A new high-speed train route connecting the city of Shanghai, on China’s eastern coast, to the city of Kunming, in China’s most southwesterly Yunnan Province, began operating in January 2017. The train travels up to 205 miles per hour along the 1,400-mile route, making the trip in roughly 11 hours. Previously, trains took 34 hours to make the one-way journey.
Rail fans can take an afternoon trip aboard the authentic, refurbished Belmond British Pullman steam train, with carriages dating back as far as 1925.
Leaving from London’s Victoria Cross station, the Belmond travels round trip through southeastern England’s Surrey Hills. During the 4-hour trip, guests will enjoy a 5-course luxury lunch, served on bespoke tableware, including wine and petits fours.
Addressing ITN subscribers, we previously printed the following information request from Jack and Elizabeth Kaufman of Lake Quivira, Kansas: “We would be interested in travelers’ suggestions for scenic or unusual railroad trips.
Between the North Holland towns of Hoorn and Medemblik, visitors can ride a historic, coal-fired steam train built in 1914, the Museum Stoomtram (Van Dedemstraat 8, 1624 NN, Hoorn, Netherlands; www.stoomtram.nl/en).
The Stoomtram is seasonal, running April through November, with days of operation depending on the month. When operating, it leaves Hoorn at 10:40 a.m., arrives in Medemblik at noon, departs at 1:20 p.m. and returns to Hoorn at 2:40.
Narrow-gauge and offbeat railways
Addressing ITN subscribers, we previously printed this information request from Jack and Elizabeth Kaufman of Lake Quivira, Kansas: “We would be interested in travelers’ suggestions for scenic or unusual railroad trips.
The Japan Rail Pass, available to foreign visitors only and previously available only outside of Japan from licensed sellers, can — between March 8, 2017, and March 31, 2018 — temporarily be purchased on site at many rail stations and airports in Japan.
15-day, 14-night train tour; departures Sept. 6, Oct. 18, Nov. 15, 2017. Highlights: In Delhi, city tours/narrow-gauge train to Shimla for city tour/board Palace on Wheels hotel train in Delhi for visits to Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park (home to tigers), walled desert town of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur/rickshaw ride to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary/in Agra, Taj Majal. From $4,495 ppdo; from $6,175, single. Great Rail Journeys (Saviour House, 9 St. Saviourgate, York, England YO1 8NL, U.K.; in US, 866/834-8382, www.greatrail.com).
A passenger train derailed while pulling out of a station in the city of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh on Dec. 28, injuring at least 61 people, two critically. It was the second derailment to occur around Kanpur in a little over a month. A train derailment outside the city on Nov. 20 killed 146 people. No cause for the Dec. 28 incident was reported as of press time.
The white stone of the Triple Bridge shimmered in the evening lights. In the background, the pink façade of the Franciscan church off Prešernov trg provided a beautiful color contrast. What an impressive sight on the first evening of my May 2016 adventure in “Titoland”!
