Railroad Forums 

  • Scenic Attractions available by RAIL ONLY

  • General discussion of passenger rail systems not otherwise covered in the specific forums in this category, including high speed rail.
General discussion of passenger rail systems not otherwise covered in the specific forums in this category, including high speed rail.

Moderators: mtuandrew, gprimr1

 #1547829  by marco
 
Greeting Fellow RailFans!

We are working on a project that highlights the scenic attractions available by RAIL ONLY, and are interested in input from the RAILROAD.NET community. Horseshoe curve comes to mind, as well as the Starucca Viaduct.

Can anyone else add to this list?

Thank You in advance!
 #1547856  by R36 Combine Coach
 
Algoma Central - Agawa Canyon

Many portions of the Canadian rockies

Hudson River on "water level route"

Skyline from Hell Gate viaduct (angle not possible elsewhere)

Moodna Valley (Salisbury Mills, NY)
 #1547882  by Westernstar1
 
Along the Rocky Mountaineer CP route, the Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Pass.

Along the Calif Zephyr route, the Moffat Tunnel.

The mooning of the Amtrak from the crowds at the Mugs Away saloon, in Laguna Niguel, from the inside of the train.

Richard
 #1547920  by marco
 
Westernstar1 wrote: Tue Jul 14, 2020 7:22 pm Along the Rocky Mountaineer CP route, the Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Pass.

Along the Calif Zephyr route, the Moffat Tunnel.

The mooning of the Amtrak from the crowds at the Mugs Away saloon, in Laguna Niguel, from the inside of the train.

Richard
Mooning the Amtrak from a bar . . .that's funny. Thanks!
 #1547937  by J.D. Lang
 
Marias Pass and Glacier Park on the Empire Builder
Glenwood Canyon and Donner Pass on the California Zepher
Raton Pass and Glorieta Pass on the Southwest Chief
 #1547941  by CHTT1
 
John Laubenheimer wrote: Tue Jul 14, 2020 2:15 pm Royal Gorge - D&RGW
Tehachapi Loop - joint SP & AT&SF
Feather River Canyon - WP
Sounds like the OP is compiling a guide for people traveling by train to see scenic attractions today. While the Royal Gorge may be seen from a tourist train, the Tehachapi Loop and the Feather River Canyon are on freight-only lines.
 #1547999  by MACTRAXX
 
Everyone: I will second CHTT and mention that the definition should be attractions that
are only accessible by way of either regularly scheduled passenger or tourist trains.

In the original post Horseshoe Curve is accessible by road from Altoona or Gallitzin, PA.
The railfan park at the Curve may either be closed or offer limited access currently with
the funicular between the parking and viewing areas closed (for maintenance?) now.

Starrucca Viaduct in Lanesboro, PA has no regular scheduled passenger or tourist train
service and is accessible by local PA state roads (92, 171) in that area (Susquehanna Co.)

I will add Tunkhannock Viaduct in Nicholson, PA (Wyoming Co.) is in this same category
with the rail route having no passenger or tourist train service. Road access is provided
by either US Route 11 or PA 92 to the area.

In comparison Moodna Viaduct in Orange County, NY has regular scheduled passenger
train service on Metro-North's Port Jervis Line (operated by NJT). The nearest station is
Salisbury Mills-Cornwall which is just west of Moodna Viaduct. There are local roads in
the area that pass under the Viaduct.

The definition should be attractions that are either only accessible by train or places
that are best seen on board a train for those having at least some road access.
MACTRAXX
 #1548006  by J.D. Lang
 
J.D. Lang wrote: Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:51 am Marias Pass and Glacier Park on the Empire Builder
Glenwood Canyon and Donner Pass on the California Zepher
Raton Pass and Glorieta Pass on the Southwest Chief
I agree that the OP was looking for scenic areas while on a train so I'll add a couple more that I think are scenic areas:
Along the Hudson river from NY to Albany on Empire Service trains
Along Lake Champlain on the Adirondack
Through the New river gorge in W. Virginia on the Cardinal
 #1548074  by marco
 
MACTRAXX wrote: Thu Jul 16, 2020 12:16 am Everyone: I will second CHTT and mention that the definition should be attractions that
are only accessible by way of either regularly scheduled passenger or tourist trains.

In the original post Horseshoe Curve is accessible by road from Altoona or Gallitzin, PA.
The railfan park at the Curve may either be closed or offer limited access currently with
the funicular between the parking and viewing areas closed (for maintenance?) now.

Starrucca Viaduct in Lanesboro, PA has no regular scheduled passenger or tourist train
service and is accessible by local PA state roads (92, 171) in that area (Susquehanna Co.)

I will add Tunkhannock Viaduct in Nicholson, PA (Wyoming Co.) is in this same category
with the rail route having no passenger or tourist train service. Road access is provided
by either US Route 11 or PA 92 to the area.

In comparison Moodna Viaduct in Orange County, NY has regular scheduled passenger
train service on Metro-North's Port Jervis Line (operated by NJT). The nearest station is
Salisbury Mills-Cornwall which is just west of Moodna Viaduct. There are local roads in
the area that pass under the Viaduct.

The definition should be attractions that are either only accessible by train or places
that are best seen on board a train for those having at least some road access.
MACTRAXX
@ Maxtraxx, Ah, it IS a good idea to narrow the choices to AVAILABLE BY PASSENGER RAIL ONLY, they would be viewed from the rail passenger vantage point. Thank You. It would also be helpful if we could gather a photograph of any of these attractions . . .

Thank You, Kindly!