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The World's Greatest Train Journeys (VIDEO)

Huffington Post   Andrew Burmon   First Posted: 08/12/11 07:55 PM ET   Updated: 10/12/11 06:12 AM ET

Train travel is a more genteel option in the age of baggage fees and budget airlines. Life on the rails somehow seems unchanged since those pre-WWI boom years when steel was laid across nearly every continent.

Because they are not practical for the sorts of weekend getaways and business trips modern travelers are accustomed to, trains are having a sort of renaissance as luxury vessels, becoming intimate, earth-bound alternatives to cruise ships. Taking the train also means avoiding airports, which is a more and more appealing perk.

To celebrate what we hope will be the second age of rail, we’ve compiled a list of the world’s great train trips.

Hiram Bingham Train to Machu Picchu
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The Hiram Bingham Train winds its ways through the Peruvian Andes from Cuzco to Machu Picchu through incredibly verdant, rugged terrain. Because the train is operated by PeruRail in cooperation with Orient Express, the ride is plush as possible. The cars are outfitted to the gills with beautiful sitting areas, large windows and places to put down a cocktail. Outside are villages that are nearly impossible to get to any other way. There are even dancers on the platform. What more could a railhead quiero?
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Train travel is a more genteel option in the age of baggage fees and budget airlines. Life on the rails somehow seems unchanged since those pre-WWI boom years when steel was laid across nearly every c...
Train travel is a more genteel option in the age of baggage fees and budget airlines. Life on the rails somehow seems unchanged since those pre-WWI boom years when steel was laid across nearly every c...
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Jim Robbins: Will America Wake Up to Rail Travel?

I had forgotten what travel by rail was like, and after decades of flying around the country and the world, I found it an immense pleasure even though our passenger trains lag behind those of much of the world.

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budhoffmann
49 Fans
09:47 AM on 08/24/2011
I made this spectacular rail journey when I visited Machu Picchu, and I shall never forget the experience -- truly a visual and physical wonder.
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Bwana Tom
0 Fans
02:09 AM on 08/17/2011
The greatest rail journey is on the Maharahas' Express through Rajahstan in India. Amazing train and absolutely an amazing experience. The train is so luxuriously wonderful....
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missjdelaney
1 Fans
 
08:05 AM on 08/15/2011
Having just taken the California Zephyr, it definitely belongs in this list - snaking through multiple mountain ranges, canyons, desert with simply breathtaking views. And the best bit...? No one knows about it!! Here's my take... http://wp.me/p1bHL4-7d
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inthedesert
Those who never question will fall for anything.
706 Fans
04:10 PM on 08/14/2011
The American Orient Express offers many awesome tours of America's national parks.
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Darryl Bush
0 Fans
01:40 AM on 08/15/2011
The American Orient Express OFFERED many awesome tours of America's national parks and other wonders. The company was sold by its founders to an investor group who managed to take a sucessful operation and run it to the edge of bankruptcy. They inturn sold it in 2008 to an outfit without the resources or time to bring it back from the brink and it collapsed. The equipment was sold to Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz who was going to run it through his Xanterra Parks and Resorts operation. Amtrak and the freight railroads Amtrak operates over decided to take Xanterra to the cleaners for operating rights and insurance costs. The equipment has be split up and sold to various tourist operators. The American Orient Express was ultimately the victim of George Bush's economic disaster.
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inthedesert
Those who never question will fall for anything.
706 Fans
04:08 PM on 08/14/2011
I myself would opt for the Ghan and then the Trans-Siberian Express.
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rray
Jazz Fan in Floriduh
732 Fans
02:06 PM on 08/14/2011
Rode the Panama Canal Railroad from the Caribbean to the Pacific, it follows the canal and is a great day trip for cruise ship passengers. Since I'm retired from the railroad ,it brought back a lot of memories.
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vonBeavis
Do what you can with what you've got while you can
176 Fans
01:40 PM on 08/14/2011
Very nice little vid showing the rail experience. Looks like fun.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Greatest Darthfruit
So, you the brains of this outfit, or is he?
127 Fans
01:16 PM on 08/14/2011
Machu Picchu is a must!
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roshni
3985 Fans
12:25 PM on 08/14/2011
They left out the Ghan train from Adelaide to Darwin in Australia. We took it up to Alice Springs. Absolutely gorgeous scenery and service.
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roshni
3985 Fans
11:59 AM on 08/14/2011
Did the Hiram Bingham train and the scenery is the most spectacular part of it. BTW, if HO wants to write captions in Spanglish, it should be what more could someone "querer" not "quiero."
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masterimagemaker
3 Fans
04:49 AM on 08/14/2011
While the train from Machu Picchu back to Cuzco is worthwhile, the best way up is the three-day trek (not a technical climb, just mostly an uphill walk with a guide and a couple of porters).

The cllimb and overnight camping en route from Cuzco to Machu Picchu is a sheer pleasure, with so much to see and photogrqph along the way. The experience is far more fun than the train.

I love train travel, and have taken trains all over the world. But if you are up to it, I strongly urge that you make the three-day trek up the Inca trail from Cuzco to Machu Picchu. It's one of the most memorable activities you will ever experience.
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canuck4barack
91 Fans
01:10 AM on 08/14/2011
Hey you forgot the Devil's Nose train ride in Ecuador. It goes down the side of a very steep mountain via a series of switchbacks. Most people opt to ride on the top of the train. The conductor even walks along the top of the train, while its moving, to collect the tickets. Sometimes the train has to stop while the crew jump off to shovel rocks off the track. There are also a few small, narrow tunnels you go through and if you are quite tall, you better duck you head. It's quite the experience!

Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=_x2UabdFAr4
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roshni
3985 Fans
12:24 PM on 08/14/2011
Thanks for sharing that - awesome!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Gup
'ere John, got new motor?
54 Fans
10:57 PM on 08/13/2011
Wow! Sheldon Cooper would love these!
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CanadaBound
3 Fans
08:19 PM on 08/13/2011
Great post -this kept me busy most of the evening looking at links - one of the reasons I so love Paul Theroux's works
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
smoker
Qué Será, Será
232 Fans
04:43 PM on 08/13/2011
Some of the Indian rail journeys are worth it too. For e.g, the toy train in Darjeeling. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darjeeling_Himalayan_Railway
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roshni
3985 Fans
12:24 PM on 08/14/2011
Absolutely.
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