The United States and Mexico gave way to Norway and Britain this year on The Society of International Railway Travellers' (IRT) annual list of The World's Top 25 Trains Trips.
The list is based on the experience of IRT writers, editors, members and staff, with all trains and the trips meeting stringent standards for service, accommodation, scenery, itinerary, off-train experiences and passenger enjoyment.
Owen Hardy, CEO of The Society of IRT which was set up 26 years ago, said two Norwegian routes appear this year - the Flam Line, a steep mountain railway connecting a pristine fjord at the tiny town of Flam with Myrdal, a stop on the equally magnificent Oslo-Bergen Railway. New to the top 25 list is the British Pullman, which completes the British leg of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journeys between Paris and London.
But gone are North America's GrandLuxe Express and Sierra Madre Express which ran in Mexico's Copper Canyon, both closed down currently as victims of the economic downturn.
"The North American train closings had nothing to do with their quality," said Hardy in a statement. "Both were exceptional and extremely popular with American travelers."
Here is the list of the top 25 in geographical order:
North America
1. Canadian (Canada)
2. Royal Canadian Pacific (Canada)
3. Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
South America
4. Andean Explorer (Peru)
5. Hiram Bingham (Peru)
Africa
6. Blue Train (South Africa)
7. Pride of Africa (Rovos Rail) (South Africa)
Asia/Indian Subcontinent
8. Palace on Wheels (India)
9. Eastern & Oriental Express (SE Asia)
10. Shangri-La Express (China/Tibet)
11. Toy Train (India)
12. Deccan Odyssey (India)
Europe
13. Danube Express (Central Europe, Turkey)
14. British Pullman (Great Britain)
15. El Transcantabrico (Spain)
16. Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express (Russia)
17. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
18. Glacier Express (Switzerland)
19. Bernina Express (Switzerland)
20. Royal Scotsman (Scotland)
21. Flam Railway (Norway)
22. Bergen Railway (Norway)
Australia
23. Ghan (Australia)
24. Indian Pacific (Australia)
25. Sunlander (Australia)
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies