Railroad Quotes
The time will come when people will travel in stages moved by steam engines from one city to another, almost as fast as birds can fly, 15 or 20 miles an hour…. A carriage will start from Washington in the morning, the passengers will breakfast at Baltimore, dine at Philadelphia, and sup in New York the same day…. Engines will drive boats 10 or 12 miles an hour, and there will be hundreds of steamers running on the Mississippi, as predicted years ago. — Oliver Evans, 1800.
The same year Evans made this statement, he created the earliest successful non-condensing high pressure stationary steam-engine. Four years later, in 1804, he built the first steam-powered boat.
A railroad is like a lie you have to keep building it to make it stand. — Mark Twain
RAILROAD, n. The chief of many mechanical devices enabling us to get away from where we are to where we are no better off. For this purpose the railroad is held in highest favor by the optimist, for it permits him to make the transit with great expedition. — Ambrose Bierce
Nothing was more up-to-date when it was built, or is more obsolete today, than the railroad station. — Ada Louise Huxtable
A private railroad car is not an acquired taste. One takes to it immediately. — Eleanor Robson Belmont (1879-1979)
The introduction of so powerful an agent as steam to a carriage on wheels will make a great change in the situation of man. — Thomas Jefferson, 1802
If God had meant for us to fly, he wouldn’t have given us the railways. — Unknown
Rail travel at high speeds is not possible because passengers, unable to breathe, would die of asphyxia. – Dionysius Lardner (1842 – 1914) US journalist, short-story writer
I can see nothing to hinder a steam carriage moving on its ways with a velocity of 100 miles an hour. — Colonel John Stevens, 1812
Railroad iron is a magician’s rod, in its power to evoke the sleeping energies of land and water. — Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Only fools want to travel all the time. Sensible men want to arrive. — Metternick
One stretch of track was so crroked we met ourselves coming back. – Unknown
Ride the rails to the Grand Canyon (Artical)
It’s that rare vacation moment when everyone is happy at the same time. And all it took was an old-fashioned train in a remote Arizona town and a singing cowboy leading the kids in a spirited rendition of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."
The railway runs between Williams, Arizona, and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
"Our kids have never been on a train before," said Mary Macho, visiting from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, with her husband, 10-year-old twins and 8-year-old. "This is a new adventure for all of us."
"And this is a lot better than me having to drive!" adds her husband Dennis.
We’re on our way to the Grand Canyon via the Grand Canyon Railway — the way tourists came more than a century ago, before the natural wonder was designated a national park in 1919.
The Railway, in fact, is credited with revolutionizing this spectacular place, opening the region to widespread tourism. Before then, the remoteness of the area — and the arduous trip by horseback or stagecoach to get here — kept most people away.
That was difficult for the kids in our train car — iPods and video games in hand — to even imagine. Today, the Grand Canyon is one of the most visited national parks in the world, drawing nearly 5 million people a year, most coming by car.
My young cousins from Denver, 6-year-old Ethan Sitzman and his 4-year-old sister Hannah, who have joined me, along with their parents, couldn’t be happier that they’re on the train and not buckled in their safety and booster seats as we make our way the 65 oh-so-scenic miles to Grand Canyon National Park.
As parents compare vacation notes, cowboy singer Craig Summers perches on the side of their seats to strum his guitar, while the older kids make a big fuss. "I didn’t even know this guy this morning and now he’s my best friend," says Ethan. Now, that doesn’t happen in the back of the minivan!
"The best part of the trip is the other kids you meet," says 9-year-old Joshua Jeffries, Ethan’s new buddy. Jeffries, like Ethan, is from suburban Denver.
Little Rock, Arkansas, dad Joe Whisenhunt was more interested in sharing the history of train travel with his four kids, watching the scenery with them instead of driving unfamiliar roads with squabbling kids in the back seat.
Onboard the Grand Canyon train, the journey is actually as much fun as the destination. Parents play cards with the kids, trade quips with the cowboy entertainers, help themselves to snacks and drinks and keep their eyes peeled for wildlife. (We’re supposed to sing, "Home on the Range" when we spy an antelope.) Our friendly steward, Lorraine Oresko, a five-year veteran, offers tips on what to see when we arrive.
Whisenhunt didn’t mind a bit that the family could have driven for far less money — round-trip tickets start at $40 for kids and $70 for adults. Ask about AAA discounts. And in honor of the 50th birthday of the diesel locomotive, if you are turning 50 or celebrating your 50th anniversary, you can ride the train for free.
