Enjoy one of America's Most Beautiful Train Rides. You will cross high trestles and swoop through tunnels. You'll also see parts of the country that are only accessible by rail. The data was compiled from Amtrak Vacations By Rail, America By Rail, and we ranked the routes according to their popularity and overall experience. These are the top ten:
- Coast Starlight by Amtrak
This beautiful West Coast train ride attracts travelers from all over the globe. Coast Starlight, Amtrak's most loved long-distance route, is widely regarded as being the most beautiful. It was home to more than 455,000 passengers in 2017. The Coast Starlight takes you through lush forests, waterfalls, snowy Cascade Mountains, and the Puget Sound.
- Amtrak's Empire Builder
The Empire Builder allows you to trace portions of the Lewis & Clark Trail, from America's heartland up to the Pacific Northwest. The Empire Builder will take you across the Mississippi River to Montana's Big Sky Country and Glacier National Park. From Spokane.
- Amtrak's California Zephyr
The California Zephyr's windows will show you the same sights that charmed 19th-century fortune hunters as they rode the first transcontinental railroad west to San Francisco. This historic route takes you through the Gold Rush country's mining, ghost towns, and old stagecoach stops that were later made into stops on the original railroad.
- Amtrak's Southwest Chief
These rails were once home to the nation's first all Pullman sleeping car train. It was nicknamed the "Train of the Stars" by the celebrities who frequented it in the 1930s. The Southwest Chief continues the same route between Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. You can book a sleeping car to enjoy the twists and turns that take you to the iconic American sights of the Santa Fe Trail,
- Grand Canyon Railway
This rail line allows you to travel to Grand Canyon National Park in the same way that visitors arrived in 1901, when the railway was opened. It helps you visualize how remote and inaccessible the canyon used to be. You can still ride on the Grand Canyon Railway's historic cars, pulled by the "French Fry Express", a 1923 locomotive converted to run on recycled vegetable oil from South Rim restaurants.
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
This historic narrow-gauge railroad is nearly two feet closer than standard rail lines. It was built during the silver mining boom to hold onto sharper curves, and to clear tighter spaces on mountain sides. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along the Animas River is a thrilling ride.
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Cumbres & Toltec is America's longest steam railroad (64 miles), and the tallest (10,015 foot) steam railway. It originally served the silver mining district of southwest Colorado. This scenic railway transports only passengers. It climbs a steep 4% grade through the San Juan Mountains, and reaches narrow gorge ledges that offer views of 800 feet down.
- Alaska Railroad's Coastal Route:
Mid-May through mid-September are Alaska's best days. The plants are in full bloom, the wildlife is active, and the Coastal Classic provides daily departures. Beluga whales can be seen in the inlet. Further along the journey, you will see Dall sheep on the cliffsides, bears, and moose in backcountry wilderness. Conductor stops the train to take photos of wildlife and glaciers.
- Amtrak's Adirondack
Amtrak's Adirondack takes you from New York City to Montreal in the evening. It will take you through charming villages and the Hudson River Valley. Autumn is a beautiful time to travel. You'll see deep woods and vibrant vineyards. Between New York City, Albany, and Montreal, well-maintained mansions line both banks of the Hudson River.
- Cass Scenic Railroad
Steam-driven Shay locomotives are still running in the mountains of West Virginia on the same route that was used in 1901 to transport lumber from Cass to Cass. Since then, the old logging flat cars were refurbished to transport passengers. The Whittaker Station recreated 1940s log camp is your first stop. Here you can wander around and grab a snack.
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