Tell me about your train trips?
 

Have you taken any really memmorable scenic rail trips in the USA (or elsewhere)? I would love to here about them.

I've only done one -- the Copper Canyon in Mexico. We flew into El Paso and went south to Chihuahua by bus (3 hrs.). That's where you catch the train and you can take it as far west as Los Mochis, but we stopped in El Fuerte. And we also spent time in Creel. Fabulous trip. There's probably more about it on the Mexico board because it is popular. The Copper Canyon is wider and deeper than the Grand Canyon and it is a truly breathtaking experience with lots of switch-backs.

Any Shinkansen in Japan. The trip from Tokyo down to Osaka is always nice. So fast. I wish we had a good rail system in the US.

I took a train from Guanzhou, China to Hong Kong. THAT was not a beautiful trip, but it was all new, different and very much and eye-opener. Small town China is very depressed. The country-side just looks...well...like it has been raped. Can't think of a better word. Sorry.

My grandmother told me about some nice train ride on Alaska that I must do...nothing like a nice train ride.

Denise

We took the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff. An on-board host talked about the geography and history of the area and the train stopped for the night in Kamloops so we wouldn't miss any part of the stunning Canadian Rockies.

Three years ago my DH and I spent a week on Palace On Wheels, a train journey that took us to points of interest in Rajasthan in India. It was one of the most interesting things I've ever done. We were treated very well and although I generally don't like the idea of five cities in seven days, it really was a good way to see much of the state in short order. Truth to be told the cabins were cramped but all in all the trip was really special.

I have been on the AMTRAK route from Emeryville (San Francisco) to Denver and it's pretty neat from a scenery standpoint. You pass through both the Sierra's and the Colroado Rockies in daylight hours.

My favorite trips, however, are in Canada. The Rocky Mountaineer, mentioned earlier is a good one. Via Rail also has a couple of very good trips. The Skeena from Jasper to Prince Rupert with an overnight stop in Prince George is superb. I also like The Ocean from Montreal to Halifax. Both of these routes pass through some great country and both are on old polished stainless steel restored rail cars with the tear drop lounges, superdomes, and traditional dining cars.

Tandoori_Girl, I agree whole heartedly on the Copper Canyon train trip! It was wonderful. We went last year on a 2 week Grand Circle tour and it is one trip I would do again. Loved the ride, the side trips, El Fuerte was charming and I wanted to stay in Creel just a little longer. Copper Canyon was awesome!

Another that we just took was the Mt. Washington Cog Train trip in New Hampshire. That was quite a different experience and fun.

Also liked the Durango/Silverton trip and the Yukon White River train trip in Alaska.

I did that Cog train trip. What fun!

The trip from Vienna to Venice through the Dolomite Alps ******** :-B

I rode the Orient Express from Venice to Paris; an overnight dream trip (no pun intended) if ever there was one.

I also took the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff. Glorious scenery.

I took the train from Guangzhou to Hong Kong twice. Once in 1987 and once in 1999. The difference was like going from the middle ages to the 22nd century. The first time, the train was old, rickety, with the seats resembling armchairs from the 1920's (including antimacassars on the seat backs). The areas we went through looked like a war zone. The second time, we took a two storey high speed "super" train that resembled a modern jet. The areas surrounding the tracks were much built up and improved.

And my train trip along the Rhine River in Germany was my first experience in Europe, and memorable not only for the scenery, but also for the people I met.

Took "The Canadian" across Canada from Toronto to Vancouver - 3 days and nights in restored 1950's era cars. Very nice trip that really gave a grand overview of that beautiful country. Food and service were terrific and being rocked to sleep each night in our bunks (we had a 2-bed "roomette") was wonderful.
Really enjoyed the 24 hrs spent crossing the Canadian Shield (largely wild area north of the Great Lakes). Only drawback to this trip is that some of the most beautiful sections are crossed at night.

Perfect variant of this trip would be to take "The Canadian" from Toronto to Jasper, rent a car, drive to Banff (spending a couple of days in this beautiful area), then taking the "Rocky Mountaineer" excursian train (which stops at night) for the 2 day finale into Vancouver. I would have to say that it would be one of the premier train trips in the world.

Ken

We had the best train ride from L.A. to Seattle a few years back. Saw the coast and the scenery was beautiful.

Also did the Rocky Mountaineer except in reverse of the other posters--from Banff to Vancouver, two days, stop over in Kamloops but prior to the train had an add on that started in Calgary, went to Lake Louise, Jasper, Icefields Parkway, etc. Memorable and beautiful trip. Also might add for anyone considering the upgrade to silver or gold leaf service in the domed cars is highly worth it.

Also, not really a train trip, but a train excursion was the incredible White Pass Railway excursion in Skagway, AK. Outstanding! http://www.whitepassrailroad.com/

The best train trip was from seattle to Whitefish to ski with the family. Packed Champagne, California Rolls, sandwiches on Baquettes and soft drinks for the kids. Beautiful scenery and a great time.

