The weekly email from Travel and Leisure (T&L) often contains tidbits that make for interesting stories here on 2nd Green Revolution. Last year their stories about the most bike friendly cities in the world, as well as a discount being offered in Santa Barbara, California for those taking the train led to posts on this site. Many of the specials they promote and lists they compile have a “green” tint without being overtly eco-conscious.

This week’s email contained a link to their story about the “Most Scenic Train Rides” (click through to the rest of this post to see Top 10)  in the world. The story’s lead-in mentioned Seat 61, a website with information about train and ferry travel throughout the world. As interest in trains and railways as a mode of transportation has increased, visitors to the site have increased eight times according to T&L. Founder Mark Smith offers some calculations (seen in the table below) on his site comparing the carbon emissions of air and train travel.

T&L’s article contains 10 routes on their scenic train rides list.

Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, India
Semmering Railway, Austria
West Highland Line, United Kingdom
El ChePe, Mexico
Douro Line, Portugal
The Ghan, Australia
Bergen Railway, Norway
Hiram Bingham Orient-Express, Peru
Bernina Express, Switzerland and Italy

In addition to the reduced carbon emissions, these routes offer some of the most stunning vistas in the world. Many of the locations covered by these trains cannot be accessed by other means. For the nature lover, train enthusiast, or those seeking a new way to see the world, check out some of these train trips.

- Eric Wilson
[image source: T&L]