2002 Society Tours

 

FEBRUARY

Sierra Madre Express
January 31-February 7 with IRT President and Publisher Owen Hardy
Take an excursion through Mexico's beautiful Copper Canyon aboard the U.S.-owned and operated Sierra Madre Express. Join Society President Owen Hardy on one of his favorite journeys. The comfortable train ­ voted by IRT's editors as one of the world's top 20 railway experiences ­ climbs up the western face of the Sierra Madre Mountain range to offer unparalleled views. You'll also meet the Tarahumara people, one of the most isolated tribes in North America.

This tour includes a combination of overnights on the train and at hotels, as well as a number of off-train side trips such as hiking, horseback riding, shopping and sightseeing. Our members had high praise for Sierra Madre Express after their tour last February: Most of them loved it, and many want to go back!

What IRT members have said: "The Sierra Madre Express is a wonderfully well-managed tour. Most anything I could have wanted was provided. Their people are professional, courteous and accommodating." - Bob Vinsec, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, concerning the Society's Feb. 2001 excursion

 

APRIL

An Austrian Railway Feast
April 19 - May 4, 2002
Join us on this popular tour of Austria's plethora of railway experiences with Werner Schorn and Gunnar Holmqvist, IRT's new tour guides who were a hit last spring! Included are scenic mainlines such as the first standard-gauge mountain railway over the Semmering Pass, meter- and smaller-gauge lines including the Ybbstalbahn, Achenseebahn (a steam-powered cog railway), the famed Mariazellerbahn, Salzburg's Lokalbahn and the tiny steam Zillertalbahn. Also: streetcars galore, including the Stubaitalbahn, a mountain-climbing streetcar in Innsbruck. In between train rides, we visit three of Austria's most beautiful cities: Salzburg, Innsbruck and, of course, Vienna, with its efficient transportation network. And our last city is exciting Munich.We've planned the itinerary so that you have plenty of time in each city, without frantic changes from hotel to hotel.

 

MAY

American Orient Express' Pacific Coast Explorer, Seattle to Los Angeles
May 13-20, 2002
Our special Society of International Railway Travelers® host on board this trip will be Karl Zimmermann, noted rail author and very popular host on board the Sierra Madre Express last February. On this trip, the beautiful train and the beautiful scenery share center stage. First the train: it offers wonderfully restored cars from the Streamliner Era of the '40s and '50s. This is the maiden voyage of the AOE II and features several new cars, including a newly-restored Vista dome car for even more exciting viewing.

The two dining cars offer gourmet meals in a beautiful setting with tablecloths, china and cutlery. The round-end observation car allows unrestrained views of the wondrous scenery: towering mountains, sweeping golden beaches, stunning San Francisco, the Napa Valley, the incredible Lassen Volcanic National Park and Shasta Historic State Park.

Pass through beautiful Feather River Canyon, one of America's most scenic rail routes. Also, visit Portland, famous for its microbrewers and great light rail system. This tour starts in the "Emerald City" of Seattle and ends in Los Angeles. We are planning a special, members-only pre-tour led by Mr. Zimmermann in Seattle. Please inquire about it when you call for information.

What IRT members have said: "We just had the best time when we went on the AOE. It was just fabulous. We thought it was the best trip ever. I'm ready to take another one. We like the trips with smaller groups that go to interesting places." - Mr. and Mrs. John Biggie of Florida, Pacific Coast Explorer, May, 1999.

The Three Faces of Switzerland: A Railfan's Quest
May 25 - June 7, 2002
A wonderful journey through the French, Italian and German parts of Switzerland, led by Werner Schorn and Gunnar Holmqvist. From the Alps to Ticino, this trip - extremely popular when we premiered it in 2000 - is packed with great trains and trams, outstanding hotels, great food and incredible scenery. Our homes will include lovely four-star hotels on Lakes Geneva and Maggiore, Zürich's Glockenhof and the five-star Schweizerhof in Lucerne. Railway features include the Centovalli Railway, the Mont Blanc Express, and several meter-gauge mountain railways including the Rigibahn and Gornergratbahn. A fitting cap to the journey: dinner on a chartered tramcar restaurant in Zürich.

What IRT members said about it: Neal Tilghman of Dover, Del., who traveled with Schorn and Holmqvist to Switzerland this year: "After the tramcar dropped us off, we all stood around talking on the corner. Nobody wanted to leave! Nobody wanted to break the spell. It was a great trip!"

