Shinkansen

The Shinkansen or bullet train is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. It was initially built to connect distant Japanese regions with Tokyo, the capital, to aid economic growth and development. Beyond long-distance travel, some sections around the largest metropolitan areas are used as a commuter rail network.The original Tokaido Shinkansen, connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, three of Japan's largest cities, is one of the world's busiest high-speed rail lines.

Tag: Favourites tag
Date Dec 18

Alishan Forest Railway

Alishan Forest Railway is an 86 km network of 2 ft 6 in narrow gauge railways running up to and throughout the popular mountain resort of Alishan in Chiayi County. The railway, originally constructed for logging, has become a tourist attraction with its rare Z-shaped switchbacks, and over 50 tunnels and 77 wooden bridges. Taiwan's Ministry of Culture has listed the forest railway as a potential World Heritage Site.

RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: Oct 28

Landwasser Viaduct

The Landwasser Viaduct is a single-track six-arched curved limestone railway viaduct. It spans the Landwasser between Schmitten and Filisur, in the canton of Graubünden. With its 65m high pillars, tapering towards the top, the viaduct is one of the most elegant bridge constructions in Graubünden. The most frequently photographed feature of the Rhaetian Railways. Between Thusis and St. Moritz the Landwasser viaduct is the most spectacular construction on the 63 kilometers long Albula stretch. And the Albula and Bernina routes of the scenic Rhaetian railway form part of the UNESCO World Heritage list since mid July 2008 – as first of three railway lines worldwide.

Unesco: Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes
RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: July 28

Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal's Beaux-Arts interior measures 275 feet long by 120 feet wide, and the vaulted ceiling is 125 feet high.

RR: 10 Countries RR
Date: Dec 26

Semmering Railway

The Semmering railway in Austria, which starts at Gloggnitz and leads over the Semmering to Mürzzuschlag, was the first mountain railway in Europe built with a standard gauge track. It is commonly referred to as the world's first true mountain railway, given the very difficult terrain and the considerable altitude difference that was mastered during its construction. Set against a spectacular mountain landscape, the railway line remains in use today thanks to the quality of its tunnels, viaducts, and other works, and has led to the construction of many recreational buildings along its tracks.

Unesco: Semmering Railway
RR: Unesco RR
Date: Nov 12

The Paranaguá-Curitiba Railway

The Paranaguá-Curitiba Railway is a railway that connects the cities of Paranaguá and Curitiba. Built between 1880 and 1885 by Antônio Ferrucci and João Teixeira Soares, it has 110 kilometers of track, with 14 tunnels, the largest being 457 meters long, as well as ten intermediate stations and thirty bridges and viaducts. It is one of the most exciting and scenic travel routes in Brazil. It crosses the mountain range along the southern Brazilian coast.

RR: RR Francophone
Date: April 22

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus, is a historic railway terminus and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railway. The station has been designed by Frederick William Stevens.

It is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. It  became the symbol of Bombay as the Gothic City and the major international mercantile port of India. Its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture. 

Unesco: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)
Tag: Offer tag
Date: Oct 23

St Arnaud railway station

St Arnaud is a closed railway station on the Mildura railway line. It was built in 1879, when the Ballarat to St Arnaud line finally arrived in the town. Today this well built structure still stands, and even though no passenger trains have called here since 1993 on a regular basis, the yard still sees use for freight. It has been added to the register of heritage buildings of state importance.

Thanks a lot Marnie!
Date: Aug 23

Gornergrat Railway

The Gornergrat Railway is a mountain rack railway, located in the Swiss canton of Valais. It links the resort village of Zermatt, situated at 1,604 m above mean sea level, to the summit of the Gornergrat. The Gornergrat railway station is situated at an altitude of 3,089 m, which makes the Gornergrat Railway the second highest railway in Europe after the Jungfrau, and the highest open-air railway of the continent. The line opened in 1898, and was the first electric rack railway to be built in Switzerland.

RR: Monthly Favourite Surprise RR - June 2022
Date: June 19

Alishan Forest Railway

The cherry blossom season of Alishan attracts countless tourists every year to visit the beauty of the flower and the century-old steam train. In 2021, Alishan Forest Railway launches the theme train SL-31 Steam Locomotive to celebrate the coming of spring. 

Thanks a lot Julie!
Date: Sept 30, 2020

Kalka Shimla Railway

The Kalka–Shimla railway is a 762 mm narrow-gauge railway in North India which traverses a mostly mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla. It is known for dramatic views of the hills and surrounding villages. The rail network holds the Guinness Book of World Records for its 96 kilometers steepest rise in the altitude with crossover of 800 bridges and viaducts, it is one of the most beautiful hill railways in India.

Unesco: Mountain Railways of India
RR: December Alternative RR
Date: Dec 4

The Jacobite

The Jacobite is a steam locomotive-hauled tourist train service that operates over part of the West Highland Line in Scotland. It has been operating under various names and with different operators every summer since 1984. It has played an important role in sustaining a scenic route. Described as the greatest railway journey in the world, this 84 mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes. It crosses the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct, a location made famous in the Harry Potter films, which overlooks Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument.

Thanks a lot for this great card Sabine!
Tag: Offer tag
Date: May 16