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PRESS RELEASE Switzerland's 'Glacier Express' voted World's Top Train Trip
Switzerland's Glacier Express, billed as the world's slowest express train, ranked number one this year in The International Railway Traveler's readership poll: "World's Top Rail Experiences." The train takes a full day and the services of three private, narrow-gauge railroads to traverse the 168 mountainous miles between two posh resorts-Zermatt and St. Moritz.
"Best trip across the Swiss Alps," proclaimed Richard A. Perry, a member of The Society of International Railway Travelers®, which conducted the poll in its monthly newsletter. South Africa's Rovos Rail, an Edwardian fantasy featuring mammoth compartments-some taking up half a railway car-was the clear second-place winner. "Simply the best train I've ever been on in virtually all respects," said Dr. Fred Laubscher.
The Society counts about 2,000 rail-traveling members worldwide who have traveled just about everywhere flanged wheels roll over steel rails. They were given just one rule: Respondents had to have ridden every train or route they chose.
Besides the top two, Society members singled out 21 more trains in this first-ever poll. Here are their votes, ranked by preference within geographical areas (for more details, see pages 6-7 of the October newsletter):
THE BEST RAILWAY EXPERIENCES IN THE WORLD,
BY THE MEMBES OF THE SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY TRAVELERS®
*(This train/route tied with the one preceding it.)
North America
1) Amtrak Coast Starlight (U.S.A.)
2) Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
3) Amtrak California Zephyr (U.S.A.)*
4) Canadian (Canada)
5) Royal Canadian Pacific (Canada)
6) White Pass & Yukon (U.S.A.)
7) Cumbres & Toltec (U.S.A.)
8) Durango & Silverton (U.S.A.)*
9) American Orient Express (U.S.A.)
10) Sierra Madre Express (U.S-owned, operates in Mexico)*Europe
1) Glacier Express (Switzerland)
2) Bernina Express (Switzerland)
3) Eurostar (United Kingdom, France)
4) Flåm Line (Norway)
5) Golden Pass Route (Switzerland)*
6) Royal Scotsman (Scotland)
7) Kyle-Inverness Route (Scotland)*Rest of World
1) Rovos Rail (South Africa)
2) Blue Train (South Africa)
3) Union Limited (South Africa)
4) Indian Pacific (Australia)
5) The Ghan (Australia)
6) Queenslander (Australia, soon to stop service)*
The Society of International Railway Travelers®, now celebrating its 20th year, is a membership organization of individuals who enjoy rail travel. Benefits include special international rail trips for members and a monthly subscription to The International Railway Traveler® newsletter. Annual U.S. membership dues are $65 ($75 for Canada; $80 elsewhere).
To become a member, contact The Society of International Railway Travelers by telephone (800) 478-4881 (outside U.S.: 502-454-0277), fax (502) 458-2250 or e-mail us.
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