 

JUNE

INTRAV's "Waterways of the Scottish Glens," with Royal Scotsman add-on
Cruise: June 12-23, 2002

Spend seven nights cruising through the dramatic scenery of the Highland lochs and along the quiet waterways of the Caledonian Canal. Encounter tree-clad shorelines, wooded hills, towering mountains, magnificent castles, enchanting towns unspoiled by excessive tourism, and historic places that are some of the most romantic in the whole of the British Isles. Lord of the Glens, completely refurbished in 2000, will be your cruising vessel. Measuring 150 feet in length, with a 35-foot beam and draft of 12 feet, this ship conforms beautifully to the requirements of the Scottish locks and provides its 48 passengers with exacting standards of comfort and quality.

Royal Scotsman Pre-tour: June 9-11, 2002

The independent four-night pre-tour includes two nights on the luxurious Royal Scotsman and two nights in Edinburgh. This train will allow you to drift back to the romantic age of railway travel and start your experience in Scotland with an outstanding rail journey. "The train flies past lush-green hills and valleys, sparkling blue glens, grazing sheep and small villages, stopping to visit romantic castles and special places" (Patricia M. Lee, The International Railway Traveler, Issue 128, Feb. 2002). Through the years, every time it has been written about in The International Railway Traveler®, this train has received top ratings, including the distinguished honor of being voted one of the "Top 20 Rail Experiences in the World" by IRT contributing editors.

 

 

JULY/AUGUST

American Orient Express' Trans-Canada Journey
with Karl Zimmermann
July 23-August 1, 2002; August 1-10, 2002
Step aboard North America's premier luxury train, the American Orient Express, for a journey across one of the most scenic countries in the world. For those beginning in the east (July 23 departure), take in Montreal and Ottawa before heading west across the Canadian Shield, through Winnipeg and Saskatoon, and on towards the Rocky Mountains. We'll stop at the Jasper National Park and travel by Snocoach across the Athabasca Glacier. The August 1 departure operates the same itinerary in reverse. Enjoy the beautiful scenery this country has to offer in style and elegance, with wonderful meals and superb service. Karl Zimmermann, respected rail author and photographer, will be the guest lecturer on both departures.

We are also delighted to arrange a wonderful pre- or post-tour option: a 3-night Victoria add-on, with overnights and tea at the 5-star Empress Hotel, tour to Butchart Gardens, transfers and more (about $550 per person, plus tax). For those who want to sample another of IRT's Top 20 Rail Experiences in the World, add the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver - Banff (about $1,150 per person, plus tax).

 

 

 

Clipper Cruise's "Exploring the Hidden Fjords and Glaciers of Alaska's Inside Passage"
May & August 2002
This unique Alaskan itinerary is designed to give you an in-depth, close-up perspective of America's last frontier. The pre- or post-tour begins in Fairbanks, and includes an extended stay in Denali National Park, more than 9,000 square miles of wilderness. If the weather cooperates, see Mt. McKinley, at 20,320 feet. Here, you have the opportunity to spot wildlife, mountain ranges draped in snow and glaciers. Then, take the McKinley Explorer, with its glass-domed cars with diners, to Anchorage. Experience spectacular views of the tundra, seemingly endless mountain ranges and deep river canyons visible only from the train.

Step aboard the Yorktown Clipper in Juneau or Ketchikan, and then venture to wilderness areas where no large ship can navigate, to secluded places beyond the reach of ordinary travel. Experience the wild and free spirit of Alaska - its bald eagles, pods of humpback whales, vast glaciers, and hidden fjords where puffins and kittiwakes nest in the rocky walls. We'll visit the small towns and picturesque communities whose hardy residents embody the Alaskan spirit. By sailing with fewer than 140 passengers, we are able to experience daily life in these small communities without "invading" them. We are also happy to arrange a pre- or post-tour option using several wonderful trains of British Columbia. The May departure is already sold out! Limited availability on August departures!

