France’s Mighty Fast Train

by Jamie Rhein on

If you have the urge to get from Point A to Point B very fast, France has an option. Yesterday, Train V150 went 357.2 miles per hour. (547.8 kph) This particular speedy ride was to prove that a French train can go that fast. The hope is that China and Japan may want to buy France’s technology for their own trains.

Going that fast does not seem that pleasant. If you’ve ever seen a cartoon where the character’s cheeks are flapping and eyelids are almost turning inside out, that’s what writer Ingrid Rousseau’s experience of riding on this train’s demo journey sounds like. Her ears ached even. Then there was the “green blur” of the scenery as the train sped through. The train did slow down to 194 mph at its cruising pace. Upon arrival at the Champagne-Ardennes train station, passengers were given champagne.

The AP article includes specifics about how a train is made to go that fast and details about China’s plan to build miles of railroad. It’s interesting that the Wright brothers made demo flights in France more than 100 years ago to show just how safe airplane travel is in order to get people to buy their technology. One of the demo flights in Pau, France was when their sister Katharine was the 2nd female passenger to ride in an airplane just to show the safety of air travel for females.

1940’s StyleTrain Travel

by Adrienne Wilson on

Lovers of travel by rail prepare yourself for what I’m about to say. It will sound like an opportunity of a lifetime – something that should not be missed! Imagine zipping through time and space the very same way they did in the olden days when luxury and class was everything and the ladies wore such pretty hairstyles, not the big stuff you see in the south.

According to the folks over at Chicagoist a new train venture from Train Chartering is offering those who can afford this trip of a lifetime the chance to ride in a Mount Vernon rail car from NY to Chicago. The Mount Vernon was built between December 1949 and June 1950 for Pullman service on the Union Pacific Railroad, but has since undergone some minor renovations. Think private rail car with TV, DVD, CD, XM satellite radio receiver, full kitchen, marble-tiled shower and so-on. All this can be yours for the low-cost of $17,500 for full-service which also includes fine dining and beverages.

Go check out the 2007 itinerary if you think it’s a good fit. I’d love to do it myself, but well, I have some other places my $17,500 has to go towards. Perhaps you’ve heard of Sallie Mae’s student loan rail services? Not quite as luxurious, but just as expensive.

More People Traveling with Amtrak

by Adrienne Wilson on

Here’s a few days old article out of USA Today I had been meaning to post, but didn’t get around to it until now. Amtrak ridership is on the rise and factors include tighter airport security and high gas prices according to the article. The hike in travelers riding is mainly in the Northeast, South and Midwest with the busiest trains coming out of Washington DC. Less security hassle or screening makes Amtrak a more convenient and relaxing way to go visit family when your nerves are already pinched from co-workers back at the office. I don’t work in an office, but I can understand that – no one wants the extra bother to top off their holiday if it can be avoided. Anyhow, if you haven’t already decided on if and how you are going to go home this season or any place for that matter – try looking to Amtrak. It seems as though the short-distance routes might not be so bad on the pockets either.

Train Ride Through Mauritania

by Adrienne Wilson on

Joanne Lane is a brave woman; snapping shots of Mauritania’s Iron Ore Express as people jump off and on. Getting lost in the scramble of things she gets pushed up on the train by a husband helping his wife board and ends up sharing snacks with the lady and her child. Passengers ride for free on the Iron Ore Express, but they share limited space with iron ore. Moving at 31 mph the train gathers sand as it chugs along making way to the Sahara on the 419 mile single track railway line. She says it’s one of the longest trains in the world and I believe her – 1.5 miles long. The ride is far from luxury, considerably rough and off-the-beaten path for many a traveler. I tried putting myself in her shoes, wandering how I would do in such conditions – in the shuffle.

If Mauritania is on your radar and you don’t mind a little sand it’s worth it to look at her report featured in the latest Go World Travel. Even if the African country is far from your radar I suggest giving it a glance. Just do it and take a virtual ride, man.