Special Trains Today

There are many special trains running today, as tourist trains primarily, that are worth looking at. Many of them are luxury trains specifically aimed at tourists who are not on a tight budget. We intend to feature some of these and will be adding to the list continually. You'll also find a few others on our "Famous Trains" pages though they tend to be regular, scheduled services rather than tourist trains.

For those seeking something entirely different, and very relaxing, the Napa Valley Wine train makes an ideal way to spend a few hours. Running on tracks originally laid in the 1860s from Napa to St Helena the Wine train is not only a gentle excursion through the stunning countryside and vineyards of the Napa Valley, but also a fine dining experience, meals, using the very best local, organic and fresh seasonal ingredients, prepared by on-board chefs individually in each carriage. Served with the best Napa wines, naturally !

The train normally comprises three lounge cars, one with a wine tasting bar; two gourmet dining cars, a grill car and a Chef de Cuisine Kitchen car with glass observation corridor. To top it all off, literally, there is a vista dome car from where you can look out at the slowly passing scenery, at its best in the autumn perhaps as dusk approaches and the light takes on a glorious lilac hue. The train, which has been operating for 20 years, runs throughout the year and is hugely popular, especially at holiday times when reservations are highly recommended. For reservations and more information go to: http://winetrain.com/

The Venice-Simplon Orient Express is a very popular train linking London with Venice. More information can be found on our "Orient Express" page.

The Golden Chariot is a luxury train running on special tours through southern India, from Bangalore to the popular beach resort of Goa – but you only get to spend one day there. You also get to visit Mysore along the way. Although the train is very luxurious there are many side excursions by bus or other forms of transport so this is not simply a glorified train ride. A total of just 44 air-conditioned compartments offer the on-board guest luxurious travel – you can also indulge in a good massage and there is even an on-board gym and spa.

The Deccan Odyssey is another Indian luxury train, departing from Mumbai on India's west coast with visits to the stunning Jaigad Fort, Goa, Pune,the Aurangabad Caves, the incomparable Taj Mahal, Nasik and back to Mumbai, a one-week journey.

The Palace on Wheels is regarded as the ultimate luxury train in India. It departs on regular tours starting from New Delhi to begin the one-week tour of Rajasthan, stopping at Jaipur (the Pink City), across the Thar Desert to Jodhpur, Udaipur, Agra (for the Taj Mahal) and back to New Delhi. Comprising 14 luxury coaches, each named after former Rajput states, with a level of on-board luxury that makes five-star hotels look positively ordinary, guests also have the choice of two exquisite restaurants, the Maharajah and the Maharini where you can enjoy the very best of Indian cuisine or more western dishes if you choose.

The Danube Express is a fairly new luxury train running through what is often known as "mittel-Europa" – Bohemia, Hungary, Romania, Poland and Germany. A luxury train of up to a dozen carriages it starts its tours in various cities, Brussels, Berlin, Budapest or Istanbul. Six different itineraries allow you to take a simple two-night trip between Budapest and Istanbul, for example, from Budapest through Prague and Nuremburg to Brussels; Berlin to Budapest through Dresden, Carlsbad and Prague; or the Polish Explorer route from Berlin to Budapest via Gdansk and Cracow. Each itinerary gives you time to explore the cities along the route.

The Blue Train runs for almost 1000 miles between Cape Town and Pretoria, in South Africa. It used to operate also to Victoria Falls (in Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe). Started in 1923 as the Union Limited and Union Express trains, linking in with the great shipping lines of the day, the train originally carried passengers from Johannesburg to Cap Town, whence they would take the ocean liners to England. By 1933 dining cars had been added and in 1939 the train became air-conditioned, though service was suspended during the Second World War, only resuming in 1946.

Promoted by its operators as a five-star travelling hotel it certainly lacks nothing in the luxury stakes, with 18 carriages carrying just 82 guests in 41 suites, each of which has shower or a bath. The train is soundproofed, fully carpeted and has gold-tinted picture windows and full butler service. There are two lounge cars (one smoking, one non-smoking) and an observation car. For those taking advantage of the on-board dining (and everyone does) there is a requirement for gentlemen to wear jacket and tie; "elegant" wear for ladies. With prices of up to almost R16,000 (US$2,000; €1,500; £1,100 one-way) you can imagine just how good the service is on this train, which leaves Pretoria at 8.50 am and arrives in Cape Town at midday the following day, almost exactly the same timings northbound. A second train takes the famous "Garden Route" through South Africa's wine-growing country from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.