The train, besides being a good history lesson, is also good for the environment. It carries more than 225,000 passengers a year, reducing auto traffic to the South Rim by 10 percent. Instead of steam locomotives, cleaner and more efficient diesel locomotives are used.
"This is money well spent," said Whisenhunt. No matter how bad the economic news, he added, "You have to keep going and make memories."
And this train ride — not to mention a visit to the Grand Canyon — certainly is one for the memory books. The experience can be even more memorable at Christmastime when the train becomes the Polar Express, complete with Santa.
"Our kids are getting older and won’t want to travel with us too much longer," says Alice Schmookler, mother of three, ages 14, 12 and 9. She and her husband, Sandy, are also happy to have the opportunity to show their Florida-bred kids such a different landscape.
Some of our fellow passengers chose to return on the train that afternoon, but we spent the night at a Grand Canyon lodge so that we could have more time to explore. The train makes it so easy — they transferred all of our bags so we could head right out. The bags were waiting in our rooms later — and would be delivered back to the train the following day.
Thanks to Max and Thelma Biegert for making this possible. By the ’50s, more and more tourists were driving to the Grand Canyon instead of taking the train and the train eventually shut down in 1968. Only after spirited (and expensive) efforts by the Biegerts did train service resume in 1989.
Nine years later, the Grand Canyon Railway was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the quaint Williams Depot was renovated. A hotel soon opened and two years ago, Xanterra, which oversees the hotels and lodges in the Grand Canyon and other national parks, took over the train and depot hotel.
For us, the train fun started before we even got on board — with a Wild West show at Williams Depot in Williams, Arizona. "Those aren’t real guns are they?" asked a worried Hannah. As if on cue, the cowboys got up, dusted themselves off and told more jokes.
On the way back, the kids are too smart for the "train robbers." They recognize them from the Wild West show and just giggle as they make their way through the car, followed by the "sheriff."
Sure it’s hokey. But it’s fun — for the grown-ups as well as the kids. And these days, that counts for a lot.
Royal Scotsman
Your Carriage Awaits… To step aboard The Royal Scotsman train is to step into a different world. Here luxury, civility and gracious hospitality evoke gentler times; the romantic age of travel when getting there was as much fun as arriving. Join us for a journey through ancient mountains and mysterious lochs, golden glens and charming villages.
Unhurried is a word that sits beautifully on The Royal Scotsman. Here in sheer luxury; sumptuous, refined surroundings, you feel all the world like an honoured guest at a private party. And, of course, you are. With a maximum of only 36 guests aboard at any one time, you have plenty of space, time and encouragement to do as you please. Enjoy the company of others, sit idly with a good book or simply let the beauty passing by your window wash over you. On your train tour with us, there’ll be time enough to enjoy something a little more active.
of Welcomes and Adieux… On The Royal Scotsman nothing is too much trouble. From the moment our piper welcomes you aboard in Edinburgh, to the moment you return to this historic city, you’ll be in the very best of hands, on the very best of trains. Place yourself in our care, aboard the finest luxury train in the world. [more information]
El Transcantábrico
El Transcantábrico started to run in 1983 along the same railway lines as the old coal trains of the historic La Robla Railway, which took coal from León to Biscay.
Just one hundred years after the mythical Orient Express was inaugurated, the first tourist train in Spain began to run between León and Santiago de Compostela, making a journey of 8 days and 7 nights through the history of Spain from prehistoric times to the present day.
When you board the train, you will be given a warm welcome by the crew. They are a group of professionals who will accompany you throughout the trip and be entirely at your disposal.
You will also receive a detailed programme of each day’s events and the national, international and local newspapers.
At night, after dinner, our luxury coach will take you back to the train and you will be able to spend an animated evening in our on-board pub.
We hope that you will enjoy the culture, the art, the countryside, the food and, of course, the pleasure of being on the train. [more information]
Royal Canadian Pacific
When it comes to luxury rail tours, Royal Canadian Pacific offers the finest experience in the world. A Royal Canadian Pacific experience is about leaving the world of everyday life behind and relaxing; revitalizing in an environment of rail travel… the way it was meant to be.
The Royal Canadian Pacific takes you through some of the most rugged, inaccessible and spectacular terrain in the world along the historic Canadian Pacific Railway lines.
Experience the wonder of the Rockies by rail as you breathe in the beauty of sapphire rivers and lakes, the towering pines of the snow capped Rockies, and marvel at the abundant wildlife in Yoho and Banff National Parks.
