Valais and Graubsunu mountains and the Rhine Valley takes only eight hours, but the panorama rivals that of any mountain in the world. New this year is the (even) more luxurious “Excellence Class”. This includes a guaranteed window seat, a five-course meal cooked on board, and a private bar. A concierge will also answer questions about attractions along the route.

Although Rovos Rail from South Africa only made its maiden voyage in 1987, the luxury train is still one of the great classics of African train experiences due to its timeless elegance. The wagons date from 1911 to 1956 and shine with their former glory thanks to renovations. Guests stay in different suites: the most luxurious, the Royal Suite, even has its own bathtub. Otherwise, bar and lounge carts, dining carts, a smoking lounge and a panoramic cart are available. Rovos Rail is reviving the era of elegant research cruises – so a dress code is mandatory when dining: jacket and tie for men, cocktail dress for women. A variety of routes are offered in South Africa and neighboring countries. The 15-day “Pride of Africa” tour offers the ultimate train experience from Cape Town through Botswana and Zambia to Dar as-Salam, Tanzania. If you want to join this bandwagon, you will have to dig deep into your pocket: the flattering minimum price of 12,000 francs includes excursions, safaris and overnight stays in historical hotels.

Riding the train in India is as psychedelic as an LSD trip: the chaos, the colors, the noise, the encounters are out of this world. Anyone traveling in the regular “Sleeper Class” will experience the full spectrum of Indian life. Great experience! The size of India’s railway network is incredible, with 67,000 kilometers and around 23 million passengers every day. These include four magnificent mountain routes recognized by UNESCO as world heritage. These include the Nilgiri Mountain Railway in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, India’s only cog railway. It takes the steam train 290 minutes to cover 46 kilometers and an altitude difference of almost 2,000 meters; this is comfortable enough that you can enjoy the mountainous landscape of south India to the fullest.

Henry Meiggs, builder of the railway line from Lima to Huancayo, is said to have said, “Wherever a llama goes, I can build a train.” Approximately 10,000 workers had to work for 40 years for the 332 kilometer long route. They created one of South America’s most impressive railway routes and the second highest railway in the world (the highest is in Tibet). The “highlight” is in the village of La Galera, at an altitude of 4,780 meters. Some travelers even suffer from altitude sickness. Therefore, a nurse provides oxygen to the guests. During the 10 to 14-hour journey (delays are common), you can enjoy dance performances on the train, snow-capped Andean peaks, and countless llamas in front of the windows. The train runs only once or twice a month (inquire in time!) – a special event celebrated with a brass band during departure and arrival.

The American West was conquered by covered wagons and, beginning in the 1860s, by railroads. However, trains no longer play a role as a means of transportation. The daily connection from Chicago to San Francisco is even more surprising. For 52 hours, the California Zephyr soars across the prairies, the Grand Canyon and the desert. However, traveling in a sleeper car (there are cheaper seats, too) will hit your travel budget by over $1,000.

Source : Blick