Q.
It’s hard to imagine that some of us used to look forward to airports and regular flights: the anticipation of an adventure, roomy seats, white linen meal service, delicious food 😱.

Is it still possible to find some of the romance of the journey in a train – particularly if you have time to spare? Which train voyages are particularly exciting people these days? And how did renowned artists of the past capture the special magic of train travel?

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A.

In their 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, Conde Nast Traveller highlights the most popular train journeys as reported by thousands of readers

Top 10 Best Train Trips In The World. 2024
i.    British Pullman, a Belmond Train, England
ii.   Rocky Mountaineer, North America
iii.  Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond Train, Southeast Asia
iv.   Andean Explorera, a Belmond Train, Peru
v.    Glacier Express, Switzerland
vi.   Hiram Bingham, a Belmond Train, Machu Picchu
vii.  Golden Eagle Danube Express, Europe
viii. Venice Simplon Orient Express, a Belmond Train
ix.   Northern Belle, Europe
x.    Royal Scotsman, a Belmont Train, Scotland

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And how has train travel been captured by artists over the centuries?

William H. Schenck. Railroad Depot. 1859-60

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Augustus Leopold Egg. The Travelling Companions. 1862

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Claude Monet. Gare Saint-Lazare. 1877.

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Herbert William Garratt. View of York Station. 1909

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Bernard Meninsky. Victoria Station, District Railway. 1918

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Stanhope Alexander Forbes. The Terminus, Penzance Station, Cornwall. 1925

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Raoul Dufy. Train in the Station. 1935

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Edward Hopper. Compartment Car. 1938

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René Magritte. Time Transfixed. 1938

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Edward Hopper. Chair Car. 1965

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www.justcurious.ca

Header Art: Edouard Manet. Gare Saint-Lazare. 1873