 

SEPTEMBER

Pullman Glory Years: Time Travel on the Private Car Dover Harbor
September 3-9, 2002
We are chartering a private car in the U.S. for this special tour, which
will accommodate only eight passengers. We will relive the classic Pullman
experience while exploring the Pullman company's history, along with other
aspects of passenger railroading in its golden age. Leading this unique tour
will be Karl Zimmermann, noted rail author, photographer, travel writer and
lecturer. The route will be Washington, D.C.- New York
City-Chicago-Washington. The tour's centerpiece is Dover Harbor, a
beautifully restored and authentically appointed sleeper-buffet lounge from
the "heavyweight" or "standard" era that predates streamliners. Most nights
will be spent on board our private car; other nights are spent in hotels in
Washington and New York. Off-train highlights include private tours of
Washington's Union Station and New York's Grand Central Terminal and an
all-day tour in Chicago focusing on understanding George M. Pullman and his
era. Several meals at wonderful, local restaurants and on board the train.
Again, there is room for only eight on this special excursion, so don't
wait!

The Inaugural Trans-Caucasian Steam Express
September 2-16, 2002
In June, 2001, The Society of International Railway Travelers® sponsored one of its most successful tours to date: The Trans-Siberian Express by Private Train. In September, 2002, join the inaugural trip of the Trans-Caucasian itinerary on the same train. This journey takes the group through gorgeous scenery, through Georgia, Armania and Azerbaijan, from the Black Sea to the Caspian and through the foothills of the Caucasian Mountains and Mount Ararat. Although future tours on this same itinerary will include some steam haulage on scenic sections, this tour is planned to be steam THROUGHOUT. You will see the ancient capital of Georgia, the Georgian Military Highway (built by Tsar Alexander I over the Caucasus Mountains), Stalin's birthplace, snow-covered Mount Ararat, Lake Sevan, and Batumi, the ancient city on the Black Sea. GW Travel Ltd. of England, our partners for the Trans-Siberian journey, will also be running this great "Hotel on Wheels" journey. It starts in Tbilisi and ends in Baku on the Caspian Sea. We are happy to lend a video about this train.

Royal Canadian Pacific Golden/Crowsnest Excursion
September 19-24, 2002
Savor the unparalleled beauty of western Canada coupled with the glamour of the wonderfully restored Royal Canadian Pacific. Join IRT Tour Director Eleanor Hardy on this luxurious train, which has played host to such dignitaries as Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth. It is limited to 22 pampered passengers. Enjoy glorious meals, impeccable service and comfort as you roll through the country's pristine landscape. Travel through the Spiral Tunnels; visit Fort Steele Heritage Town and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump; enjoy a private, guided tour of Spruce Meadows. This tour begins and ends with overnights in Calgary's famous Palliser Hotel.

A Customized Journey by Rail Through Southern Africa
September 28-October 21, 2002
This train-packed journey features four of the region's best: the Blue Train, Rovos Rail, the Union Limited, and the Desert Express. Other highlights include: five-star, deluxe hotels, Victoria Falls, the Cape of Good Hope, Kruger Park and a Zambezi River cruise. (Most memorable siting on this cruise by our members: baby giraffes in the wild with their mothers.) This is always a popular trip, so don't miss out! Tour members' favorite train: The Pride of Africa, by Rovos Rail. The tour will be led by Karl Zimmermann, who has written extensively about Africa's trains. Optional post-tour: two-night stay in an exclusive private game reserve.

What IRT members said: "We spent a month in China about 10 years ago, and thought that it would be our best trip ever, but your hard work has topped that one." - Peter and Mary Ann Boerner of Texas, commenting about their September, 2000 Africa tour.

 

OCTOBER

New Zealand's Rail Wonders
October 2002
Our New Zealand tour boasts 11 days of mainline steam plus many extras. Highlights include steam trains, incredible scenery and our guide, Allan Boyer of the South Island - delightful, knowledgeable and a lifelong railfan.

The rail system in the south island features fabulous rugged, open country, rain forests, snow-capped mountains called The Alps and desert - all with extraordinary views from the train. "You see snowy peaks out one window and the other way, you've got the wild Pacific Ocean, which is home to sperm whale, albatross, New Zealand fur seals," Mr. Boyer says. The North Island offers mountains as well as active volcanoes blowing steam and a fantastic spiral through the national park. After leaving the steam tour, we'll ride the Taieri Gorge Limited and Kingston Flyer, enjoy farm stays in Lumsden, cruise Milford Sound and take in Queenstown. Optional pre-tour: 2 nights in Auckland, with stops at the Mainline Steam Workshop and Glenbrook Vintage Railway. Members may borrow a video, "New Zealand Steam," to see some highlights.

