The Great Railway Adventure

I love to travel by train. Even hours and hours is fine by me. Train travel beats air travel and its many indignities. Four hours in a plane makes me want to slit my wrists whereas four hours in a train is just a good start.

The Bernina Express on the famous Brusio spiral viaduct.

To my husband, trains are a religion. Not only does he enjoy riding in them, he can watch them for hours. He delights in rolling stock of all types, and thrills at seeing railroad workers address their tasks. How many thousands of photos he has taken! He also is fascinated by all types of transportation from pedicabs to delivery vehicles. There’s not an Ape 50

Action shot.

that escapes his camera’s eye.

When I suggested London for Christmas by train, with a stop in Paris and return through Switzerland, he had agreed before I finished saying “Bernina Express.” While we did, in fact, sleep in four countries over the two-week period, this was not “If it’s Tuesday it Must be Belgium.”

I’ll leave you at the end of this post with a few photos,  but first the route. The final plan included nine train trips in 15 days. Good thing we have time.

Roma to Milano – 2h:55m

Milano to Paris – 7h:26m

Paris to London – 2h:17m

London to Paris – 2h:29m

Paris to Zurich – 4h:03m

Zurich to Chur – 1h:15m

Chur to Tirano – 4h:13m

Tirano to Milano – 2h:32m

Milano to Roma – 3h:55m

During the last segment, the full-to-capacity train broke down and we had to transfer to a new train resulting in a 1-hour delay. We were only a little annoyed, and we got a partial credit from Trenitalia as a result of the delay.

Yes, that is a remarkable 32 hours-or-so in trains, blissfully snoozing, chatting, reading, writing, and watching the lovely scenery. I would not recommend this type of schedule for people on their average trip to Europe. One would not want to spend as much transit time as we did on a typical two-week vacation; However, we have time, a true blessing of retirement and living in Europe.

I have more to blog about in the coming days. Stay tuned! Click on any picture for a slideshow or a closer look.

Our Eurostar train from Paris to London.

We could not believe how many buses careen around London! Never had to wait for more than a few minutes. This view from a cafe above Trafalgar Sq.

Railroad workers coupling two cars, Chur, Switzerland.

Love the way they spelled “Choo-Choo.” Brambrüesch, Switzerland.

Double-decker buses are such a good idea. More cities should adopt them.

London Transportation Museum allows hands-on/body-in experience.

London Transportation Museum – I model a vintage underground car.

Pedicabs are everywhere in Paris and London.

Workers at St. Pancras perform to raise money for a charity.

Tree made of stuffed animals in St. Pancras Station.

The train runs right down the middle of the street in Chur.

Gare du Nord, station for the EuroStar. Love the bear!

Tags: Bernina Express, London, Paris, Switzerland, trains, Transportation