Journey Bergen Train

Bergen Railway

  

Introduction/History:

The complete Oslo-Bergen line was opened in 1909 as the only year-round land transport between Norway’s two largest cities. It was electrified in 1964. The 300-mile length of track passes through 200 tunnels and 18 miles of snowsheds in addition to crossing more than 300 bridges. In 2009, the Bergen Railway celebrates its 100th anniversary!

The scenery on the 7-hour Bergen Railway trip across the Hardanger plateau, the largest wilderness area in Europe, is breathtaking. Keep your eyes open for reindeer and other wild animals on what the Eurail Guide calls the “most scenic rail trip in Europe.”

Accommodations

This is a day-time only train.

Dining

No dining service aboard this train.

Lounge Cars

Not applicable

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Journey Luxury Royal Canadian Train

Royal Canadian

Introduction/History:

Just 30 people can pretend to be royalty and come aboard Royal Canadian Pacific to sample the train’s five-star dining, open-platform observation areas, several small salons, and large compartments with private, ensuite shower, toilet and sink. The train and its superb staff combine outstanding scenery, exclusive visits and elegant musical events with the five-star service and dining. It all results in one word: “Wow!”

The total RCP package is matched by just a few trains in the world. Many of the cars for the Royal Canadian Pacific (RCP) train were built between 1917 and 1931 and were used as business cars for the Canadian Pacific Railroad (CPR). Sir Winston Churchill, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh (later Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip), John and Jacqueline Kennedy, among many notables, once enjoyed the cars that make up this elegant train.

  Accommodations

Many of the sections precisely match those of the Royal Scotsman, because the Scotsman’s owner at the time kindly loaned the plans to the CPR. There are seven twins in the newly constructed Pullman cars “N.R.Crump” and “Strathcona.” These have two lower, twin beds set at an “L” shape, desk, roomy private shower, sink and toilet and large picture window. Finished in Circassian walnut from Russia with Bird’s Eye maple inlay and complemented by scalloped lamp fixtures, brass radiators and Turkish drapes, each car maintains the ambience of the classic era of luxury rail travel. Five cabins with double beds are in the older, historic cars. Five cabins are designed for single travelers and require no single supplement. All have plenty of storage; all are outfitted with thick white towels and lovely toiletries. The walls gleam, most with inlaid wood and vaulted ceilings.

Dining

An à la carte breakfast is served in the newly restored dining car, the “Craigellachie.” Tea, coffee and other beverages can be served in all the lounge areas or private rooms. Special cocktails (included), are served nightly, along with just about anything else you can think up. An elegant, multi-course dinner is served at tables for six or eight in the dining car. The meals are memorable––freshly prepared on board, beautifully presented and are five-star with service to match; paired wines are included.

Lounge Cars

Choices for lounging abound: there is nothing finer than stretching out in the sunshine on the open platform of 1926 observation-lounge “Mount Stephen.” There are also the 1926 lounge-sleeper “Royal Wentworth,” the 1927 observation-lounge-sleeper “Van Horne,” and the 1916 open-platform observation lounge-diner “Killarney.”

Other

If you want one of the most intimate, elegant train program in the world, this is it. The price tag may be steep, but its all-inclusive program, including all sightseeing, meals, alcohol, hotels and transfers, comes wrapped up in luxury few trains in the world can offer. The small number of fellow passengers (remember: just 30 total); cheerful, excellent and professional service throughout the train; and the inventive, gorgeous meals set this train apart. Jackets are expected in the dining room.

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Journey Glacier Express Train

Glacier Express

Introduction/History:

The Swiss proudly barrage the Glacier Express as the world’s slowest express. The train receipts almost eight hours and the services of two private, narrow-gauge railroads to traverse the 168 hilly miles between two posh resorts—Zermatt and St. Moritz. The Alpine route of the Glacier Express is what makes this train so marvelous (less marvelous are the hordes of tourists who cram aboard in high season). Better to go in shoulder season. Enjoy a delicious lunch served at your comfy seat as you chug by spectacular scenery.

Why take it? Taken as part of a comprehensive Swiss rail program, the Glacier Express shines as it pokes across 291 bridges, passes through 91 tunnels, and masters the 6,660-foot Oberalp Pass. We have several comprehensive programs from which to choose. Both use the regular and chartered steam trains on this route .

 Accommodations

The first- and second-class panorama cars are air-cushioned, air-conditioned, wheelchair-accessible and are considerably quieter than the previous generation of rolling stock. The new interiors are elegant and pleasant, and the improved information system is available in six languages. This is a daytime only train; there are no overnight accommodations on board.

