Train activities in Europe
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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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Funivia Trento-Sardagna
A scenic cable-car ride from Trento on the Funivia Trento-Sardagna brings you to Sardagna.
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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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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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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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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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Hungerburgbahn
The brand-new Hungerburgbahn is great news for powder freaks. Designed by Zaha Hadid of Bergisel fame, the sleek cable railway looks like something out of a sci-fi film and links the Congress Centre to Hafelekar (2300m) in just 25 minutes.
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Cliff Railway
Victorian tourists enjoyed a stately ride to the summit of Constitution Hill from 1896 onwards, and you can too, on the trundling little Cliff Railway, the UK's longest electric funicular and possibly the slowest too at a G-force-busting 4mph.
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Too-To-Train
Operating out of a converted train carriage outside the Circumvesuviana train station, Too-To-Train offers an extensive range of tours, including trips to Vesuvius (around €20), Pompeii (around €23) and the Amalfi Coast.
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Miniature Train
Occupying the former royal hunting grounds, is the aptly named Grosser Garten (Large Garden), an enchanting refuge during the warmer months. From April to October, a fun way to get around Grosser Garten is aboard a miniature train.
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Electric Tourist Train
Chug around the old town and Parc du Château in 40 minutes aboard an electric tourist train, departing every 30 minutes (except when it rains) across the street from Jardin Albert 1er on promenade des Anglais.
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tourist train
The lazy or infirm can jump aboard the tourist train for the 45-minute twirl around Lake Bled. It departs from in front of the Sport Hall (Športna Dvorana; Ljubljanska cesta 5) up to 20 times a day in season.
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Le Petit Train
Le Petit Train sets off opposite Hôtel Majestic Barrière and chugs along La Croisette and rue d'Antibes or up to Le Suquet Visiting both destinations costs around €9/€6.
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Old Timer Train
The Old Timer Train passes through Bohinjska Bistrica on its way to and from Jesenice and Most na Soči several times in summer. Ask the tourist office for its current schedule.
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Funicular Railway
Not only can you enjoy old-world transport, but this is the best option for travelling to Monte Igueldo, where you can expect glorious veiws. Get off at the Parque de Atracciones.
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Kew Explorer Minitrain
The Kew Explorer minitrain covers the Kew Gardens in 40 minutes, although any visit to the Gardens needs at least half a day, especially when you include travel time.
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Steam engine train ride
Steam engine train. Great for the kids during summer. Located north of the centre. Take bus 89 from outside the East Slovak Museum.
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