Train Activities
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bamboo train
The bamboo train is one of the world's all-time classic rail journeys. From O Dambong, on the east bank 3.7km south of Battambang's Old Stone Bridge, the train runs southeast to O Sra Lav, via half an hour of clicks and clacks along warped, misaligned rails and vertiginous bridges left by the French.
Each bamboo train - known in Khmer as a norry (nori) - consists of a 3m-long wood frame, covered lengthwise with slats made of ultra-light bamboo, that rests on two barbell-like bogies, the aft one connected by fan belts to a 6HP gasoline engine. Pile on 10 or 15 people or up to three tonnes of rice, crank it up and you can cruise along at about 15km/h.
The genius of the…
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Treno Natura
A great way to see the stunning scenery of the Crete Senese, south of Siena. The line dates back to the 19th century but trains now run exclusively for tourists and are staffed by volunteers. The route loops from Siena, through Asciano, across to the Val d'Orcia and Stazione di Monte Antico and back to Siena. Trains stop at Asciano and Monte Antico and connect with the service from Florence. They only run for about 20 days a year so check the website or ask at the tourist office.
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Victorian Goldfields Railway
Maldon train station was built in 1884. Harry Potter types can go by steam with the Victorian Goldfields Railway along the original track through the Muckleford Forest to Castlemaine. For a little extra, go first class (adult/child/family $40/23/93, Sunday only) in an oak-lined viewing carriage. Magical!
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Funivia Trento-Sardagna
A scenic cable-car ride from Trento on the Funivia Trento-Sardagna brings you to Sardagna.
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La Trochita
Argentina's famous narrow-gauge steam train, averages less than 30km/h on its meandering weekly journey between Esquel and El Maitén - if it runs at speed. In its current incarnation, subsidized by the city of Esquel and the governments of Río Negro and Chubut, La Trochita - which Paul Theroux facetiously called The Old Patagonian Express - provides both a tourist attraction and a service for local citizens.
Like many other state projects, completion of the line seemed an interminable process. In 1906 the federal government authorized the southern branch of the Roca line, between Puerto San Antonio on the Atlantic coast and Lago Nahuel Huapi. In 1922 Ferrocarriles del…
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Panama Railroad
One of the best ways to fully appreciate the extent of the canal is to travel from Panama City to Colón along the historic Panama Railroad. The rails fell into disrepair during the best-forgotten days of the Noriega regime, but in 1998 the Panama government partnered with Kansas City Southern, an American-based railway holding company, to create the Panama Canal Railway Company (PCRC).
The primary purpose of the joint venture was to re-establish the Atlantic-Pacific rail link and create a profitable alternative to the Panama Canal trade route. Starting in 2001, PCRC also introduced a passenger service that included a fully-operational vintage train.
Aimed at foreign…
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Bieszczady Forest Railway
The narrow-gauge train known as the Bieszczady Forest Railway, based at the station in Majdan, 2km west of Cisna, was built at the end of the 19th century for transporting timber between Nowy Łupków and Majdan. The line was later extended north to Rzepedź and east to Moczarne, beyond Wetlina. The train on the Majdan-Rzepedź route was in use as recently as 1993, but the line has since been turned into a tourist attraction.
The train makes three runs. The 12km stretch from Majdan to Przysłup, midway between Cisna and Wetlina, operates daily in July and August and at weekends in May, June and September. The other two runs - the 17km one between Majdan and Wola Michowa…
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Old Timer Train
In summer the Old Timer Train offers excursions in vintage carriages hauled by a steam locomotive. Trains usually run between Jesenice, 13km to the northwest, and Most na Soči, stopping at Bled Jezero station and Bohinjska Bistrica. Ask the tourist office about departure times; there have been fewer trips scheduled for individuals in recent years, amounting to only about one a month in summer.
You can buy tickets from most travel agencies in Bled, including Kompas on on Ljubljanska cesta or through the organiser ABC Rent a Car (01-510 43 20; abc-tourism@europcar.si; Ulica Jožeta Jame 16) in Ljubljana.
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bamboo trains
Pursat's own bamboo trains - much less tourist-oriented than their Battambang cousins - stop at the train crossing 800m south of NH5 along the road to Kravanh. A three- or four-hour private excursion costs around US$10, or you can hop on with the locals; departures are most frequent in the morning.
For the best scenery, head towards Phnom Penh. One option is to get off at the village of Chheu Tom and catch a moto to Chhuk Laeng Cascades (Chroek Laeng Waterfall; one hour), situated 73km southeast of Pursat and 41km south of Krakor (on NH5 near Kompong Luong).
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Train Station
Maputo's imposing Train Station is one of the city's landmark buildings. The dome was designed by an associate of Alexandre Gustav Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame), although Eiffel himself never set foot in Mozambique. Also impressive are the wrought-iron lattice work, pillars and verandas gracing the exterior. Inside are some old steam engines, and the Chez Rangel Jazz Café (see Drinking), one of the city's best night spots.