Dining

The full, hot, at-seat meals are available in Glacier Express premium trains. (Dining cars have recently been removed from Glacier Express trains.) A three-course meal costs about $40. This menu includes salad (summer) or soup (winter), meat with vegetables and side dishes, dessert or a selection of cheeses. Drinks are not included in the price. Dish of the day is about $25. The dish of the day is meat with vegetables and side dishes.

Drinks and snacks are available at all times, served at your seat. You can also buy the famous slanted glasses from your attendant.

Lounge Cars

Some trains include a bar car with stools for enjoying a drink.

Other

The Glacier Express has one wheelchair-accessible compartment in first class and accessible bathroom. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance since one seat is removed from the carriage to make way for the wheelchair.

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Journey Danube Express Train

Danube Express

Introduction/History

The train started service with its beautiful deluxe carriages in 2008. All routes either start or go through Budapest, Hungary, where the train is headquartered. The train runs as far north as Gdansk and as far  east as Istanbul. Journeys include Krakow and Warsaw in Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania. Journeys can be combined; one example is Warsaw to Budapest to Istanbul.

 

The Danube Express wishes a more intimate and deluxe experience, and plans to invite just 42 passengers on board, a significant reduction from last year. This will greatly improve the quality of the on-board experience and off-train sightseeing.

Accommodations

The deluxe sleeping carriages offer the best train accommodations in Europe. Private compartments are air conditioned, with private, ensuite facilities and two lower beds that fold up into seating during the day. They are roomy at 83.3 square feet, including the bathroom. Singles are accommodated in “classic” cabins, which are 33.4 square feet, with bunk-style beds that fold into seating by day; shower and toilet are down the hall. There are windows that open throughout the train, a boon for photographers.

Dining

Dining is delicious but not fancy.  Dress is smart casual. Gourmet meals and white-glove service are not the aim here; meals are hearty local specialties such as goose, mashed potatoes and braised red cabbage and service is friendly and experienced. Staff members do not speak much English, but they are pleasant and cheerful. As one staff member said to a recent IRT traveler: "We are smiling."

Lounge Cars

The lounge car is spacious, with room for most of the train’s passengers. The atmosphere is friendly, and the brandy—the local specialty—is tasty. Wine and beer on the train are included with the price of the journey; spirits are not included. The pianist, Apollo, is talented and jolly; the songbook on board seems two inches thick stuffed with every song you ever thought of singing.

Other

The itineraries are designed to take you to the heart of Central and Eastern Europe in comfort and style. The off-train sightseeing calls for plenty of walking, often over cobblestones and uneven pavement. None of the compartments on the train is handicapped accessible. Note that no drinks are included off the train except for water on the touring buses. Gratuities are not included in the price of your program.

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Journey Luxury Royal Scotsman Train

The Royal Scotsman

A journey on The Royal Scotsman takes you straight to the heart of the Highlands, through landscapes of towering, pine-clad mountains reflected in mirror-still lochs.
Just 36 guests travel through Scotland's finest countryside in private cabins, with an open-deck observation carriage behind. Life on board this luxury train is relaxed and indulgent, with gastronomic dining and the convivial atmosphere of celebrating with friends. After dinner, over a wee dram, a local clansman recounts tales that bring Scottish history alive.

Along the way, guests disembark to meet local personalities, talk to experts on subjects from salmon fishing to whisky and take part in fun activities - truly a Scottish rail vacation par excellence

History & Design

Originally launched in May 1985, the train, in its current form, dates from May 1990. The owners put together a set of carriages (all rather different), which were rented in and called The Royal Scotsman, launching in the Spring of 1985. The carriage leases ran for five years and it was a success – the train won the Queen's Award for Export.

After the initial five-year period elapsed, the decision was taken to purchase outright a different set of carriages, designed to the owners specifications. Working with designer James Park, ten Pullman carriages were subsequently bought and transformed with all the interior woodwork made to specification by a specialist woodworking company in Bournemouth and shipped to the construction site and installed. This second rake of carriages replaced the first in May 1990. The new rake incorporated many improvements – each cabin now had its own private facilities, steam heating was replaced by electric heating, seating for all at the same time in the Observation and Dining Cars and capacity moved from twenty-eight to thirty-two. In 1997, the capacity was further increased from thirty-two to thirty-six.  

The running order of The Royal Scotsman carriages is: Observation Car with verandah viewing platform; Dining Car Number One (Raven); Dining Car Number Two (Victory); State Car number one, two, three, four and five; and a Service Car. The sequence is in running order from the rear so guests can best enjoy the passing countryside. 

