September 7th, 2007
The best kind of training - scenic railway travel - Brief Article
“We’ll go through seven mountain ranges and some virtually inaccessible terrain, and over one stretch of rail no other passenger trains use,” says author and historian David J. Mitchell from a plush seat in the dome car of the Rocky Mountaineer. The train–offering the only daylight rail trip into the Canadian Rockies–runs past a parade of looming, purple-hued mountains, like an Imax movie come to life. Along with the view, the Rocky Mountaineer delivers pampering service and a menu ranging from eggs Benedict to roast duck breast with cranberries.
It is if you’re traveling with one of today’s top-notch private rail companies. These tour operators use their own specially outfitted railcars and build trips around destinations and amenities you might associate with the great trains of the past. Depending on the company, you may ride in a modern car or in lovingly restored historic equipment like a classic dome or wood-paneled dining car. Excursions include at least one night aboard the train or in a luxury hotel. Trips typically run several times a month in season; reserve early for popular trips such as those that include autumn color.
Excursions across the West
Prices usually include meals, hotels, and transportation, but check to be sure.
* American Orient Express. This is America’s version of Europe’s famous luxury train, the Orient-Express. Vintage carriages (restored at a cost of $15 million) include two dining cars, two club cars, a 1948 rear observation car, and Pullman sleeping cars (compartments have twin berths and enclosed toilets). Trips run March through November.
SIGNATURE RUN: The 10-day Great Transcontinental Journey includes New Orleans, the Grand Canyon, and side trips (from $3,990).
MORE TRIPS: Seven-day National Parks of the West (from $2,990); seven-day Rockies and Yellowstone (from $2,990). Seven-day Pacific Coast Explorer (from $2,490) goes through famous Feather River Canyon, which was closed to passenger trains for 30 years.
CONTACT: (800) 320-4206 or www.americanorientexpress.com.
* American Spirit. Formerly called the Montana Daylight, this restored streamliner train offers 12 tours through the Pacific Northwest and Rockies regions. The train uses streamliner equipment from the 1940s and ’50s, considered the golden age of rail travel. Trips run June through mid-September.
SIGNATURE RUN: Three-day Montana Rockies tour from Spokane to Livingston, Montana, edges Lake Pend Oreille and the Clark Fork River (from $499).
NEW: Three-day Gateway to Glacier by Rail tour runs between Portland and Whitefish, Montana, and features the Columbia River Gorge and Selkirk Mountains (from $549); seven-day In the Path of Lewis and Clark travels to spots made famous by the explorers (from $1,249).
CONTACT: (888) 533-7245 or www.americanspiritrail.com.
* Great Train Escapes Rail Tours. Tours in the Southwest and Mexico use restored streamliner carriages (including dome cars). Trips run May through June (Southwest) and January through March (Copper Canyon, Mexico).
SIGNATURE RUN: The eight-day Enchanting Southwest trip on the North American Explorer train from Phoenix or Colorado Springs features swing bands onboard (from $1,899).
MORE TRIPS: The five-day Mysteries of the Copper Canyon trip in Mexico takes you along the edge of the spectacular 8,000-foot-deep Copper Canyon, crossing 35 bridges (from $1,599).
CONTACT: (888) 544-7245, (206) 935-6848, or www.greattrainescapes.com.
* Rocky Mountaineer Railtours. North America’s largest privately owned train tour operator runs modern equipment for its 21 package tours; most run mid-April through mid-October.