Journey Bernina Express Train

Bernina Express

Introduction/History:

The huge Bernina line was completed in 1910 and is run by Rhaetian Railways. Start in Chur, St. Moritz or Davos, it passes the glaciers of Piz Bernina, making this the highest railway crossing in all of the Alps. It travels over 39 miles, uphill grades of up to 7%––without rack and pinion––to more than 7,391 feet at the Bernina Pass summit, and drops down to just 1,408 feet at Tirano, Italy. One minute, it seems, you’re above the tree line in a frozen wasteland; the next, you’re zooming to a landing, like in an airplane, into a subtropical Italian paradise.

The combination of remarkable scenery and engineering prompted the World Heritage Committee on July 7, 2008 to add this line (and its sister line, Albula) to the UNESCO World Heritage list. This makes the Rhaetian Railway one of four railways worldwide to be considered “universally outstanding” by UNESCO.

Accommodations

Bernina Express trains have spacious first- and second-class Panorama cars. All seats require reservations. You won’t be sitting long, however. The train passes over viaducts as high as 295 feet, twists through the Albula Valley, up past rock formations and glaciers, then plunges into Italy on a famous corkscrew viaduct. This is a daytime only train; there are no overnight accommodations on board.

Dining

Bring a picnic or eat lunch in a neat café once you get to Tirano.

Lounge Cars

“Railbar” with drinks and snacks are on the following routes: Chur-Tirano; Bergün-Tirano; St. Moritz-Tirano and vice versa.

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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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