Although the station is still in use, trains run infrequently and it's often deserted.
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Seminole-Gulf Railway Murder Mystery Tours
Founded in 1888, this railway operated between Arcadia and Naples with a second line running between Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice. Today, it offers 3½-hour, five-course, murder mystery dinner tours on the line's restored trains; reservations are required.
The station is near the intersection of Colonial Blvd and Metro Pkwy; from downtown, take Cleveland Ave south to Colonial Blvd east until you think you'll run out of gas; the terminal is on the left.
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Tranvía de la Ciudad
Three different tours by motorized tranvía depart from Calle 10 beside the Plaza Principal daily; all last about 45 minutes. On the same schedule, the trolley called ‘El Guapo’ goes to the Fuerte de San Miguel or its twin on the north side of town, the Fuerte de San José. (Note that the fort tours do not leave time to visit the museums within them.) Buy tram tickets and check schedules at the booth just inside the plaza from the trolley stop.
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UP Tourism Daily Tours
- Agra, India
- Activities › Train
UP Tourism runs exhausting daily tours that leave Agra Cantonment train station at 10:15, after picking up passengers arriving from Delhi on the Taj Express. The AC coach tour includes the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri with a 1¼-hour stop in each place. Tours return to the station so that day-trippers can catch the Taj Express back to Delhi at 18:55. Contact the UP Tourism office to book a seat.
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Troll Train
In summer, the cutesy Troll Train runs from outside Eidfjord’s tourist office to the waterfalls at Vøringsfossen 20km up through the steep Måbødalen, stopping en route at Måbø Farm. Instead of taking Rv7 through the tunnels, it takes the older, more beautiful road up the valley. The journey takes about one hour and tickets must be purchased at the tourist office.
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Le Petit Train
These miniature trains are a fun way to discover Noumea. They run a circular tour from Anse Vata to the city centre and on to Parc Zoologique et Forestier before heading back to Anse Vata. They also run from Anse Vata to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Purchase tickets from the driver or from Amac Tours at Galerie Palm Beach in Anse Vata.
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Oslo Toget
More organised summer activities include taking a Thomas Train City Tour or the Oslo Toget, which both do a half-hour loop around the city centre in cheerfully painted open-air trains. Tours begin every half-hour in front of the Paléet shopping centre and Aker Brygge shopping complex. There is a Christmas train in December.
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Thomas Train City Tour
Organised summer activities include taking a Thomas Train City Tour or the Oslo Toget, which both do a half-hour loop around the city centre in cheerfully painted open-air trains. Tours begin every half-hour in front of the Paléet shopping centre and Aker Brygge shopping complex. There is a Christmas train in December.
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NSB
The famous 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour, normally done between Oslo or Bergen, also works as a day tour from Voss. It involves rail trips from Voss to Myrdal and from there to Flåm, the boat to Gudvangen and the bus back to Voss (6½ to 8½ hours). Book through the tourist office, any travel agency, or directly through NSB at the train station.
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Veteran Steam Train Tour
From early June to early September, another popular excursion is the Sunday tour by Veteran Steam Train Tour between Garnes and Midtun. It begins at 09:00 on the historic ferry M/S Bruvik from Bryggen to the railway museum (%55 24 91 00) at Garnes and from there the teak-panelled train inches 18km to Midtun. The whole trip takes four hours.
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Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway Bog Tour
Ride a train into the heart of the Blackwater Bog on this tour which runs on a narrow-gauge railway line once used to transport peat. The diesel locomotive moves at around 10km per hour - slow enough to take in the landscape and its special flora, which has remained unchanged for thousands of years. Stops let you try peat cutting.
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Tren Turístico
During summer, the Tren Turístico travels from Roca station in Esquel to Nahuel Pan, the first station down the line, 20km east. The trip takes 45 minutes. It's popular with groups so book ahead. For a small additional charge, you can organize with one of the Esquel travel agencies to return by minibus.
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Funicular
Mt Gubałówka is another popular skiing area and it too offers some pistes and good conditions. It's easily accessible from central Zakopane by Funicular , covering the 1298m-long route in 3½ minutes and climbing 300m from the lower station just north of ul Krupówki.
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Bergens-Expressen Toy Train
Bergen wouldn’t be a tourist town if it didn’t have its Bergens-Expressen toy train, which trundles along the Bryggen waterfront from opposite the Hanseatic Museum and up into some of the more interesting back streets. The trip takes one hour.
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Lennakatten
You can ride the narrow-gauge steam train Lennakatten 33km into the Uppland countryside. Schedules vary, so check online for updates. The trains depart from the Uppsala Östra museum station, in Bergsbrunnaparken, about 1km east of Uppsala Central Station.
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Le Petit Train d'Ajaccio
Le Petit Train d'Ajaccio is a tourist 'train' that makes two circuits along Ajaccio's streets: one through the old town and a longer one through the old town and on to Pointe de la Parata. Each leaves on the hour from the kiosk opposite the town hall on place Foch.
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