15 Breathtaking Journeys You Can Only Take by Train

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Who needs seatbelts when your train hugs cliffs or slides past surfers like it owns the coastline? These routes don’t just connect cities—they mess with your sense of calm. Bring snacks, a camera, and maybe a little bravery. You’ll need all three.

California Zephyr

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Since 1949, the Zephyr has powered across seven states, shifting from sweeping cornfields to jaw-dropping canyons. Glenwood Canyon is the showstopper—sheer rock walls so close they nearly scrape the glass. The journey stretches over 2,400 miles, so settle in comfortably.

Coast Starlight

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Running from Seattle to Los Angeles, this route blends redwoods and coastline, delivering a front-row seat to the Pacific’s shifting moods. It passes snow-capped peaks, redwood groves, and miles of ocean-hugging track. The highlight hits near San Luis Obispo, where the sea meets the sky, and silence feels earned. 

Empire Builder

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The Empire Builder has offered a striking sense of isolation since 1929. Glacier National Park marks the high point, where jagged peaks and sweeping snowfields fill every window view. Montana’s quiet runs deep, and the stillness of the landscape leaves a lasting impression.

Grand Canyon Railway

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Departing from Williams, Arizona, this restored 1901 train climbs 64 miles through pine forests, high desert, and wide plateaus before arriving at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Elevation climbs steadily to over 7,000 feet, where the landscape opens into one of Earth’s greatest natural chasms.

Cumbres And Toltec

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Built for miners. Ridden by thrill-seekers. This narrow-gauge legend rips up 10,000-foot elevations between Colorado and New Mexico. The drop-offs have no guardrails, and the bridges are questionable. The vibe? Wild West fever dream meets coal-grinding vertigo. Hold your breath because this 1880 beast still means business.

Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic

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The Coastal Classic from Anchorage to Seward delivers pure escapism. Operating from May to September, this train runs between Anchorage and Seward along Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Wildlife often appears along the way, so expect to see moose and possibly bears. However, plan your visit for the summer months, as the route is impassable during winter.

Amtrak Cascades

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The Cascades train runs from Eugene to Vancouver with clear views of Puget Sound and the surrounding evergreen landscape, framed by the distant rise of Mount Rainier. The lightweight Talgo cars lean into curves for a smoother ride. And with minimal tunnels, you rarely lose sight of the Northwest’s sweeping terrains.

Adirondack Route

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Leaf-peepers unite. This New York to Montreal line, launched in 1974, is especially stunning in October when fall colors reach their peak. The route hugs the Hudson River, skirts Lake Champlain, and winds through forested valleys and charming small towns. It’s one of Amtrak’s most scenic seasonal rides.

Southwest Chief

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Saguaro silhouettes and red rock flashes mean you’ve crossed into Southwest Chief territory. Running since 1974, the Chicago to L.A. line slices through deserts and mesas like it’s starring in a spaghetti western. Watch for canyon drop-offs and meteor craters that appear so suddenly that the entire scene feels like a living postcard. 

White Pass And Yukon Route

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This route, out of Skagway, Alaska, climbs nearly 3,000 feet in 20 miles and traces the path once taken by Klondike gold rush prospectors. Built in 1898, it wraps around cliffs and crosses wooden trestles with steep drops. Plus, the narrow track and sharp turns keep riders on edge.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

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The world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway began its steep ascent in 1869. Trains climb Mount Washington on tracks that reach a staggering 37 percent grade, steeper than any other in North America. The weather at the summit is famously harsh, often blanketed in thick fog and wind.

Durango And Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

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Running since 1882, this historic steam train follows the Animas River Gorge through Colorado’s remote San Juan Mountains. The route features sheer cliffside tracks, sharp curves, and deep drop-offs with no guardrails. It’s one of the few surviving railroads offering authentic mountain railroading at full intensity.

Pacific Surfliner

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This isn’t your average beachside cruise. Its steel wheels skate alongside surfer coves and military bases from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. So, it’s not uncommon to catch sight of dolphins or jet flyovers, with the ocean casting back your reflection as Malibu slides by.

Cass Scenic Railroad

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Shay-powered and steeped in logging history, the train climbs Cheat Mountain on tracks originally laid for timber hauls. With switchbacks, steep grades, and open-sided cars, the ride delivers a raw, physical experience. Operating with engines from the early 1900s, it also offers one of the steepest standard-gauge rail climbs in the eastern United States.

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

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Fall? Gorgeous. Spring? Underrated. But the tight canyon curves and old coal-town grit are what sell this Jim Thorpe route. Built on former Lehigh Valley rail lines, it features river rapids on one side and rock walls on the other. Although the route is short, the scenery leaves a lasting impression.  

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