Fully refreshed, your luxury vacation will take you to Banff, Lake Louise, the top of the peak at Kicking Horse Resort in Golden, the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel in Cranbrook, the UNESCO World Heritage site Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump in the foothills of the Rockies, and the Homeplace Ranch in the Alberta Prairies.
So step aboard our fleet of Canadian Pacific Railway vintage business cars for the ultimate in luxury rail vacations. The spectacular Canadian rocky mountain scenery, five-star hospitality and luxurious accommodations onboard the Royal Canadian Pacific ensure that this luxury holiday will be the "tour of a lifetime".
More Information: Click Here
The Blue Train
The routes of The Blue Train – both scheduled and chartered – take guests through some of the most breathtaking countryside to be found anywhere in the world. As the ever-changing scenery flashes past the windows, guests can savour exquisite meals freshly prepared on board by top chefs. Our meals are complimented by the best wines South Africa has to offer.
The suites on The Blue Train live up to its reputation for magnificence and splendor. The finest bed linen, marble tiles and gold fittings in the bathrooms and sheer opulence all ensure that guests will never forget the time they spend on The Blue Train.
When you choose to travel on The Blue Train, you choose to travel in a world of grace, elegance and romance.
Tours are from Cape Town to Pretoria or from Pretoria to Cape Town
The Rocky Mountaineer
The spectacular highlights of the Canadian Rockies are yours to discover when you travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer® and experience "The Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World"™. Each Rocky Mountaineer ® rail vacation features spectacular scenery and unmatched onboard service, with an overnight stay in comfortable accommodations midway so that you do not miss the spectacular scenery.
Traveling aboard the Rocky Mountaineer ® is a remarkable experience, considered by many to be the trip of a lifetime. Two-day rail journeys recapture the romance of rail travel as they follow the historic train route constructed over 100 years ago that united the country through Canada’s West and the Canadian Rockies. The entire train journey takes place during daylight to ensure that you enjoy every minute of the breathtaking scenery of glacier-fed lakes, majestic mountains ranges and ferocious rivers.
The Rocky Mountaineer ® train travels in both eastbound and westbound directions between the beautiful coastal city of Vancouver, British Columbia, the resort town of Whistler, British Columbia, and Jasper or Banff and Calgary, in Alberta.
These are the Canadian train vacations that made the Rocky Mountaineer ® famous throughout the world! [more information]
Verde Canyon Railroad
A ride on Verde Canyon Railroad‘s historic route from Clarkdale to the ghost ranch of Perkinsville and back, into Arizona’s other grand canyon, is an unforgettable experience.
Home to America’s national symbol, the majestic bald eagle, Verde Canyon is accessible only by rail. The historic route is nestled between two national forests and adjacent to a designated wilderness area. This unique geological wonderland features rugged, high desert rock faces and spectacular panoramic views. This distinctive confluence of desert and wetland is populated by a variety of wildlife, which thrives among the indigenous trees, shrubs, cactuses and wildflowers. Passengers on this popular excursion train are enthralled as the eagle-decorated vintage engines roll past towering, crimson cliffs, near ancient Indian ruins, over old-fashioned trestles and through a 680-foot manmade tunnel on a four-hour round trip to deserted Perkinsville Ranch and back. Expert narration and guides leave passengers with a sense of history, archaeology, geology, wildlife and the Indian lore of the Verde Canyon. Original music also is an integral part of the excursion that takes passengers through Arizona’s longest-running nature show. Verde Canyon Railroad, nestled in the heart of the expansive Verde Valley, is ideally located above the heat of the desert and below the cold of Arizona’s high country. |
Ride the Verde Canyon Railroad
The Verde Canyon Railway is not far away from Phoenix. Take a train trip through a beautiful canyon in central Arizona. The Verde Canyon Railroad (formerly the Verde Valley Railroad) of Arizona was originally built to support Arizona’s richest copper mine, located in Jerome. Now visitors enjoy the Verde Canyon Railway excursions to enjoy a leisurely trip, view the natural surroundings and participate in special events.
The Verde Canyon Railroad offers a 4 hour, out and back, train excursion along the beautiful Verde River. They also offer numerous special events including Easter Bunny and Christmas trips, Mystery Trips, Wine Tasting (Grape Escape) trips and, for you chocoholics, the Chocolate Lover’s Festival in February. In the summer, look for moonlight trips where you travel out during the sunset and back under starry skies.
