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FOR the first time in years, there seems reason to be cautiously optimistic about Amtrak's future. Alexander Kummant, who took over as president in September, speaks encouragingly about the future of rail travel in America. Although some of Amtrak's long-haul trains — the Coast Starlight, the California Zephyr, the Sunset Limited and especially the Florida services — rarely ran on time last year, the chronically underperforming host railroads (CSX and Union Pacific) were taken to task. By year's end, the situation was much improved.

American Orient Express has a new owner and a new name: GrandLuxe Rail Journeys. After operational hurdles forced cancellation of two Mexican itineraries, the train is now scheduled to offer three trips in the American West.

The most dramatic innovation in passenger railroading worldwide in the last year was the opening in July of the 695-mile Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the highest rail line in the world. It crests Tanggula Pass, reaching 16,641 feet, where the air is so thin that oxygen has to be supplied in the coaches.

Here are contacts for selected trains around the world. Note that some numbers are for U.S.-based agents that have booking contracts with the lines, but most trains can be reserved by any travel agent.

Asia and Australia

Great Southern Railway: Operates Australia's Indian Pacific (an east-west transcontinental), the Ghan (a north-south transcontinental) and the Overland, which travels between Melbourne and Adelaide. http://www.gsr.com.au ; ATS Tours, (800) 423-2880, http://www.atstours.com ; Rail Australia, 011-61-8-8213-4592, http://www.railaustralia.com.au/ .

Japan Rail: A variety of trains, including the famous high-speed Shinkansen. Japan Railways Group, (212) 332-8686, http://www.japanrail.com .

Queensland Rail: The Sunlander (including elevated Queenslander Class) and Outback services in Australia, http://www.traveltrain.com.au . ATS Tours, (800) 423-2880; Rail Australia, 011-61-8-8213-4592, http://www.railaustralia.com.au .

Europe

Rail Europe: Source of all European (including British) rail passes, schedules and tickets. (888) 382-7245, http://www.raileurope.com .

North America

Alaska Railroad: The Denali Star between Fairbanks and Anchorage by way of Denali National Park & Preserve offers luxury GoldStar Service in full-length dome cars. (800) 544-0552, http://www.alaskarailroad.com . All the major cruise lines calling at Anchorage (Seward) operate their own dome cars on the Alaska Railroad trains.

Amtrak: The national passenger-rail network remains intact. (800) 872-7245, http://www.amtrak.com .

VIA Rail Canada: Silver & Blue Class aboard the scenic transcontinental Canadian between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Toronto is one of the world's great train journeys. Try the shoulder seasons (or even winter) to escape the crowds. (888) 842-7245, http://www.viarail.ca .

Luxury and cruise trains

Blue Train: Southern Africa's classic luxury train, 011-27-12-334-8459, http://www.bluetrain.co.za ; Creative Safaris, (800) 768-9020, http://www.creativesafaris.com .

GrandLuxe Rail Journeys: The train, formerly the American Orient Express, this year will operate April 29 through October on three itineraries: National Parks of the West, the Great Northwest & Rockies and Rockies, Sierras & Napa. (800) 320-4206, http://www.grandluxerail.com .

Palace on Wheels: Elegant and luxurious train tour in India. (877) 463-4299, http://www.palaceonwheels.net .

Rocky Mountaineer: Two-day tours in Canada between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Jasper, Alberta; Vancouver and Banff or Calgary, Alberta; and Whistler, British Columbia, and Jasper; plus a short Vancouver-Whistler run. (877) 460-3200, http://www.rockymountaineer.com .

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