America and its railroads always have had a special relationship. Railroad lines connected our coastlines and brought us closer together; cities grew around major intersections of railways (hello, Atlanta), and some towns
were developed to serve the railroad. Although today's popular summertime all-inclusive excursion is undoubtedly a cruise to the tropics, the all-American summertime trip is aboard one of its historic trains and rail lines.
Beautiful vistas are a
defining feature of the American West. Mountaintops and rugged canyons are beautifully juxtaposed with rich forests in Colorado, and one of the best ways to experience this is a trip on the
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This train has been in continuous operation since 1882, when it began hauling precious metals and the occasional passengers. Today it continues to take passengers between the two towns on its more than 100-year-old route along the Animas River, traveling through the San Juan National Forest. Canyon views are set against a backdrop of snow-topped mountains, and the trip is dotted with old mining camps and stagecoach routes.
Adventure-seekers have long headed to Alaska for the ultimate experience, and those who take a trip on the
White Pass & Yukon Route will find nothing less. This trip takes visitors from Skagway, Alaska, to Carcross, Yukon, and the ride itself is perfect for thrill junkies. The train climbs about 3,000 feet during the course of 20 miles to reach the summit of theWhite Pass, an elevation of 2,865 feet. With grades at 3.9 percent and turns of 16 degrees, the excitement inherent to the route could compete with a roller coaster. Along the way passengers will see clear-blue (and icy) rivers nestled between high mountain peaks and travel over bridges between rolling hills of evergreen forests. Respite is found at a restored 1903 station at Lake Bennett, where passengers enjoy a two-hour layover and hot meal.
In many ways, the Ozarks in northern Arkansas could be considered undiscovered country. The wealthy have yet to discover, well, the wealth of crisp, clean rivers and lakes that dot these old, tree-covered mountains rife with endangered wildlife. Stays are cheap without sacrificing adventure and beauty. To get a slice of the experience, check out the
Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, which takes passengers from the Boston Mountains (they’re part of the southwestern Ozark Plateau) to the Arkansas River basin. For a quick bite of an Ozarks adventure, take a trip on the
Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway, which travels just 4.5 miles through the Ozarks.
Even in a big town, there’s an opportunity to hop aboard history. Take Grapevine, Texas, where its vintage steam locomotive (shown) takes visitors to Fort Worth and back, or if you’re in Fort Worth, take the Trinity River Run to Grapevine and back. (For more on Grapevine’s trains, click
here.)