New Mexico’s Sky Railway debuts with stargazing and more
When the Santa Fe Southern Railway shut down in 2012, it was one year after novelist and screenwriter George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones premiered on HBO. Eight years later, the famous Santa Fe resident found himself involved in reviving the historic rail line. Once he joined with other local entrepreneurs to reimagine and revive the 141-year-old, 18-mile rail spur between Santa Fe and Lamy, it was clear this would be no ordinary train. The project has finally come to fruition, with stargazing a highlight among the Sky Railway’s attractions. [travelandleisure.com] [travelandleisure.com]
Why does Italy have a ‘Trans-Siberian’ railway?
When Italy’s Sulmona-Carpinone train opened for service in 1897, it was hailed as an engineering masterpiece for its ability to navigate steep slopes across the Abruzzo region. The 73-mile route remains the second highest in the country—it climbs up to 4,160 feet in the Maiella mountains and traverses areas still without roads today. In 1980, journalist and writer Luciano Zeppegno was so impressed by the mountain scenes along the route, he referred to the line in an article as “the little Trans-Siberian.” Even though the train operated nowhere near Siberia, the name stuck. [nationalgeographic.com]
Europe’s most scenic train ride takes you from peaks to palms
Frequently named Europe’s most scenic train ride, the Bernina Express is a romantic throwback to the golden age of European rail travel, when the journey was the destination. In just four hours, it takes you from the town of Chur, through the tight valleys of Switzerland’s Graubünden canton, past glaciers and over the highest railway pass in Europe, into the Italian town of Tirano, where in summer you can even find palm trees. [hedailybeast.com]
Glimpse bald eagles on a scenic train ride through West Virginia
“Two eagles sitting in a tree!” exclaims Jean Shoemaker, our 80-year-old spotter. Everyone aboard the train swings to the windows to peer at a pair of bald eagles looking out over the South Branch of the Potomac River. My wife, Rebecca, and I have driven out to Romney, West Virginia, in July to board the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad. Though the bird sightings aren’t guaranteed, we’ve lucked out with multiple eagle appearances. [bethesdamagazine.com]
Australian steam locomotive makes first run in 60 years
Steam locomotive 106: The Pride of Toowoomba, rolled off the assembly line at the Toowoomba Foundry about the same time Australians were signing up for World War I. Now, a group of passionate rail enthusiasts at Toowoomba’s Downs Steam Tourist Railway, have achieved their dream to ensure another piece of history would never be forgotten. As the 106-year-old steam locomotive rolled under its own power for the first time in almost 60 years, it marked the culmination of a 20-year restoration project that was originally expected to take five. [abc.net.au]
