Best Trip by Train?
 

What is your vote for the best journey to take by train? Looking at not just the scenery but the accommodations on board, service, dealing with tickets, timing, etc?

I suppose maybe we should break it down into High Speed, long distance, and short/tourist lines if that would make it easier.

top suite on a japanese train>
www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp/en/train_info.html
http://www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp...eet_new_2s.jpg

top suite on www.maharajas-express-india.com >
http://maharajas-express.blogspot.co...s-ride-in.html
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DB-4-XmERe...tial-Suite.jpg

www.greatsouthernrail.com.au
has 2 private railcars

In the U.S., I vote for the Coast Starlight Express from San Diego or LA to Seattle. You can transfer 25k Chase UR points to Amtrak for a bedroom w/ meals for two ($1,000 value).

The Canadian across Canada is a classic dome liner.

I've taken the Coast Starlight as recently as last May, San Jose to LA in first class. Eleven abysmally miserable hours. The first hour or so is interesting, some views are lovely but seats are uncomfortable, impossible to get a comfy seat in the tiny parlor car because they are hogged by the inconsiderate, dirty windows inside and out, food sucks, beverages are limited, there is no service, the ambience is negative. NEVER again.

Also, that "bedroom?" Hah! It would be laughable were it not so miserably uncomfortable.

I'm into accommodations and onboard facilities because by my way of thinking, the scenery's good everywhere but onboard life is where it's at. If you've got the money, there are some pretty amazing accommodations to be had on rail. The most luxurious trains are probably in India but South Africa's Blue Train and some European trains such as the famed Orient Express also deliver a quality experience.

For overall value, your best bet is probably right here in the good old U.S. of A. where private accommodations including meals can be had for substantially less than you'd pay for similar service elsewhere in the world. Additionally, we have some of the finest scenery.

HERE is a photo trip report I did from a journey in late May of 2013 from Denver to Oakland (California Zephyr)to Portland (Coast Starlight) to Havre, Montana (Empire Builder).

Here's another one covering First Class travel between Cape Town, South Africa and Johannesburg by rail followed by First Class on the Empire Builder between Seattle and Chicago.

And finally, here are some pictures from what I consider to be the finest standard gauge rail trip (scenery-wise) that I've ever done, on the Alaska Railroad between Seward and Anchorage.


http://images9.fotki.com/v1493/photo...8SWDANC-vi.jpg


http://images61.fotki.com/v431/photo...IERVIEW-vi.jpg


http://images16.fotki.com/v220/photo...8SWDANC-vi.jpg


http://images40.fotki.com/v1331/phot...GAINARM-vi.jpg


http://images53.fotki.com/v1459/phot...MSUNSET-vi.jpg

there are private charter railcars available in US, seem to recall a few thousand dollars per day/night.

Re: the Alaska Railroad - that was my first thought too. Amazing trip.

Best Trip by Train?
 

I love the Rhein valley in Germany. Fantastic scenery, comfy trains, especially first class, good service. And the trip takes about 2.5 hours if you travel between Frankfurt and Cologne.

In the US I loved the California Zephyr going from Grand Junction to Denver. Fantastic scenery. Amtrak Superliner cars: not the latest model, but mine was clean and comfortable. My favorite was the view all across Denver coming down from the mountains.

Somewhere in Switzerland. Amazing scenery, not too big, and a schedule you can count on.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...rain-ride.html

Nice photos as usual, Seat 2A!

Either Amtrak's California Zephyr or the Empire Builder. The accommodations aren't the greatest but the scenery and the Amtrak staff are. Plus, you can bring your own alcohol which always helps :D

I rode the Alaska Railroad from Denali to the cruise port in Whittier. It's a great way to spend nine hours.

I'm planning a California Zephyr trip from the Bay Area to Utah this winter. First time. Hoping it is as good as you and others say.

I'd say it is, if you're interested, I wrote this last year:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...my-father.html