Best North American Rail Journeys

• Canada • United States of America •

Canada

The Canadian

This iconic cross-country journey is the longest in North America, allowing you to experience the majestic sights and pure beauty Canada has to offer. The Canadian travels through tree distinct geographical sectors - the famous Great Canadian Shield from Toronto to Winnipeg, rolling prairies from Winnipeg to Jasper, and the spectacular Rockies from Jasper to Vancouver. Each of these sectors has its own scenic and historical interest.

Ocean

Running between Montreal (Quebec) and Halifax (Nova Scotia), this is the oldest continuously operated rail service in North America. When combined with The Canadian, Ocean provides a total trans-continental crossing of Canada. The route runs through eastern Canada including the Island of Montreal, and rural communities on the lower St Lawrence south shore. The train pulls several sleeping carriages, a dining car and a lounge/observation carriage.

Rupert Rocket

This journey provides some of the most incredible mountain scenery, deep canyons, sawmill settlements, remote salmon hatcheries, and picturesque travel beside the Skeena River. The train even slows down at the spectacular Mt Robson, and whenever wildlife such as deer, bears, elk, moose or eagles are sighted. There’s a panoramic dome car with floor to ceiling windows, and a popular lounge park car. To maximise daylight viewing, the train only travels during daylight hours.

Rocky Mountaineer

One of the world’s great scenic journeys, through Canada’s wild and wonderful Rockies, a spectacular 2-day journey via stunning National Parks (Glacier, Yoho, Jasper, Banff), with a pause at Kamloops where guests disembark for a night in a hotel. Grizzly bears, elk, deer, bighorn sheep and bald eagles may be spotted from the panoramic dome windows of the upper-floor of the bi-level carriages, while dining on world-class cuisine.

Royal Canadian Pacific

Accommodating just 28 guests and now offering public departures after a five-year hiatus, this train is as regal as they come - Royal designation from the Queen herself! The Queen and Prince Phillip, Winston Churchill, King George VI, John and Jacqueline Kennedy are among previous guests. There’s outstanding scenery, exclusive visits and elegant musical events with 5-star service and dining. If you want one of the most intimate and elegant trains in the world, this is it!

United States of America

California Zephyr

One of the most beautiful rail journeys in all of North America, this journey travels through tunnels, canyons and deserts, crosses the Continental Divide, experiences the raging Upper Colorado River, the vivid colours of Utah’s deserts, and vast prairie grain fields. The major stops are made at Sacramento, Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Omaha.

Coast Starlight

Running along the Pacific west coast, there are excellent views of both the Pacific coastline and the Cascade Mountains. Major stops are at Santa Barbara, San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento, and Portland. Travelling through the forests and scenic beauty of Pacific Northwest USA and the Cascade Mountains, is a real joy.

Empire Builder

This journey is Amtrak’s busiest long-distance route, and was the first to be outfitted with superliner carriages. It showcases the forests of the Pacific Northwest, Glacier National Park, the Rocky Mountains, Midwestern prairies, and some bustling cities. The schedule is arranged for a daytime passage through the scenic Rockies and Glacier National Park.

Southwest Chief

This epic journey provides an ‘Old West’ look at the US, where canyons, ranches, deserts and mountains create a spectacular backdrop and accesses particular areas of the Southwest and Midwest not easily seen by road. Unique among the long-distance superliner trains, the Southwest Chief is allowed to travel at up to 145 km/h along significant portions of the route.

Sunset Limited

First introduced in 1894, the Sunset Limited is the oldest name in US rail. Stunning mountain, desert and lake views characterise this rail journey across the country from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico. Major stops are at Maricopa, Tucson, El Paso, San Antonio, and Houston. The longest rail bridge in the US is used to cross the Mississippi River just west of New Orleans.

City of New Orleans

This City of New Orleans rail journey travels from New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico, to Chicago and the Great Lakes, with major stops in Jackson and Memphis - linking several of America’s greatest music cities. The journey travels along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, crossing the Louisiana waterways and famous swamps of the bayou, to Jackson (of Gospel music, blues, R&B fame).

Crescent

On this route through 12 states from the ‘Big Apple’ to the ‘Big Easy’, there is plenty of big city life along the way, plus southern charm, college and mountain towns. It’s a unique window into the popular heritage beauty of the American South.

Silver Meteor

Silver Meteor is a quite historic rail service, first established in 1939. It’s a journey from the exciting world-renowned city-scapes of the northeast, through Deep South civil war history, to the resorts, family attractions and sugar-white sand beaches of Florida.

Texas Eagle

Departing from Los Angeles, the Texas Eagle major stops are at Palm Springs, Tucson, El Paso, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth (with rail connection to Oklahoma City), Dallas, Little Rock, and St Louis. For approximately half of the route, the Texas Eagle runs in conjunction with the Sunset Limited.