On the rails . . .

AUSTRALIAN owned International Rail has just launched its new live booking system for rail systems in UK and Europe, allowing agents to book trains instantly for their clients. Available for trains in the UK, Europe, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, as well as popular intercountry services such as Eurostar and overnight trains; the website will connect directly to the European reservations systems, managing director Jonathan Hume said.
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Back on track

THE Alaska Railroad will restore all regularly scheduled freight and passenger services beginning today, Tuesday, Dec. 4, following the 7.0-magnitude #earthquake that struck South central #Alaska on Friday, Nov. 30.

Following the earthquake, there were a number of areas that sustained damage, and some sections of track that were deemed impassable required immediate repairs. These included an area just south of Eklutna Lake as well as a portion of track south of the Cheri Lake Road crossing.

The first post-earthquake passenger train to run will be the Winter Hurricane Turn Train on Thursday, Dec. 6, followed by regularly scheduled Aurora Winter Trains this weekend. Holiday Trains will also resume service this weekend. Winter and summer services will continue as scheduled, and all package and day trip itineraries are now available for booking.



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Get steamed up in Queensland

THE future is looking bright for one of Queensland’s most -loved tourism attractions, with the steam and diesel engines of the Mary Valley Rattler again chugging their way through some of the Sunshine Coast hinterland’s most picturesque countryside. 

After many years of extensive upgrades to existing track work and improvements to its fleet of historic steam and diesel locomotives and carriages – each with their own unique story – the heritage railway experience has been relaunched after an almost seven-year hiatus. 

At its peak, the Valley Rattler, as it was then known, played host to upwards of 30,000 passengers annually. Morning and afternoon services on the Mary Valley Rattler will now run three days per week on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for a return journey from the historic Gympie or Amamoor stations via Dagun. 

Reputed to be the largest timber railway building owned by Queensland Rail during the 20th century, the historic Gympie station is the headquarters of the Mary Valley Rattler and arguably one of the most stylish and elaborate in the context of timber railway architecture.   


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Picture Credit: By Sue Allen, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org 51488514

Celebrate with The Ghan in 2019

2019 marks 90 years since The Ghan embarked on its inaugural journey cementing its place in Australian history and its reputation as one of the world’s best train journeys. To celebrate this momentous occasion you can travel in The Ghan’s 90th year and be part of the birthday celebrations. With a dedicated anniversary train, 90 days of celebrations and six signature packages featuring The Ghan.

For a truly memorable experience, board The 90th Anniversary Train, which will depart Adelaide for Darwin on 4 August 2019 – 90 years to the day since the original ‘Afghan Express’ left for Alice Springs. This one-off journey will include unique on-train experiences and off train excursions, plus a birthday party like no other in the outback.

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Picture Credit: By Roderick Eime from Australia - The Ghan, commons.wikimedia.org 66107221

On track for an unforgettable holiday

THERE are many ways to experience South Africa – but if you really want to push the boat out and do it in style, you will be hard-pressed to beat combining a safari in the greater Kruger area with The Blue Train. 

The Blue Train is an icon of #South Africa - renowned for its sumptuous ensuite accommodation, award winning wines, freshly prepared cuisine and superlative service - all the while showcasing some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes along its winding journey. Usually travelling between Cape Town and Pretoria, The Blue Train also makes occasional special departures to the Greater Kruger area allowing a select few guests the opportunity to combine their one-way rail journey with a safari, either in the Kruger National Park itself – or at one of the luxury lodges in the Greater Kruger/Sabi Sands.

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Rail journey through the Serra Do Mar Mountains

THE Serra Verde Express between Curitiba and Morretes in southern-eastern #Brazil offers magnificent views of mountain canyons, tropical green lowland and the Atlantic Ocean. 

The luxurious ‘litorina’ #train starts from Curitiba before travelling to the Morretes – a picturesque coastal city – where you can feast on a traditional Brazilian lunch of “barreado”, a type of slow cooked meat prepared in a clay pot. Then take a tour of Antonina – a city which was recognised as a National Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) in 2012. 

The train departs Curitiba daily at 8:15 returning at 19:15. A round trip on the train is priced from £44 per person based on travelling in standard economy.

www.serraverdeexpress.com

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JR East and JR Hokkaido to launch new rail pass

JR East and JR Hokkaido are launching the "JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass," a discount pass for travel in Tohoku and South Hokkaido from February 2018.

The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass gives you unlimited rides on the Shinkansen and Limited Express trains in the Tohoku and South Hokkaido areas, including Sendai, Aomori, Sapporo, Hakodate, and New Chitose Airport.

It costs 20,000 yen (About £135.00) and is valid for 5 flexible days with reserved seats.

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Peak travel pass perks

SWITZERLAND Tourism and the Swiss Travel System have announced that effective January 2018, the Swiss Travel Pass will include even more peaks and perks to its already generous portfolio of offerings.

