5 great American train rides

NY Post ^ | May 4, 2010 | DAVID LANDSEL

[Willie Green]

From Alaska to New Hampshire, slow down and savor the scenery

WHEN you consider rail travel in this country, what comes to mind? Okay, we’ll go first. Inconvenient. Slow. Often excruciatingly expensive. Old trains. Dirty trains. Surly service. Bad food. Did we mention the old trains?

Okay, we’ll stop. True, there are trains in developing nations more appealing and efficient than on many an Amtrak route, but if you think there’s no romance to American rail travel, you probably haven’t done all that much of it.

From Alaska to the Rockies, we’ve selected five fun train trips to help you get your feet wet. (And just in time for National Rail Day this Saturday, how ‘bout that?)

1) Denali Star Alaska

Beavers, caribou, wolves, bears, moose, waterfowl, Mt. McKinley — you’ll see it all on this classic Alaska Railroad train that links Anchorage with Fairbanks. The 12-hour day journey brings you past some of the 49th state’s most impressive scenery.

Info Summer fares from $210 one-way; alaskarailroad.com

2) Skunk Train Mendocino, Calif.

In its past life, this colorfully-named train was a logging railroad — now the restored cars run through Northern California’s skyscraping redwood forests in peace and harmony. The 40-mile trip takes you from the coastal town of Fort Bragg to Northspur and back again.

Info Round-trip from $40; skunktrain.com

[Willie Green]

For this year's summer vacation, see America by train!!!

[catman67]

New Hampshire has screwed up the Mount Washington Cog Railway by replacing the woodburning steam engines with “clean burning” diesel; causing the trip to lose much of its aesthetic appeal.

Article should have included the Cass (WVA) Scenic Railway, as well.

[mountainlion]

Too long of a drive to catch a train. This is the one I would take though.

http://www.cumbrestoltec.com/

[Verginius Rufus]

I didn’t even know you could take a train from Alaska to New Hampshire, or I might have tried it.

[Paladin2]

Diesel? What about filling the elbow wrinkles in my jacket with unburned coal particles? It won’t be the same.

[a fool in paradise]

All that money spent on Houston’s rail and we STILL didn’t make this list!

[Rufii]

In 1995, when I visited Chama, NM, where one can catch the Cumbres & Toltec train mentioned in the article, I saw steam locomotives being used to haul freight. Visiting that town was like traveling through a time warp to the 1920’s.

[TexasCajun]

If the Houston Transit Rail System was a private entity, the Federal Government would have shut it down long time ago.

It has to have the highest accident/incident rate of all the world's rail systems.

[Rufii]

There's also the Fillmore and Western Railroad, which operates between Fillmore and Santa Paula, Calif. The trains are pulled by a diesel locomotive, but some of the vintage cars date back to 1918.

[Eye of Unk]

Its been said that children with Aspergers Syndrome are absolutely attracted to the sound of train wheels going by.

I have found it true in my case as I have recently found that I and my son have it. The reason I say this is for most of my life I have always tried to live near train tracks and in my young adult years I hopped freight trains all over the western US.

My favorite train ride is from Roseville, CA to Sparks, Nevada on a freight train, about 17 tunnels you go through.

I agree the Princess Cruise Denali Express up here in Alaska is superb, especially when the weather is good. I have a complete set of the authentic painted colors of the Alaska Railroad car set.

[mountainlion]

I think most would agree that if these were converted to electric that it would be worse than the diesel engines. The smell of burning coal and the untamed scenery would not be the same with overhead wires, the horrible whine of electric motors and the smell of ozone.

[stevie_d_64]

Hardy Har Har...

You know they have that authentic, genuine immitation tape recording of a steam locomotive’s whistle that goes off at all the street crossings...

Maybe its only on the Lee (period) Pee (period) Brown memorial train car???

I dunno fer sure...

[gop4lyf]

If you ever get the chance, don’t pass up the Durango-Silverton railroad in Colorado. Awesome, awesome experience!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durango_and_Silverton_Narrow_Gauge_Railroad

[The Great RJ]

I am planning a trip on the Black Hills Central Railroad in a few weeks. My previous ride was nothing short of spectacular.

However, I would also add the Boone and Scenic Valley RR in Boone, Iowa to the list. They have the last steam locomotive produced (made in China) and the scenery is fantastic particularly in the fall.

[Erasmus]

Here's one close to Denver that's a little smaller in scale, but still spectacular: The Georgetown Loop.

I had a chance to ride it while in Colorado Springs on business; unfortunately, it was before they had restored the hight trestle. Guess that means I have to go back, doesn't it?

[cornfedcowboy]

Ditto! The Durango to Silverton is not to be missed! Take the train ride up and get a seat on the Right side. Then take the bus ride back down(about 30 minutes).