The Verde Canyon Railroad offers first class cars with couch seating, tables, personal service from an extensive bar and a snack buffet. The coach class cars are typical of railroad travel from the ’30′s and ’40′s with row seating and no tables. Both classes of travel can access the open air observation cars.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
1860 – 1882 |
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The City of Durango was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881, and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. By July of 1882, only 11 months after construction began, the tracks to Silverton were completed and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad began hauling both passengers and freight. From the very beginning, the railroad was promoted as a scenic route for passenger service, although the line was constructed primarily to haul mine ores, both gold and silver, from the San Juan Mountains. It is estimated that over $300 million in precious metals has been transported over this route.
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1882 – 1911 |
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By 1885, the population of Silverton had grown to 1100 and Otto Mears completed the toll road to Ouray, and additional narrow gauge track out of Silverton was laid down in 1887. In 1893, 10 large mines in the Silverton district were forced to close when silver prices dropped from $1.05/oz to $.63/oz; just three years later, the Yankee Girl and Guston Mines played out. In Durango, the fire of 1889 virtually destroyed downtown and the first automobile arrived by train in 1902. By 1906, Mesa Verde was designated a National Park increasing the potential for tourism promotions.
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1911 – 1938 |
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Throughout the next twenty years the railroad faced many challenges; slides, floods, snow, war, and financial instability. When the United States entered WW I, the government assumed operation of the railroad. Shortly after resuming control of railroad operations, the D&RGW reorganized due to financial difficulties. Silverton suffered devastating effects from the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918 – 10 percent of the population died in just six weeks! In addition, the Gold King Mine closed, the Sunnyside Mine temporarily ceased operations for almost ten years and the Silverton Railroad closed.
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1940 – 1962 |
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With the start of WW II, the US Government requisitioned narrow gauge equipment to use in Alaska, and the smelter in Durango reopened to process uranium for use in the war; the smelter continued to process uranium instead of silver into the late 1940′s due to the Cold War. By 1947, the Silverton branch was in danger of being abandoned; but a determined staff stepped in and helped to promote tourism, keeping the line alive. When Hollywood discovered Durango and the railroad, several movies showcasing the train were filmed in the area over the next ten years: Ticket to Tomahawk, Across the Wide Missouri, Denver & Rio Grande, Viva Zapata and Around the World in 80 Days.
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1964 – 1981 |
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During the latter part of the 1960′s, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was registered as a National Historic Landmark and was awarded as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. In 1969, the D&RGW abandoned the tracks south of Durango, isolating the line and leaving the future of the railway in question. Hollywood continued its fascination with the area and the railroad with the filming of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. As the railroad prepared to celebrate its 100th birthday, Charles E. Bradshaw, Jr. purchased the Silverton branch and with the restoration process complete, Engine #481 returned to service after 20 years in retirement.
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1981 – 1988 |
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Throughout the 1980′s, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad continued to build on the scenic tourist railroad industry. Engines and coaches began to be weatherized for winter use; a third train to Silverton was added to the schedule along with an alternative fourth train to Cascade Canyon Wye; major track reconstruction occurred as nearly ten thousand ties were replaced. Locomotives #497 and #480 were restored and returned to service, the #497 being the only K-37 to run on the line, and the innovative RailCamp was built for use in the summer. In 1985, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad purchased the Silverton Depot, returning it to service. By 1986 there were four trains running to Silverton with a fifth running to Cascade Canyon Wye!
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1988 – Present |
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118 years later, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad continues to provide year-round train service, operating a historical train with rolling stock indigenous to the line. The locomotives used to pull today’s train remain 100% coal-fired and steam-operated; the locomotives are 1923-25 vintage and are maintained in original condition. The coaches each feature bathroom facilities and are heated during the winter months for passenger comfort, and open gondola cars provide a panoramic view of the mountains. Concessions, snacks and beverages are available on every train.
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Alaska Railway / Railroad
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Tours starting in:
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Anchorage
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Fairbanks
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Seward
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Whittier
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Juneau
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Click here for full listing of all Alaskan tours and trips
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To the Aleut peoples, Alaska was "Alyeska," meaning the great land. Visitors today are likely to agree: Alaska is truly one of the world’s special places. Those who visit can’t help marveling at the exotic wildlife, magnificent mountains, glacier-carved valleys and steep, rocky coastline. And after they spend several days encountering one wonder after another, they marvel at just how much of this special place there is to see. It’s no wonder that more and more travelers visit Alaska each year, particularly aboard cruise ships.
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