The new year will see Swiss Travel Pass holders have unlimited access to the Schilthorn, home to the interactive Bond World 007, and Mt Stanserhorn, home to the world’s very first open-top CabriO areal cableway. 

Also from 2018, the Lucerne–Interlaken Express will be listed as the country’s fifth Premium Panoramic Train.  The Lucerne-Interlaken Express travels along a section of the renowned GoldenPass route and the Grand Train Tour of #Switzerland. A journey that takes under two hours across the Brünig Pass, passengers are exposed to incredible views of snow-capped mountains, at least five lakes of the deepest blue and raging waterfalls. 

www.myswitzerland.com/rail

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Eurostar tempting Australian travellers and travel agents

EUROSTAR is tempting travellers with an ‘Early Bird Savings’ promotion that slashes 20 percent off the cost of selected tickets while also rewarding travel agents with a $50 Coles Group & Myer gift card for every $1000 worth of #Eurostar fares booked during the sale period. 

The 20 percent reduction applies to Standard Premier (First Class) and Youth (Second Class) fares booked between 3 October and 10 November 2017. The discounted tickets are valid for travel between London, Paris and Brussels from 2 November 2017 until 21 August 2018. 

The Early Bird fares – available through Rail Plus, Rail Tickets and Infinity Rail – are exchangeable with a fee, but are non-refundable and non-transferable.

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Picture Credit: Planet Blue Adventure 49548826@N02/36860072242 London & Eurostar views via photopin

Enjoy a cocktail while you wait

EUROSTAR, the high-speed rail service linking the UK and mainland Europe, will be treating Business Premier passengers to a new range of winter cocktails to enjoy whilst relaxing in the Paris lounge.

Designed by the London Cocktail Club, the bespoke cocktails encapsulate Eurostar’s heritage, reminiscent of both British and French cultures. Featuring a range of French spirits such as pastis and Côtes de Provence rosé and typical British ingredients such as cucumber juice and fresh rosemary, the drinks are sure to suit tastes on either side of the Channel.Designed by global architects, Softroom, the Paris lounge has transformed the travel experience for Business Premier passengers. 

Situated on the top floor of the original 19th century building, and featuring high ceilings, marble fireplaces, a cocktail bar and intimate snug spaces, the lounge captures the spirit of a Parisian apartment.

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New journeys on the Napa Valley Wine Train

THE Napa Valley Wine Train recently launched new experiences, including the expansion of its inaugural and most successful tour to date, Quattro Vino, as well as new Twilight Private Tours that allows guests to enjoy an evening train journey and an exclusive dining experience. 

The Quattro Vino now includes four new tours—Legacy, Estate, Collective and a fourth tour to be announced soon—that offer an exciting culinary and wine adventure featuring stops at three of Napa Valley’s most renowned wineries aboard beautifully renovated 1915 Pullman railcars. 

The Twilight Private Tours launched July 22 and includes gourmet appetizers and wine tastings onboard, dessert and coffee upon return, and transportation to an exclusive evening dining experience at Raymond Vineyards or Grgich Hills Estate.

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Cheers to the Walla Walla Wine Train

WALLA WALLA has long been known as friendly town set in the heart of Washington's wine country, but getting there can be a challenge. The Walla Walla Wine Train by InquisiTours just made visiting a lot simpler. Travelers shouldn't have to follow in the footsteps of pioneers on the Oregon Trail, following wagon ruts for 2,000 miles. Now it's as easy as booking a tour and hopping on a train. The inclusive escorted tour showcases all Eastern Washington has to offer with stops in two of the region's unique and complimentary towns: Leavenworth and Walla Walla.

InquisiTours offers two- to four-night tours leaving Seattle and Portland. Amtrak's Empire Builder covers the first leg of the scenic journey from Seattle along the Puget Sound to the Cascade Mountains and Leavenworth with views of the water, multiple mountain ranges, and a trip through America's longest rail tunnel, the Cascade Tunnel.

Enjoy a two-night deluxe hotel stay in Leavenworth, Washington's premier mountain town. In this Bavarian-themed town, travelers can choose from a wide variety of activities, from paddle boarding, zip lines or even a visit the famous Nutcracker Museum. An organized event to a local beer garden offers guests a chance to sample some local craft beers and homemade bratwurst.

The tour journeys along the mighty Columbia River through Hanford Reach National Monument, the Columbia's last remaining stretch of wild river, into the heart of Washington Wine Country. The effects of the ice age Missoula Flood on the land combined with the mighty Columbia reveal a vast landscape that surprise even lifelong North Westerners.


While visiting many of the Columbia Valley's unique AVAs (American Viticulture Area), Red Mountain, Walla Walla Valley, and Yakima Valley guests can sample world class wines.


