Scotland’s Far North Line rolls through the highlands past one of the country’s Unesco heritage sites (Credit: Alamy)
Two hundred years after the first passenger train rolled down the tracks, the romance of train travel is still going strong.
On 27 September 1825, curious crowds gathered in the English market town of Darlington to witness a marvel: the world’s first public passenger train. That historic steam engine trundled 40km to Stockton, forever changing the way people travelled.
Today, trains crisscross the globe, from nostalgic vintage rides to high-speed marvels. They remain one of the most sustainable ways to travel, and for many, one of the most magical. To celebrate the railway’s bicentennial, here are nine of the most unforgettable train journeys that continue to inspire awe.
1. Spain’s Scenic “Bandit Country” Line
Known as Mr Henderson’s Railway, this 135-year-old Victorian route winds through Andalusia’s rugged countryside. Once notorious for bandits, the tracks now reveal dramatic landscapes like the 100m-high Cañón de las Buitreras.
2. India’s 58-Tunnel Ride through the Eastern Ghats
The Visakhapatnam–Kirandul Passenger Special is a slow, four-hour journey through misty mountains, oak forests, and 58 tunnels. It ends in Araku, a hill town famous for its coffee plantations.
3. The Baltic Express, Central Europe’s New Hop-On Hop-Off Train
Launched recently, the Baltic Express links Prague to the Polish coast at Gdynia. Along the way, travellers can hop off to explore gems like Pardubice with its pastel townhouses, or Poznan with its storybook square.
4. Japan’s Legendary Bullet Train
Japan’s Shinkansen, the world’s first high-speed rail line, turned 60 in 2024. Famous for speeds up to 321kph and impeccable punctuality, the newest “New Golden Route” now connects Tokyo to Tsuruga.
5. Mexico’s Tequila Express
This cultural ride through Jalisco’s agave fields is as spirited as its name. Starting in Guadalajara, the train heads to the town of Tequila, where visitors learn about the origins of Mexico’s beloved drink.
6. Portugal’s Vouga Historical Train
The last surviving narrow-gauge railway in Portugal offers a nostalgic ride on 1960s wooden carriages. Folk music and colourful towns like Águeda bring added charm to this summer-only journey.
7. Isle of Man’s Electric Mountain Railway
Opened in 1893, the Snaefell Mountain Railway climbs high above the Irish Sea. The British Isles’ only electric mountain railway still retains its Victorian character, from wooden interiors to mirrored panels.
8. Scotland’s Remote Far North Line
From Inverness to Thurso, this four-hour adventure showcases the Highlands’ rugged beauty. It crosses The Flow Country, the world’s largest intact peatland system and a Unesco World Heritage Site.
9. USA’s Newly Restored Mardi Gras Service
Two decades after Hurricane Katrina, Amtrak’s Gulf Coast line has been reborn. The route meanders through wetlands, beaches, and lively southern towns, linking Mobile and New Orleans in festive style.
The Enduring Magic of Trains
From the windswept Highlands to Japan’s futuristic rails, these journeys prove that trains are more than just transport—they’re experiences that blend history, culture, and landscape into unforgettable adventures.