LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 16, 2009 — The U.S. and Mexico gave way to Norway and Britain this year as The Society of International Railway Travelers(R) today announced its annual list of “The World’s Top 25 Trains.”
The selections appeared in the just-published Special Edition of The International Railway Traveler(R) magazine: The IRT Society’s Best-Loved Railway Journeys - 2009(TM). The Society of IRT, an organization of travelers who love the comfort, romance and fun of great trains, celebrates its 26th year in 2009. The list and the special edition are available at http://www.irtsociety.com.
Two Norwegian routes appear this year: the stunning Flam Line, a steep mountain railway connecting a pristine fjord at the tiny town of Flam with Myrdal, a stop on the equally magnificent Oslo-Bergen Railway.
The Norwegian trains are government-run, first-class (but not luxury) and do not bear individual names, as is the case with most of the other World’s Top 25 Trains. But they do offer a window on some of the world’s most magnificent scenery.
New to the Top 25 is the British Pullman, which completes the British leg of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journeys between Paris and London. It also offers myriad day trips and special excursions.
Gone from the list are N. America’s GrandLuxe Express and Sierra Madre Express, victims of the economic downturn. The U.S. luxury train GrandLuxe Express ceased operation last summer. The U.S.-owned, first-class Sierra Madre Express, which ran in Mexico’s Copper Canyon for over 25 years, also shut down when a major U.S. tour company pulled its entire 2009 program from the train.
“The North American train closings had nothing to do with their quality,” said Owen C. Hardy, CEO & Publisher of The Society of IRT. “Both were exceptional and extremely popular with American travelers.” Negotiations are underway for each to be sold and reopened with new management, according to IRT Society sources.
Listed below, in geographical order, are the winning trains and principal countries or areas of operation:
North America
1 - Canadian (Canada)
2 - Royal Canadian Pacific (Canada)
3 - Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
South America
4 - Andean Explorer (Peru)
5 - Hiram Bingham (Peru)
Africa
6 - Blue Train (South Africa)
7 - Pride of Africa (Rovos Rail) (South Africa)
Asia/Indian Subcontinent
8 - Palace on Wheels (India)
9 - Eastern & Oriental Express (SE Asia)
10 - Shangri-La Express (China/Tibet)
11 - Toy Train on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (India)
12 - Deccan Odyssey (India)
Europe
13 - Danube Express (Central Europe, Turkey)
14 - British Pullman (Great Britain)
15 - El Transcantabrico (Spain)
16 - Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express (Russia)
17 - Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
18 - Glacier Express (Switzerland)
19 - Bernina Express (Switzerland)
20 - Royal Scotsman (Scotland)
21 - Flam Railway (Norway)
22 - Bergen Railway (Norway)
“Down Under”
23 - Ghan (Australia)
24 - Indian Pacific (Australia)
25 - Sunlander (Australia)
For additional information, see http://www.irtsociety.com or email tourdesk@irtsociety.com. Call (800) 478-4881; (502) 454-0277. Write The Society of IRT, 2010 Edgeland Ave. #100, Louisville, KY 40204.
Contact:
Eleanor Hardy
(502) 454-0277
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