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Worldwide Rail Journeys Goes 100% Digital

OVER the years, Worldwide Rail Journeys (WRJ) has been privileged to bring the best in Indian luxury #rail #travel experience to the world. It has been successful in adding allure and charm to one of the most unique travel experiences in the world. For its efforts, it has been recognized with the Best Rail Tour Operator award in #India for successive years.

The Prime Minister of India has made the inspiring call for digitizing India. To make his vision a reality for travel and tourism industry, Worldwide Rail Journeys is proud to announce its complete transformation into a digitally powered, luxury train booking service. 

The Maharajas' Express, the Palace on Wheels, the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, the Deccan Odyssey and the Golden Chariot the world's most luxurious rail travel experience have all gone 100% digital.

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Travel the Tracks . . .

VIRGIN Trains’ customers are a step closer to new trains as work begins on the Azuma (Class 800) fleet, due to enter service on the east coast in 2018.

Work on the bodyshells is taking place in Kasado, Japan, before the trains arrive in the UK to be built by Hitachi’s manufacturing team in the North East. Hitachi’s UK train manufacturing team at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is home to over 900 employees including over 50 apprentices. UK build work on the Virgin Azuma will begin this summer.

The Virgin Azuma will transform travel and customer experiences when it arrives on the east coast main line next year. The fleet of 65 trains will provide an extra 12,200 seats, and faster journeys will make direct routes to new destinations such as London-Middlesbrough possible, as well as a big increase in through services from London to places such as Bradford, Harrogate and Lincoln.

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Travel by Inca Rail to Machu Picchu

INCA Rail is introducing two new additions as of January 2017. A new, enhanced version of their First Class service, which now features an Observatory- Lounge carriage with a balcony, bar and live music, as well as the launch of a new gourmet menu prepared using Andean ingredients, accompanied by wine. 

Inca Rail is also launching a new combined transfer service (bus and train) in which passengers will be collected from San Pedro Station in Cusco and taken to Inca Rail’s private parking facilities in Ollantaytambo, to then board the train for #Machu Picchu train station. For the return journey, the same sequence applies in reverse. 

www.incarail.com

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Flowering Glory: Hanami in Japan

TOBU Railway’s massive network extends through #Tokyo as well as four surrounding prefectures: Chiba, Saitama, Tochigi, and Gunma. 

With 463.3 kilometers of operating track, Tobu is Kanto’s largest private railway and is used by commuters, students, business travelers, and tourists. 

Tobu Railway will debut its new limited express service in the spring of 2017 for visitors to capture the most of #hanami (flower-viewing) in Japan.

• Ashikaga Flower Park’s major feature is it's 150 year old wisteria.

• Tsutsujigaoka Park with its long-standing history and the over-800-year-old azalea. 

• Sumida Park is one of Tokyo’s best cherry blossom spots. The park is located near Senso-ji temple and TOKYO SKYTREE, the world’s highest tower.

• Tobu Treasure Garden’s moss phlox offer a vast, pink carpet-like view Approximately 200,000 moss phloxes in this garden bloom in all glory during April. 

• Satte Gongendo’s bank of cherry trees, a place boasting around 1,000 cherry trees, where visitors can enjoy a tunnel of cherry blossoms. 

• Tsurugajo Castle Park with around 1,000 cherry trees adorning Tsurugajo Castle, with cherry blossoms reflecting on the moat’s water at night.

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On the tracks . . .

NETWORK Rail and South West Trains are giving passengers an early glimpse of how the multi-million pound re-development of the former International Terminal at Waterloo will eventually look, by using virtual reality headsets (footage available for download).

The headsets provide passengers with an immersive, 360-degree view of London Waterloo as it will be from December 2018, when the work to rebuild the former Waterloo International Terminal, and bring five platforms into regular commuter use, will be completed.

The new part of the station will be connected to the main station via a brand new bridge and concourse area, currently under construction. The work forms part of the huge £800 million investment to boost capacity at Waterloo by 30% by December 2018.

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Commemorative Train Journey

A commemorative Poppy train is being run by Southeastern trains ahead of Remembrance Sunday, taking paying passengers on a round trip from London, through Kent and on to Brighton to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

To mark 100 years since the Battle of the Somme, the train will display a new design wrap and make a rare journey along the East Sussex coast to Brighton. It is the third year Southeastern has teamed up with UK Rail Tours to run a special high speed service.

The journey will take place on Saturday 12th November and has been organised by Southeastern's Andy Harding, High Speed Fleet Engineering Manager and Kent Evenden, a Driver Manager High Speed.

Andy said: “The Royal British Legion is a fantastic organisation. We wanted to create the Poppy train to raise awareness and money to help them support the Armed Forces community and their families. In 2015 we managed to raise more than £20,500 but this year we’re hoping to donate even more – all in aid of the Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

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