My husband and I love train trips and really want to do the Copper Canyon trip. We have been on a few short excursion trips in New Mexico, Colorado and Arknasas, but our favorite train trip was 4 years ago in March. We got married on a Tuesday, and went to Oklahoma City early Wednesday morning to catch the train. It took us 3 days to go from OKC to Ft. Worth, up to Chicago, across to Washington D.C. and down to Atlanta. We then caught a shuttle to the trailhead of the Appalacian Trail and hiked the trail for a week. So, how did you spend your honeymoon?? :)

Gee, I can't decide which train trip was the most fantastic. Was it the one from Portland OR with married kids and a 9 month old when the parents and my DH slept all night and I held the 9 month old from 10:00 pm to 8:00am the next morning when we arrived in Martinez? I still nag them about that trip, hehe. Or was it the train trip from Reno to Martinez that was 4 hours late and when we got on discovered every toilet was a "pig pen", I will not go into details, and the employees sat around and talked to each other and the passengers but did not "work". I shudder when I think of train trips, although I love trains. Seeing them, not riding on them. And oh yes, about 2 years ago a relative in his 90's took the train from Sacramento to Santa Barbara and it took over 24 hours!!! No matter how much airline travel is no longer a joy I will not even think of taking a train trip. But, actually that is not correct. Love the train trips in Italy. It is AMTRAK that I hate.

I am outta here tomorrow on my 35-day AMTRAK/ViaRail odessey from SLC to SCTO to SEA, to VNC, to JSP, to Prince George, to Prince Rupert and back with side trips to Clearlake, Stewart/Hyder, and Monterey.

I'll give all you Fodorites a report on my return just before Thanksgiving (US date). Adios mi amigos.

We just got back from Scotland and took the Orient Express from Edinburgh to London.(5 days) We stayed in hotels at night and ATE our way through the British Empire on the train during the day and some evenings!!!
Very posh and great food. Day trips from one location to another were available! YUM!!!

Read about a recent 8000 mi Amtrak trip at:

http://www.manyhighways.com/riding_a...rica/index.php

We also did the trip from L.A. to Seattle -- gets really close to Mt. St. Helens too! Great scenery, but worthy doing only one way, since it takes so long.

Most scenic rail trip ever (and we have been everywhere by train in Europe) is the Norway in the Nutshell trip from Oslo to Bergen.

Agree with Hulagirl about the bullet trains in Japan. Or any of the limited expresses there, not just the shinkansens. Took a train called "Seagull Express" to Nagasaki which had beautiful little reversible tables and comfy seats. Love the young ladies selling beverages down the aisles - I never get a bow and smile like that at Starbucks!

I've done a number of trips in Canada and in Europe, but two of them stand out as particularly memorable.
1: Travelled on the night train from Toronto to New York City MANY years ago with a friend. We were both teenage girls and behaved accordingly. My grandmother had packed some food for us, so we were well-supplied with sandwiches and other goodies. The train was packed, we were a bit slow getting on board, and there were actually no available seats by the time we struggled aboard. Luckily we found a couch in the ladies' powder room and stretched out on that, for the night. The conductor came by to check our tickets and we gave him a sandwich. He commented that after years of working the trains, this was the first time he had ever been given a sandwich in the ladies' room.
2: Went across the country with my 4 young kids, my cousin, and her family, from Toronto to Jasper, Alberta. The scenery going through the prairies wasn't all that interesting, but as we got into the foothills of the Rockies it was suddenly stunningly beautiful. My cousin and I were glued to the windows, saying "Wow! That is #%^$#$ gorgeous! Holy #%$$##!!" Her husband cracked us up, saying "You two should write a travelogue."

Two families of 5 and 4, we drove south from SF and parked our cars in Calexico and walked across the border to Mexicali.

Boarded a train that took us through Mexico, stopping in order of memory, not geography : Juanajuato, Guadalajara, Mexico City and more.
This particular train stopped EVERYwhere. In the middle of the jungle, we stopped several times to allow sellers of fruit and exotic birds to board. In the middle of the desert, we stopped to allow sellers of woven goods to board. It was amazing that this train would stop seemingly anywhere. Multiple times. Add cars, subtract cars. You name it.

We later learned that we had boarded the wrong train, of course! With one spanish-speaker in our group, this was the most harmless of errors made during the trip.

At night, somewhere(?), we stopped at a train station for about 20 minutes and went out and returned with Coca-Colas. An American man who was traveling alone saw our Cokes and went out to get one for himself. Well, the train left the station without him. We felt so bad for him! We had never conversed and figured that he would eventually meet up with his baggage (or not) further down the line. A lesson for all.

On the return trip, we boarded the correct train and our stops were minimal. Would you believe that in looking back, we were all glad that we endured that first train?

Toured the pyramids, saw the mummies. Two of nine got Montezuma's revenge.

Spent Christmas in Mexico City with the kids lighting triangle-shaped firecrackers. (returned home, and what did we find in the kids' suitcases?)

We bought onyx art, a marble chess set, and hand-blown glass mini-sets of animals, tea sets, everything you could imagine.

Buying a christmas tree was not possible, so we made a "christmas tree" using tinsel safety-pinned to the curtain over the window at the end of the hallway in the hotel.

Witnessed the deeply religious locals "walking" to the church on their knees, their pants torn and knees bleeding, while holding rosary beads. What devotion!

Attended midnight mass in Mexico City.

It was a trip to remember for a lifetime.

Wow! So many great train rides and so little time. When I started this thread I was just curious. Now, if anyone would care to help, I need some more specific info.

Has anyone done the Copper Canyon trip without going through a tour operator? We always prefer to make our own itinerary. I'm just wondering how difficult that would be. Thanks!

I have took a train all across the USA and it was an interesting experience. I had the room with the pull down bed and my own bathroom with a shower. The best part was eating in the dining car, I sat with different people each night and we had so much fun. I loved the grits that they served for breakfast and at night I would sit in the viewing car and sip an after dinner drink. It was so much fun.

I have TAKEN.....