Best Train Journeys in North America
By Josh Lew, Mother Nature Network
For more than a century, trains ruled the world of mass transit. They were simply the best and safest way to get from A to B. Even today, rail remains a viable transit choice in places with modern, high-speed networks (like Japan and Western Europe). In North America, however, outside of a few city subway systems and a handful of high-traffic regional lines, trains are no longer a major part of the car-and-plane-dominated modern transportation scene.
However, passenger trains do still run through North America. They remain a viable option for unhurried travelers and people in search of a greener and more scenic way to get wherever they are going. The environmental benefits of rail are real, and so is the fact that it is safer to ride in a train than to get behind the wheel and take your chances on the highway. Those who can find the right routes and adopt an unhurried mindset will come away from their time on the rails with the impression that trains are still one of the best ways to journey though North America.
Want to see what the tracks of the U.S. and Canada have to offer, including Castle Mountain outside Banff, Alberta, shown in the photo? Read on!
The Canadian: The undisputed headliner of VIA Rail Canada's menu of routes is a lengthy line that runs between two of the country's main urban areas. Aptly referred to as the Canadian, this four-day epic takes riders between Toronto and Vancouver. It passes some trademark North American landscapes, with the tracks running alongside forests, prairies and the Rockies before reaching the lush coast of British Colombia. Passengers get to see Canada's most famous landscapes during the journey. The trains that operate on this route have glass-roofed viewing cars that are specially designed for sightseeing. The Canadian might not be faster than a plane ride between the two metropolises, but with sleeper cars and other classic train traits, it is infinitely more comfortable than taking to the skies.
Coast Starlight: One of the most attractive train routes in the U.S. runs the length of the West Coast, from Seattle to Los Angeles. Riders in search of legendary scenery will find more than they could hope for along this line, dubbed the Coast Starlight. It passes through the rugged but famously beautiful Pacific Northwest, the mountains and forest landscapes of Northern California, the scenic Central Coast and the dry hills of Southern California. Running for more than 1,300 miles, the Starlight also passes through many of the West Coast's urban headliners: Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco and San Jose. Sleeper cars and dining cars can turn this journey from a sightseeing trip into a classic railway experience.
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The Adirondack: The Adirondack is a scenic Amtrak route that passes through its namesake mountains in Upstate New York on a journey from New York City to Montreal. In addition to winding through the forested peaks of the Adirondacks, the train passes through the famous Hudson River Valley during its 11-hour, 380-mile journey. This is one of the few trains in the U.S. that crosses an international border. With more than 100,000 riders per year, the Adirondack is a popular train for practical reasons (it connects the financial hubs of the Eastern U.S. and Quebec). But, because its route runs through some of the best scenery that the region has to offer, it is worthwhile to travel purely for sightseeing as well. Also, because both New York and Montreal have great subway systems, it is possible for Big Apple-to-Montreal travelers to get from door to door using nothing but trains.
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Durango & Silverton: Some trains are maintained solely for sightseeing and tourism purposes. That is the case with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado. This old-fashioned, narrow gauge line stretches for 45 miles and gains nearly 3,000 feet in elevation during its journey. Yes, the cowboy-era rail cars and steam engines make the Durango train a unique experience, but it is the views from the windows that make this ride a truly amazing trip. Colorado's snow-capped 14,000-foot peaks dominate the panoramas as the train chugs upward at the low speed of 18 mph. Adventure-minded travelers can add a day to their trip and ride the alpine zip-lines and experience the other outdoor attractions in and around Silverton.
Coastal Classic: Rail riders will find plenty of scenery along the other routes in this article, but nothing can compare to a trip along the tracks that run through Alaska. Perhaps the most scenic of the 49th state's show-stealing rail routes is the Coastal Classic, a 114-mile journey between Anchorage and the coastal town of Seward. This line skirts a highway for part of the journey, but then breaks off into wild, roadless, uninhabited landscapes. Alaska's rugged coastal mountains, forests and glaciers punctuate this wilderness rail journey. In a state that is usually characterized by bush planes and lonesome highways, the Coastal Classic provides a unique ride.
Related: 10 of the greenest parks in the U.S.
Rocky Mountaineer: The Rocky Mountaineer does not match Canada's other rail routes in terms of length, but the service can challenge any route in the country in terms of scenery. The Rocky Mountaineer Company runs several routes. The Whistler Sea to Sky Climb, which runs from Vancouver to the famous ski destination of Whistler, is the most popular. However, the Mountaineer's service area stretches all the way to Calgary and Jasper, Alberta. These trains are built and operated mainly for sightseeing (though the Whistler route does have an element of practicality for tourists). Trains run only during the day (the longer routes require an overnight stop). Still, cruising from lowlands through forests, foothills and mountain peaks has an undeniable allure, especially for riders seeking postcard-like views. This spectacular image shows Kicking Horse Canyon, reached via the First Passage to the West route.
The Ocean: The route between Montreal and the eastern city of Halifax is arguably one of the most scenic, and definitely the most overlooked, of Canada's rail routes. This overnight trip follows the St. Lawrence River and passes through the eastern provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Dubbed The Ocean, because it runs all the way to the Atlantic, this is arguably one of the most scenic lines in Canada, and provides visitors with an up-close look at the landscapes of the provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
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Southwest Chief: Amtrak has several long-haul routes. One of the most interesting, from a scenery and diversity of landscape perspective, is the Southwest Chief. Covering the complete length of this line means riding from Los Angeles to Chicago. The Chief passes through the deserts and mountains of the Southwest and the plains of the Midwestern states. This is one of the most practical routes from a tourism perspective, because it stops near Southwestern destinations like Santa Fe and the Grand Canyon.
Empire Builder: Another days-long option is the Empire Builder, a train that makes a long-haul journey between Chicago and Seattle. This routes cuts through the lake country of Minnesota and the plains of North Dakota before moving through the legendary Big Sky landscapes of Montana and the diverse and little-visited areas of northernmost Washington and Idaho.
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