10 Must See (and Read) Books & Movies Featuring Trains
May 04, 2020 · By Vacations By Rail
Read the book, watch the star-studded film, or better yet – plan a train trip to experience it for yourself!
Read moreSteam train trips are an ideal way to experience the beautiful European countryside. This is the best way to experience what travel was like during the heyday of steam trains. The UK & Europe are home to a collection of iconic steam trains, and the Jacobite Steam Train is arguably the most famous. Passengers admire some of the most breathtaking Scottish scenery, from Ben Nevis to the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Linnhe, on the journey between Fort William and Mallaig. Elsewhere in the UK, the Royal Windsor Steam Express chugs across the River Thames from London to Windsor and showcases lovely sites while indulging guests in a classical English brunch. The North Yorkshire Moors Railroad makes excursions through Yorkshire's wild landscapes on a route that includes some of the oldest railway tunnels in the world.
Steam train rides on the continent are just as noteworthy and are perhaps some of Europe's best-kept secrets. Consider Germany's Brocken Railroad, which is hauled by a steam train engine and takes travelers to the highest peak in the Harz Mountains. Switzerland is known for its scenic rail journeys, and the Furka Steam Railway is no exception, with spectacular views of the Central Alps, the Furka Pass, and the Rhone and Mutt Glaciers. Steam rail tours in Switzerland also include the Brienzer Rothorn Railway, which dates to the 1890s. This mountain train's claim to fame is its red panorama coaches and the opportunity to see more than 690 peaks on the journey. Steam rail tours showcase some of Europe's most renowned trains and spectacular scenery.