Railway vacations travel guide

Railways are like living museums. They weren’t built for tourists originally, but for transporting food, workers or minerals. The minute you start to think about why a railway was built, and how many people have made this journey since its construction, you start to see the landscape in a completely different way. There are layers and layers of history behind those mountains and lakes that you are whizzing past. And so many stories. Which is why we all love to people watch on trains. Where is that man going to, as he steps off the train in a remote station in Scotland’s Highlands? Why is the old woman crying as she hands the young man a hamper of food before he steps onto at train at Halong Bay, Vietnam? The joys of railway vacations is that you also get to step off the train and spend quality time in the places you have travelled through. It’s like getting to walk onto the set of the film you have just been watching.

There are train geeks, and there are rail gurus. They are two very different things. Geeks go train spotting and talk a lot about gauges and junctions. Rail gurus, however, are those who capture the awakening that many of us have when vacationing by rail, in words, images and in film. We feel that our railways vacation guide needed to include some of the gurus and the greats, who make you feel like you are rocking along in that carriage with them.

Michael Portillo’s Great Continental Railway Journeys, available on DVD, has helped re-establish rail as a strong tourism option in many countries.

The Trans-Siberian Handbook by Bryn Thomas is the definitive guide, with maps, photos, commentary, the works. And you’ll have plenty of time for reading on this one, so you might want to immerse yourself In Siberia by Colin Thubron as well – a brilliant description of months spent traveling across Siberia not only by train, but also by bus, hitchhiking and a battered car. Makes for grim reading in parts, but will make you happy you opted for the Trans-Mongolian leg of the famous train journey.

The Man in Seat 61, Mark Smith’s books of rail travel in Europe and worldwide are Bibles for train lovers. He has been everywhere, seen everything, knows every gauge, connection and quirky detail. And loves the seat number 61, when possible.

Iron Road to the Isles: A Travelers and Tourist Guide to the West Highland Lines by Michael Pearson – Published in collaboration with Scottish railway companies to celebrate the centenary of Mallaig Extension, it’s like having the most informed, and amusing travel companion sitting beside you along the way.

The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia, published in 1973, is Paul Theroux’ famous travelogue about a four month train journey through Europe, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, and his return via the Trans-Siberian Railway. Even better, he retraced his journey in 2006 in Ghost Train to the Eastern Star.

The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit, the timeless classic, published in 1906, with the all time favourite film released in 1970.

Mark Smith, Man in Seat 61:

"Don't forget that on almost all Trans-Siberian trains, unlimited boiling water is available free of charge from the samovar at the end of each coach, so remember to bring a mug, spoon, coffee and a selection of cuppa soups. You can save money on restaurant car meals by bringing dried pasta or noodles, for example. My personal favourite is water-based drinking chocolate for a relaxing night-time drink each evening."