Through Dec. 31, 2010, people 66 years of age or older from any country can ride Irish Rail-operated trains in Ireland (but not Northern Ireland) for free with the “Golden Trekker” pass. Each pass is good for four days, and visitors may apply for up to three passes each (all at once, if desired).
Maoist rebels have been blamed for the sabotage of railroad tracks that resulted in the derailment of a high-speed passenger train near Sardiha, West Bengal state, India, on May 28. Heading from Kolkata to Mumbai, the train derailed and collided with a freight train, killing 147 people and injuring 150.
After floods and landslides wiped out access to Machu Picchu in January-February, repairs allowed Peru Rail to begin limited train service on April 1. It was expected that by May, repairs would support heavier locomotives and full trains.
Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, strictly limited, can be purchased only in Cusco. Visitors travel from Cusco by bus or car (about three hours) or from Ollantaytambo to the Piscacucho station and board the train there. Rail repairs between Cusco and Piscacucho may not be completed until June.
The 126-year run of the Orient Express* ended on Dec. 13, 2009.
When the service was inaugurated in 1883 by entrepreneur Georges Nagelmacher, it ran twice a week from Paris to Varna, Bulgaria, where a ferry took passengers on to Istanbul. Later, the rail line was extended to Istanbul.
On Nov. 27, the Nevsky Express, a luxury train running between Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, was derailed by the explosion of a 15-pound bomb made of TNT. At least 26 people died and about 100 were injured, including six foreigners. The train is popular with businessmen, government personnel and tourists.
A smaller, second bomb targeting investigators of the wreck was detonated the next day, injuring one person.
15-day/14-night rail tour, April 15-29, 2011. Highlights: Lake steamer to Mainau Gardens at Lake Constance, GERMANY/in SWITZERLAND, Bernina Express scenic train/Davos/optional day cruise on Lake Maggiore, ITALY ($80)/Glacier Express to Matterhorn, Zermatt/Lake Geneva. Land price, $3,299 plus 15-day Swiss Pass. Single supp., $100.
Rail Travel Adventures (Battleboro, VT; 800/639-3706).
Nine-day/eight-night tour of INDIA. Highlights: City tour of Mumbai/boat excursion to Elephant Island/Ellora Caves/tigers, crocodiles, birds in Tadoba Wildlife Sanctuary/Buddhist paintings, sculpture in Ajanta Caves. Land, from $3,082 (single), $2,353 (double) or $1,853 (triple).
Exotic Journeys (Chicago, IL; 800/554-6342).
12 days/11 nights, Aug. 8-19, 2010. Highlights: FLAM and Viking Ships Museum, Oslo/day cruise to Sognefjord/Flam Railway through mountains/fjord tour on M/S White Lady/Andalsnes and Dovre railways to Trondheim/WWII air museum in Bodø. Land, $3,299. Single supp., $500.
Rail Travel Center (Putney, VT; 800/458-5394).
13-day/12-night tour includes hotel stays and four nights aboard the Canadian; Oct. 4-16, 2012. Highlights: From Toronto, cross Canadian Prairie/ascend the Rocky Mountains to Jasper/Maligne Lake, Spirit Island/ride a “Sno-Coach” on the Columbia Icefields/Banff Hot Springs/gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain/Yoho National Park/Vancouver. Land, Pullman berth, $4,695. Roomette, $4,995. Single accommodations, $6,995.
Uncommon Journeys (Oakland, CA; 800/323-5893).
