I’ve always been interested in trains. Ever since I inherited an older cousin’s Lionel set, with real steam and a crossing guard who came out of his hut to swing his lantern every time the train passed, I’ve been enthralled with trains. And as an adult I’ve indulged the passion by "taking the train" whenever and wherever possible.
Alas the best of today’s operating trains in America are excursion carriers rather than scheduled passenger transportation. But even so, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the unique experience of being carried along at speed in excited relaxation while watching the country roll by.
My favorite train trip in North America is from Toronto to Vancouver aboard Canada’s ViaRail through the Canadian Rockies with the opportunity to see or stop at Jasper, Banff, Lake Louise and any number of other picturesque stations. (We reported on the Canadian Rockies recently in Passport Newsletter.)
In Europe, travel by train is the only way to go. Whether it’s London to Yorkshire, Paris to Marseilles or Madrid to Budapest, the train—or trains—offer an experience that can’t be matched from 25,000 feet in the air. I’ve even tried what’s called "Hard Class" on an Indian train, and though it was, indeed, hard, it was great fun with delightful people. I’d do it again.
I must admit that although I’ve been on most of today’s great excursion trains such as the Venice-Simplon Orient Express (where no one looked any more sinister than myself), the Eastern & Oriental Express from Singapore to Bangkok, South Africa’s Blue Train and India’s Palace on Wheels, I much prefer to ride the rails on a scheduled passenger run, just as E.M. Frimbo did for so many years. And if you don’t know who E.M. Frimbo is, get yourself a copy of All Aboard with E. M. Frimbo, World's Greatest Railroad Buff.
Paula "Hold that Train!" Gifford