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Private Notes
For more than a quarter of a century, Great Scenic Railway Journeys and its creator, Robert Van Camp, have captured the world of Tourist Railway Adventures. In this anniversary special, Robert has selected his top 12 favorite rail journeys in North America. More than just a tour, these stories capture railroads as they defined the spirit of North America, creating a new industry and re-writing the history of North America’s transportation. Hosted by Grammy-winning musician and storyteller David Holt, this program looks at our favorite profiles, telling the unforgettable stories of historic and scenic tourist railroads from across the country. A number of these profiles have been updated since their original broadcast.
Hosted by Grammy-winning musician David Holt, this travel program explores many historic and scenic tourist railroads in North America. More than just a tour, the program shows how these railroads defined the spirit of an era, creating a new industry and re-writing the history of transportation. Featured railways include Verde Canyon Railroad and Branson Scenic Railway, among others.
Viewers are introduced to the rich history and legacy that the American Steam engine has had. Steamtown National Historic site is the first stop in our epic journey. Here we will find out how a steam engine really works! This location gives visitors a unique look at every aspect of steam railroading, from its conception, development, to the ongoing efforts to keep it alive today. Next we're off to the oldest operating Tourist railway in North America, the Black Hills, known world wide as the 1880 train, this journeys transports riders through the beautiful and unspoiled Black Hills of South Dakota. During our visit we will also visit their shop to see one of their locomotive restored and last stop takes viewers to the White Mountains of New Hampshire to climb on board the Conway Scenic Railway.
The Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia set the scene introducing some of the early logging locomotives used in this region. First stop, the Cass Scenic Railway. It has the largest roster of Shay steam engines in the world. We climb on board one of these historic engines as it takes us up t o just over 4800 feet to the peak of Bald Knob. We also tour the old company town, and visit their shops as they restore more historic logging locomotives. Next we venture a few miles up the Greenbrier River from Cass to the town of Durbin to catch a ride behind the oldest Climax Steam Locomotive in operation today. Departing from the original depot this train will take you through this beautiful and unspoiled area of the state. Our last stop will take us to Durango Colorado to climb on board the Durango and Silverton narrow gauge Railroad. A ride on this historic line is like stepping back in time.
Alberta, Canada is the scene for a ride on the Alberta Prairie Railway. This railway likes to present the entertainment side of train travel as it transports you thought the beautiful hills and prairies of this region of Canada. From singers serenading you on the train, robbers harassing you from outside, and a home cooked meal at your halfway point, this journey is a one of a kind. Next we travel to the heartland of the United States to visit the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad. It has the distinction of operating the last commercially produced steam engine in the world. This historic line was once part of Iowa’s longest Electric RR. The main highlight on this journey is the crossing of these 156-foot trestles that sit above the floor of the Scenic Valley Last stop, the mountains of Utah and the Heber Valley Railroad.
Great Scenic Railway Journeys heads up to Skagway Alaska to board the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. It was originally built to feed the great gold rush of the late 1800's in the Klondike of Canada and is considered one of the greatest scenic railways of the world. Today people come from all over the world to take this historic journey. Next we head to Chattanooga, Tennessee, home to the largest collection of operating historic railroad equipment in the southeast. A visit to the Tennessee Valley Railroad museum offers visitors a chance to travel through a pre-Civil War railroad tunnel, cross high spanning bridges, and tour their back shops to see various historic railroad equipment being restored. We finish this episode of Great Scenic Railway Journeys in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country at the Strasburg Railroad. Its roots date back to 1832, and today it is the oldest operating short line railroad in North America.
Great Scenic Railway Journeys heads to the Pacific Northwest. First stop the state of Washington, where we climb on board two of this state’s most scenic and historic steam railroads. First we visit the Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad in Elbe. This line also has every kind of logging locomotive ever built. It’s nestled at the base of 14,000-foot Mt Rainier. Here passengers get an up close and personal look at this geological giant as they pass through the deep forests and farmland of this region. Next we head off the mountain and down to the fertile coastal farmlands where the Chehalis and Centralia Railroad operates. The steam engine on this line once stood in the town park for over 30 years on static display until the railway brought it out of retirement and put it back on the track. We also meet one of the few Fire Women in the industry today and learn what it takes for her to get this nearly 100 year-old steam engine ready for service.
Great Scenic Railway Journeys stops off in the states of Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Our first stop takes us to the remote town of Ely, Nevada, which is home to the Nevada Northern Railway. Here we tour their historic grounds and buildings along with taking a ride up to the cooper mines that this railway once served. Next, we venture to one of the United States’ most treasured national parks, the Grand Canyon. And the best way to get to the park is by taking a trip on the Grand Canyon Railway. This trip is loaded with not only great scenery but entertainment as well. We also get to experience what’s called a double header, where two steam engines are used back to back. Last stop is Chama, New Mexico. Here we climb on board one of the most scenic and historic steam railways left in North America, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. This line climbs just over 10,000 feet and takes you through the ever-changing topography of the San Juan Mountains.
This episode takes an in-depth look at the famed Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado.
This episode takes an in-depth look at The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in North Carolina.
This episode features an in-depth look at The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad in Iowa.
An in-depth look at The Texas State Railroad.
Journey to New Zealand were we profile the best rail journeys that country has to offer. On the north island just south of Auckland, take a trip back in time on one of New Zealand's premier heritage trains, the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. From there we venture to the North East coastal town of Coromandel and one of the most unique railways in the world.
Continuing to profile the best rail journeys that New Zealand has to offer. The Overlander takes you through the North Island while The Trans Coastal winds down the eastern coast of the south; and the Trans Alpine rides across the Southern Alps. And experience the rugged terrain of the south island with the Taieri George railway. Part 2
More of the best rail journeys in New Zealand. The Kingston flyer is built for speed, with a fascinating history of what brought this railway to this inland point and why it's locked in time. See two locomotives that are the only of their kind still in operation. And board the steam ship TSS Earnslaw to learn more about the rail's integral role in the rugged area around Queenstown.