The luxurious journeys are made possible by two Blue Train sets. The first train accommodates 74 guests in 37 suites. The second accommodates 58 guests in 29 suites and features a conference or observation car at the back of the train. The trains travel at a speed of 90 kilometres per hour (58,2 mph). Both are 336 metres (433 yards) long and consist of 17 and 16 carriages respectively, 10 and 8 of which are for the use of the guests. The weight of each train is approximately 825 metric tons, excluding the locomotives. They each carry 31 000 litres (6820 gallons) of water. Two diesel-powered generators - one of which is always on standby - are used to supply The Blue Train's demanding power requirements. The kitchen car is a masterpiece of stainless-steel design. The fully air-conditioned car features walk-in cool rooms and freezers, ensuring that wines and hors d'oeuvres remain at optimum temperatures

All the public cars are fitted with gas-filled air-conditioning systems. A standard internal temperature of between 20 to 21°C (70 to 72°F) is maintained throughout the journey. For the comfort of guests, each suite has individual temperature controls which range from 18 to 24°C (65 to 77°F). These systems are water-cooled and each suite has its own fresh air intake. During cold periods, all systems are provided with heating cycles from the air-conditioning units, as well as under-floor heating. Heating systems have been fitted under the marble tiles of most of the bathrooms. Photo (left) is of the Blue Train in 1946.

The Rocky Mountaineer is a luxury train service running through the Canadian Rockies (in British Columbia and Alberta) with three prime routes (all running in both directions). You can choose to travel from Vancouver to Whistler (home to the 2010 Winter Olympics), and on to Jasper: from Vancouver to Jasper; or from Vancouver to Banff and Calgary.

The trains leave Vancouver early morning, taking 48 hours to reach Banff (but with an overnight stay in Kamloops, when you leave the train and stay in an hotel as there is no on-board sleeping accommodation) and Calgary is an extra day. The other routes also involve one overnight stop so you do not remain on the train for days on end. On board no luxury is spared, especially in Gold Leaf Service, the premier class, with access to a magnificent domed observation car, superb dining and seating in modern carriages (this is not an "historic" train – in fact it only began in 1990 and uses very modern rolling stock). The greatest luxury, though, is the spectacular scenery gliding past your window all day and as this is really the most photogenic place on the planet, it is a trip not to be missed. For details and to book go to: www.rockymountaineer.com/

For those whose love is Asia the Eastern & Oriental Express will be one choice that will be difficult to refuse. A luxury train operated by the same company as the VSOE, this train runs gently through the lush landscape of Thailand and Malaysia, into Singapore. Its routes are either between Singapore and Bangkok via Kuala-Lumpur, Bangkok and Vientiane, the capital of Laos, or Chiang-Mai to Singapore via Bangkok. The train itself was built in Japan in 1972 and was used in New Zealand until 1993 when, after extensive interior redesign to feature Thai and Oriental themes, it began operations between Singapore and Bangkok. Its popularity has led to this initial itinerary being expanded to today's routes. The E&OE also features an observation car at the rear of the train where you can feel the wind in your hair as the countryside rolls by.

Not to be confused with the Flying Scotsman this is an unashamedly tourist train that winds its way through the highlands of Scotland on various itineraries from two to five nights' duration. The quintessential Royal Scotsman experience and certainly one of the most popular journeys is the "Classic" four-night trip. After following the east coast up to Keith you head across to the picturesque west coast village of Plockton, before making your way to Inverness and then south to Perth. A private ceilidh at Strathisla and your personal invitation to visit Ballindalloch, with its magnificent house and gardens, are just two of the highlights. Along the way there is time and opportunity for fishing, clay pigeon shooting or guided walking along Caledonian pine forest trails.

Other itineraries include a five-night trip along the west coast of Scotland where you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the West Highland Line and an exclusive view of Mount Stuart, a spectacular Victorian Gothic house. Then after some free time in Edinburgh experience the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands as you head north, enjoying a leisurely journey up the east coast through Aberdeen to Keith. Try your hand at some outdoor activities on the Rothiemurchus Highland estate and enjoy a visit to Scone Castle. One of the lovely things about the Royal Scotsman trips is that guests are asked to dress for dinner, normally with dinner jackets for the gentlemen. A lovely tradition.