At one end of the train is perhaps the most distinctive vehicle, the open-ended Observation Car, converted from the Pullman kitchen car, Snipe. Originally built in 1960 by the Metropolitan-Cammell Carriage and Wagon Company,
it entered service in 1961 as a First Class kitchen car. In 1989, the car was bought from its private owner, Michael Bailiss, and converted it to its current luxury configuration, able to comfortably hold all thirty-six guests at any time.

Adjacent to this is Dining Car Number One, which is still referred to by its former Pullman car name, Raven. Colin Angell, a firm of cabinet makers from Evesham, Worcestershire, won the contract to transform a 1962 second-class Pullman carriage into Raven, with a capacity for twenty guests.

Next in the formation is Dining Car Number Two, known as Victory and so called since it was built in 1945. Victory was built as a London & North Eastern Railway Director's Saloon and acquired from Sir Bill McAlpine. The transformation was completed in a number of weeks - from its bright orange curtains and brushed aluminium fittings to wood panelling, inlaid with intricate marquetry, mahogany veneer cupboards and specially made dining chairs and tables – not to mention a state of the art modern kitchen. Eight marquetry panels with intricate designs of thistles, flowing ribbons and butterflies line the walls and an inlaid frieze of several different woods runs on into the corridors. Victory can accommodate up to sixteen guests, ensuring all guests can dine at the same sitting, across the two dining cars.

The five State Sleeping Cars follow. These cars, like the Verandah car, were originally built as Pullman Cars in 1960 by the Metropolitan-Cammell Carriage and Wagon Company.

The sleeping cars provide fourteen twin, two double and four single State Cabins, beautifully fitted out in rich marquetry. All cabins have fixed, lower beds, dressing table, full-length wardrobe, individually controlled heating, cooling ceiling fans, opening windows and cabin service call button. Each cabin has its own private facilities with shower, wash-basin and toilet and a constant supply of hot water.

Dining & Cuisine

Dining on The Royal Scotsman is an exquisite experience. Our fixed menus reflect the many seasonal changes and are consistently regarded as amongst the very finest in Britain. The train's chefs create dishes to exacting standards despite the restricted space. Dining on board the beautifully decorated, mahogany-panelled dining room is an experience to savour with meals prepared with local ingredients, such as Scottish smoked salmon, and served with wine for all tastes.

Our extensive cellar provides a range of fine wines to accompany lunch and dinner, and we offer a fine range of liqueurs and malt whiskies. The choice of a full Scottish cooked breakfast or a continental breakfast is available every morning.Both Dining Cars are beautifully decorated with rich mahogany panelling and luxurious fabrics. Victory provides sixteen elegant settings grouped in twos and fours, while Raven has larger tables for six or eight. This offers you the chance to make new friends with your fellow guests or simply enjoy the company of the one you're with.

Dinners

There are formal and informal dinners aboard The Royal Scotsman, usually on alternate nights. For the formal dinners we encourage a tuxedo or kilt for gentleman and a cocktail dress or similar evening wear for ladies. For the informal dinners a jacket and tie is the norm for gentlemen, except at times of unusually hot weather.

Many guests like to wear a kilt for the formal dinners and we would be pleased to recommend an Edinburgh based kilt hire company, who can make all the arrangments for you, including delivery to your hotel, or direct to the train (please note than an additional charge will apply).

Cabins

The Sleeping Cars provide fourteen twin, two double and four single State Cabins, beautifully fitted out in rich marquetry, each providing a comfortable and intimate area to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery of Scotland.

Each cabin has its own private bathroom with shower, wash-basin and toilet, constant hot water, high quality toiletries and fresh fluffy white towels every day. Other facilities include:

• Lower beds
• Dressing table
• Full-length wardrobe
• Hairdryer
• Individually controlled heating
• Cooling ceiling fans
• Opening windows
• Cabin service call button

Each bed is furnished with one feather and one foam pillow, feather duvet and cotton quilted bed covers. Non-feather duvets are also available on request.

With the train stabled at night in a quiet siding or station, you are assured a good night's sleep.

Observation Car

The Edwardian splendour of The Royal Scotsman's observation car provides the perfect backdrop to enjoy the delights of your journey. 

The observation car offers an ever-changing panorama of virgin countryside and wild coastal scenery as the train moves past rugged castles, picturesque villages and heather-pink glens, home to magnificent creatures including eagles and stags. The views may be enjoyed from the comfort of the interior or from the exhilarating open verandah.

Comfortable sofas and armchairs provide seating for all thirty-six guests and conviviality and conversation are assured. After dinner the country house party ambience is enhanced by entertainment which creates a distinctly Scottish mood.

  

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