What IRT members said: "This trip is one of the best we have been on. Good work people!! Keep it up!" - Dr. & Mrs. Tom Loescher of Tucson, Ariz., who took this tour in 1999.

 

Various Dates Available

Rocky Mountaineer
Various dates available, April - October; December, 2002
Experience the Canadian Rockies aboard one of the Rocky Mountaineer's all daylight tours. Spend days on the train and nights in hotels along the way. Upgrade to GoldLeaf Service and take in the beautiful scenery from the Dome car; this service also allows access to the open-air observation platform - one of the best parts of the train. Dining is also an experience, with an excellent staff and delicious meals; GoldLeaf passengers enjoy their meals in the elegant restaurant cars. Rocky Mountaineer Railtours offers so many itinerary choices, everyone will find something to fit their schedule - from two days (Vancouver-Banff/Calgary) to 12 days. Most tours begin or end in Vancouver, making it easy to combine the Rocky Mountaineer with the Royal Canadian Pacific or a BC Rail/VIA Rail adventure. Without a doubt, this is one of IRT's Top 20 Rail Experiences of the World!

"The Rocky Mountaineer's GoldLeaf Dome service may well be the standard by which the world's cruise trains should be judged. Some might even call it obsessive." (Owen C. Hardy, The International Railway Traveler, No. 78, Oct. 1996)

BC Rail & VIA Rail
Various dates available, May - October, 2002
Explore British Columbia aboard BC Rail's trains and ferries; combine VIA Rail and/or the Rocky Mountaineer to extend your adventure. BC Rail's newest train, the Whistler Northwind, runs between North Vancouver and Prince George, stopping in Whistler and 100 Mile House along the way (northbound takes 3 days; southbound 2 days). The Northwind is the only luxury touring train in North America where every seat is a dome seat. If you need to get there faster, the Cariboo Prospector runs the same route in one day without stopping. We recommend either of these journeys - or both, one each direction. Or, do a circle back to Vancouver: take VIA Rail's Skeena from Prince George to Prince Rupert; BC Ferry's Queen of the North to Port Hardy, motorcoach to Courtenay and take VIA's Malahat to Victoria. Want to take in all of Canada? Try VIA Rail's Canadian Toronto-Vancouver (3 days). Their Silver & Blue class provides access to a domed lounge and dining car. Rail travel in Canada offers endless possibilities. Let our Tour Desk put together an itinerary for you!

Great South Pacific Express
Various dates available, January-December, 2002
Though Australia's Great South Pacific Express does not yet have the reputation of the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, it aspires to the same high standards of luxury and service - and accomplishes these standards with pride. The train's 20 carriages have a vintage look but are all brand new; the air-conditioned sleeping compartments all have en-suite bathrooms with shower.

"I looked out my [compartment] window and spotted a dozen kangaroos in a grassy meadow. Only in Australia!" (Ginger Dingus, The International Railway Traveler, No. 112, Oct. 1999)

Cuban Rail Historian Adventure
February 9-24 & March 2-17, 2002
See the greatest remaining concentration of serviceable American-built steam locomotives in the world. They come together every year for Cuba's sugar cane harvest, and you can be there to photograph them. Spend two weeks traveling from mill to mill, with enough run-bys to please any rail photographer. Take a ride on the "Hershey Electric" interurban railway and spend three nights at the splendid beach resort of Guardalavaca. Tour by Trains Unlimited. IRT members get booking bonus.

Al Andalus Express
Departures most Saturdays, March-November, 2002
Enjoy a week long journey through the Andalusia region of Spain, birthplace of flamenco and "tapas." Travel round-trip from Madrid or Seville on board this train, a 12-car hotel on wheels. Sample the best and most traditional Spanish dishes, topped off with the best wines, as prepared on board and in the best restaurants along the way. Admire the Spanish countryside - landscapes of olive trees and sunflowers, marvelous white villages and magnificent cathedrals - while playing cards or reading. Stop for interesting sightseeing daily.

"This is a good value for your money. It was the greatest way to see southern Spain. We would do it again in a blink." - IRT member Patrick O'Leary, Terre Haute, Ind., who traveled on the Al Andalus in 1999.

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