AMTRAK BEFORE WE WENT FROM SANFRANCISCO TO SACRAMENTO JULY2008
BAIRDSTRAVEL`S FAVOURITE TRACKS OF THE WORLD
Welcome to my favourite Train journeys. To be honest I`ve not done that many spectaclur train trips . I would love to take the William Tell express or go on the Trans Siberian Express across Russia. Even head north up
the coast of Norway . The Ghan in Australia is another must do`s.Travelling from Vancouver to Jasper through the Rockies was special.
TRAVELLING THROUGH THE CAIRNGORMS IN SCOTLAND BOUND FOR AVIEMORE
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MY FAVOURITE TEN TRAIN TRIPS
IN NO ORDER
1 Glasgow to Mallaig
My favourite train trip . The West Highland line
The most scenic railway journey in the UK .
The cost is around £30 but is a bargain . Take your own beer
and snacks.
West Highland line tops world's best rail journey poll |
 The line includes the Glenfinnan viaduct |
The West Highland line has been voted the world's greatest rail journey for the second year running. Readers of independent travel magazine, Wanderlust put the trip ahead of other routes including the Trans-Siberian Express and the Orient Express. The line from Glasgow to Mallaig is 164 miles long and runs by Loch Long, Loch Lomond, Loch Etive and Loch Eil. It crosses the world's first concrete rail viaduct at Glenfinnan, which was featured in the Harry Potter films. Passengers can also see the silver sands of Morar and Britain's most westerly station at Arisaig. The line has also featured in programmes such as the BBC's Great Railway Journeys of the world. The Eurostar, Trans-Siberian Express, Cusco-Puno in Peru and the Ghan in Australia completed the top five line up, according to readers of the magazine. The awards attracted almost 2,000 readers' votes. Wanderlust editor-in-chief Lyn Hughes said: "It's great to see the West Highland Line once again topping the list - proving that you really don't need to travel to far flung destinations to experience truly breathtaking scenery." |
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2 Oslo to Frognerseteren
Stunning short journey
Take Line no.1 from the city centre or from Majorstuen
all the way to the end station, which is Frognerseteren.
Follow the path to the right down the hill. It is a 3 minute walk.
to have apple pie and cream at Frognerseteren cafe and enjoy the stunning views over Oslo .
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3 Pisa to Cinqueterre The five lands
Bairdstravel took the train from Pisa to Monterosso .Takes about 1.30hrs and the fares are very cheap. Between the five lands there are footpaths or take the Train.In the summer there is a boat service between the villages
VERNAZZO One of the towns of the five lands
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4 The Peaktram Hong Kong is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong: It is absolutely incredible! Looking down from The Peak you'll be amazed by the spectacular view of the surrounding city skyline, the world-famous Victoria Harbour and Kowloon, towering skyscrapers an
d peaceful green hillsides.
Getting there is an unforgettable trip. There's nothing in the world like the Peak Tram. Pulled by steel cables, the tram climbs 373 metres (about 1,200 feet). It's so steep that the buildings you pass look like they're leaning at a 45°angle! Whether you're going up or coming down, you'll love this trip.
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5 - Last Train to Xian Central
We stock up with supplies for our 16 hour train journey from Beijing to Xian, around 5 o'clock we leave Beijing's main train station, we are booked in Soft Class which means we have a bunk to sleep on, later I had a look at the other classes and was pleased where we were staying, we had a nice private compartment with four beds in it, I take the top bunk.
As we leave Beijing the views from the train are very interesting, we pass through many villages and the land is very flat. As time goes on the darker it gets........so let the party begin... Fifty odd Scotsmen together on a train means the drink will flow, "Flower of Scotland", "I belong to Glasgow", The Northern Lights" are all belted out from different carraiges, I was in a compartment with another 12 squeezed in, one of the staff on the train comes in to see what the all the commotion was......
"hey gae that man a drink" someone shouts..... no response from the guard...... "take a sma' whisky" some one ..... shouts
This is turning into something out of Chewin the Fat, he leaves in a hurry but returns five minutes later with a jam jar which he receives a large one in, we all introduce ourselves and he says his name is Coco, after a few more halfs he leaves the worse for wear, never to be see again.
A few hours later a member of the transport police is offered a drink, which he declined and lifts his jacket to show his pistol, we don't offer again, time to catch some sleep.
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6 Riga to Jurmala Latvia
Bairdstravel feeling a bit rough after late night in the Riga`s Skyline bar
7 Berlin to the Olympic Stadium
Taking the local train out to the Olympic stadium, the Olympiastadion has a strong footballing tradition. Historically, it is the ground of club Hertha BSC Berlin. It was also used for 3 matches in the 1974 FIFA World Cup. It hosted six matches, including the final, in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was renovated for that reason. The German Cup final match is held each year at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
8 Toronto to Niagara Falls
Not the best railway journey I have ever been on but it good to experiance Via Railways . Plus the final destination is first class.
Toronto`s famous Union station
9 Bergamo to lake Como
Lake Como (Lago di Como) is one of the famous Italian Lakes destinations, not far from Milan in the north of Italy. Lake Como is long (50km), slender and extremely deep. The southern end forks into two long 'legs', with the picturesque town of Bellagio situated on the promontory between them
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10 Moscow Metro
The Russian capital`s World famous underground trains . There are no signs in English which makes it a challenge . Like to thank my cousin for keeping us on the right track.
BAIRDSTRAVEL WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU .
If you have been on a famous railway journey please let us know.
GREAT DAY TRIP FROM RIGA TO JURMALA ON THE BALTIC SEA
JASPER CANADA
BUDAPEST
VICTORIA STATION LONDON
NEW YORK TO WASHINGTON
PARIS HEADING BY METRO TO DISNEYLAND PARIS
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN AND OWNED BY BAIRDSTRAVEL
FOOTBALL SPECIALS
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Late 70`s and early 80`s the Scotstoun boys [now known as GFGC]travelled Scotland on the infamous Football specials .
These trips were not for the faint hearted. I loved the excitement of the outward journey . Which was one big party but the return trip was not so plesant .
There were special contests to see who could fit their seat out the window
and a one hour journey could take 4 hour due to crazy people pulling the emergency chord. There was great aircon due to window being removed.
AH THEY WERE THE DAYS