World's Top Twentyfive Trains-Fresh list

On January 16^th , 2008 I posted an article in this blog on WORLD’S TOP TWENTY FIVE TRAINS on the basis of the report of The Society of International Railway Travelers. But who are there in this Society? They are intelligent, experienced travelers from all over the world who love the comfort, romance and fun of traveling on great trains. Owners, staff and editors have evaluated trains all over the world for their magazine, The International Railway Traveler®, giving us a unique perspective and objectivity. Owen and Eleanor Hardy, of Louisville, KY, USA, are the sole owners of Hardy Publishing Co., Inc., and The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. International rail-travel specialists celebrated their company’s 25 th Annivesary in 2008.

But there have been some changes in the list and other stuffs related to the world’s top twentyfive trains since I posted my article on this. Eleanor Hardy,President, Society of International Railway Travelers has informed me - “I just wanted to let you know, sadly, that one of the trains on our list has gone out of business as of a few months ago. GrandLuxe Express is now selling their rolling stock and equipment. Bon voyage to a great train”. He also has remarked –“I wanted to pop a note to all of you folks out in Sydney moaning about your suburban rail service. Perhaps it is true that it's not as fast, or as on-time as some others, but Sydney itself is a transit lovers' dream, and everything, from rail to ferries to buses, works together to get you where you want to go. Come to the US sometime to see what a dismal situation we have in many major cities -- just no really good ways to get around except by car. (Some cities of course have fantastic systems but they are the rarity.) Our Society of International Railway Travelers members have absolutely loved visiting Sydney and have enjoyed your long-distance train Indian Pacific and Ghan -- how cool is that to have TWO cross-continental trains?”

So I feel to make a fresh list of the World’s Top Twentyfive Trains from six continents. I think that for people who can afford –travelling in these trains is most enjoying affair of modern world. It’s more attractive than staying in the most luxururious hotel of the world as you can have the equal amenities and comforts in travelling in these trains as you have the added opportunity of passing through nature-the forests, seaside, cities, deserts and everything you love to imagine! It’s like living in your imagination! Here are the fresh list as published by The Society of International Railway Travelers.

Africa

1.Pride of Africa (Luxury)

Europe

2.Venice Simplon-Orient Express (Luxury)

3.Royal Scotsman (Luxery)

North America

4.Royal Canadian Pacific (Luxury)

Europe

5.Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express (First Class)

6.Danube Express (First Class)

Asia

7.Deccan Odyssey (First Class)

8.Shangri-La Express (First Class)

9.Eastern & Oriental Express

Europe

10.Glacier Express (First Class)

11.Bergen Railway (First Class)

12.Flam Railway (First Class)

13.Bernina Express (First Class)

South America

14.Hiram Bingham (Luxury)

15.Andean Explorer (First Class)

Europe

16.El Transcantabrico (Luxury)

Africa

17.Blue Train (Luxury)

Europe

18.British Pullman (Luxury)

North America

19.Rocky Mountaineer (First Class)

20.Canadian (First Class)

Asia

21.Palace on Wheels (First Class)

22.Darjeeling Himalayan Toy Train (Steam/Railfan)

Australia

23.Sunlander (First Class)

24.Indian Pacific (First Class)

25.Ghan (First Class)