SOURCEBOOK 2007 | RAIL TRAVEL
Details for trains & railroads around the world
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.
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 .
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 .
Rovos Rail: Luxury rail tours in southern Africa with historic coaches. For bookings, 011-27-12-315-8242, http://www.rovos.com ; for information, call Warren Green of Kartagener Associates, (800) 524-7979.
Royal Canadian Pacific: Elegant excursions in the Canadian West aboard a train made up largely of historic business cars once used by railroad executives. (877) 665-3044, http://www.royalcanadianpacific.com .
Royal Scotsman: Ultra-posh rail tours in Britain, part of the Venice Simplon Orient Express operation. (800) 524-2420, http://www.royalscotsman.com .
Sierra Madre Express: Train tours to Mexico's Copper Canyon. (800) 666-0346, http://www.sierramadreexpress.com .
Venice Simplon Orient Express: Besides its signature London-Paris-Venice service, which also occasionally ranges to Istanbul and elsewhere, the company's trains include the Eastern & Oriental Express through Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore; the Royal Scotsman; two day-excursion trains in Britain, the Northern Belle and the British Pullman; and PeruRail, which features the Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu. (800) 524-2420, http://www.orient-express.com .
Day-excursion trains
Algoma Central Railway: Operates Agawa Canyon Tour Trains in northern Ontario and other services. (800) 242-9287, http://www.agawacanyontourtrain.com .
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad: Spectacular steam-powered, narrow-gauge railway in Colorado and New Mexico. (888) 286-2737, http://www.cumbrestoltec.com .
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: A splendid ride behind steam through Colorado's Animas Canyon. (877) 872-4607, http://www.durangotrain.com .
Grand Canyon Railway: From Williams, Ariz., historic train to the South Rim, steam-powered in summer. (800) 843-8724, http://www.thetrain.com .
Napa Valley Wine Train: The best of the "dinner trains." (800) 427-4124, http://www.winetrain.com .
White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad: Scenic excursions from Skagway, Alaska. (800) 343-7373, http://www.wpyr.com .
Rail tour operators
Rail Travel Center: Rail tours in North America and abroad. (800) 458-5394, http://www.railtravelcenter.com .
Society of International Railway Travelers: Rail tours worldwide, color newsletter. (800) 478-4881, http://www.irtsociety.com .
Trains Unlimited, Tours: Rail tours in the U.S. and abroad, many featuring steam locomotives. (800) 359-4870, http://www.trainsunlimitedtours.com .
Private railway cars
American Assn. of Private Railroad Car Owners: The source for chartering a private rail car. (800) 856-6876, http://www.aaprco.com .
Other resources
National Assn. of Railroad Passengers: Informative newsletter and a chance to be counted as a rail supporter. (202) 408-8362, http://www.narprail.org .
Thomas Cook Publishing: Its European Rail Timetable and Overseas Timetable (for the rest of the world) are invaluable. http://www.thomascooktimetables.com .
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