Scenic Attractions available by RAIL ONLY

Rockingham Racer wrote: ↑Fri Jul 17, 2020 3:17 am A couple of routes on the Alaska Railroad come to mind.

Pretty much all of the White Pass & Yukon too, at least the in-service portions.

Add the entire Cumbres & Toltec to the list too - not sure about the Durango & Silverton.

Definitely the Copper Canyon in Mexico.

I totally concur with Mr. Trainguy regarding Baranca del Cobre. Been there during '75; it is specular, and no highway goes near it. To my knowledge, there is a "landing strip" that can handle a small aircraft the size of a Cessna 402 (of Cape Air varietal, Mr. Trainguy and that I once flew BOS-ACK), or if it still runs, the "Chepe" over the Chihuahua Pacific.

Although, I've never ridden it, no highway is near the Silverton. They have gates, I understand, that block the ROW, including an access road.

bostontrainguy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 18, 2020 6:33 pm Definitely the Copper Canyon in Mexico.

And for those who may be uninformed about the Copper Canyon, watch this short video of the most unique spectacular way to see it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VR6JQI8VCQ

Of course you can't do this anymore

The mooning of the California Zephyr from rafters on the headwaters of the Colorado River.

John_Perkowski wrote: ↑Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:52 pm The mooning of the California Zephyr from rafters on the headwaters of the Colorado River.

Not my idea of "scenic"!! Although I've experienced it.

J.D. Lang wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:51 am Marias Pass and Glacier Park on the Empire Builder

My car driving on U.S. 2 and Going-to-the-Sun Road, along with thousands of other cars and visitors that didn't come in on Amtrak, disagree.

Also, Glacier Park International Airport hauls more people in and out with just one flight, than Whitefish, Belton, Essex and East Glacier do in several days.

Depending on how far afield you wish to go with this may I suggest the Jungfraujoch Railway in Switzerland. I rode it back in 1975 during my 30 day "If this is the SBB this must be Switzerland" tour of Europe. If you're ever in Switzerland I strongly suggest taking this trip all the way to the top.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungfrau_Railway

Definitely the Durango and Silverton Rwy. You can't see 95% of that from a road, and getting there on foot might be even more difficult.

Bald Knob Mountain, WV

(Via Cass Scenic RR)

The fresh water marshes west of Worcester Ma on the LSL are beautiful.
Connecticut River vistas on Vermonter too.

By rail only!
Almost every scenic view listed so far can be viewed on any vehicle by road. For example, the White Pass & Yukon RR is paralleled by the Klondike Highway. Usually the best thing to view from the highway is the train. Another example is the train ride through Royal George, which can be viewed from 1,000 feet above from the bridge. Same view, just from a different level.

electricron wrote: ↑Fri Aug 07, 2020 10:19 am Another example is the train ride through Royal George, which can be viewed from 1,000 feet above from the bridge. Same view, just from a different level.

Same view? Seriously? Think a little more about that one