World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys

Canadas iconic Rocky Mountaineer train loops from Vancouver to the heart of the Rockies via crystal clear lakes, lush coastal rainforest, and the splendour of the Fraser Canyon.

The New Zealand South Island line scales the snow-capped Southern Alps, travels through Maori hunting grounds and finally reaches Christchurch, a city sitting on a volcano.

The Dovre line runs from Oslo to the remote northern wonderland of Trondheim, passing through the vast Gudbrandsdal valley and across the awe-inspiring Dovrefjell mountain plateau.

A trip beginning in Inverness and soon passing Culloden, the site of the last pitched battle on British soil. It then enters the Cairngorms National Park, home to some of Europes finest landscapes as well as valleys steeped in Gaelic folklore. The parks station at Aviemore is home to the Strathspey Railway, where Victorian steam locomotives come to life. There is then a climb to the highest point on Britains railway network before the train winds its way through Fife. Eventually the route crosses the Forth Bridge before arriving in Scottish capital Edinburgh, admired for its architecture and annual arts festival.

Beginning in the mountaintop town of Creel, the Chihuahua Pacifico Express - or El Chepe for short - winds its way through the Tarahumara Mountains, home to the reclusive Raramuri people. Divisadero, Mexicos most panoramic station, offers the first glimpse of Copper Canyon. Created by six separate yet conjoined gorges, it is four times the size of the Grand Canyon. The train continues on to the Urique Canyon, which at 6,200ft deep it is the deepest in North America. The final leg crosses the state of Sinaloa, Mexicos breadbasket, before reaching Los Mochis and the gateway to the Pacific Ocean.

New Zealands Northern Explorer, the longest-running passenger service in the country. The train travels 423 miles along the historic North Island Main Trunk Line on a 12-hour voyage and the journey takes travellers through some of the most astonishing landscapes of the southern hemisphere from volcanoes to coast and from lava fields to unspoilt islands. Historians explain the history of the railway and tell the tale of the terrible tragedy at Tangiwai, when over 150 people were killed by a volcanic mudflow that hit the train.

A train journey across Sri Lanka along one of the worlds best-preserved Victorian railways. The trip begins in the coastal city of Colombo and moves on to the countrys cultural and spiritual heart in Kandy. The journey continues through a a very English town that produces some of the worlds finest teas, coming to a stop at a hill station surrounded by tropical forests close to one of the worlds most spectacular viaducts - the Nine Arch Bridge.

The West Highland Line is one of the worlds truly legendary train routes, crossing spectacular Scottish moors and mountains as it heads towards Skye. Starting in Glasgow, it glides towards Loch Lomond, the worlds largest inland stretch of water. It then sweeps north to enter the wild and windswept landscape of Rannoch Moor. After ascending to Corrour, Britains highest station, the journey passes Ben Nevis, the UKs tallest mountain and then across the famous Glenfinnan viaduct. The coastal town of Mallaig is gateway to the Isle of Skye with its world-famous Highland cuisine and many breathtaking views.

Luxury heritage train The Northern Belle, aka steam locomotive 6201 Princess Elizabeth, travels through Englands rural north west. Beginning in Preston, the passengers of its stylish 1930s Pullman carriages are soon whisked up through Cumbria and the spectacular landscapes of the Lake District. The train continues on to historic Carlisle, the site of a world-class medieval cathedral and home to supposedly Englands most haunted station. It then joins the Settle to Carlisle line, considered one of the most scenic railway routes in the world.

A look at Bavarias rich history of steam travel, seeing world-beating miniature railways and visiting a whole host of interesting places on a journey to the heart of the Bavarian Alps, where a beer-brewing monk and a town made famous by the Winter Olympics await. Later, a trip to Germanys highest mountain Zugspitze - which offers amazing panoramic views right across Germany and Austria.

Cameras focus on the island of Taiwan, and three extraordinary railways. The journey begins in the eastern port city of Hualien, from where we travel north along the rugged Pacific coast. The trek ends with a view of Taiwans highest mountain peaks above a sea of clouds.

Cameras focus on Austrias stunning Transalpine railway, which crosses the snowy peaks of the Tirol. Our journey begins in the historic city of Graz and heads west through famous alpine beauty spots, including Zell am Zee, where the sounds of yodelling still echo across pristine mountain valleys. The final stretch passes through the 10.6- kilometre Arlberg Tunnel.

A magical mid-summer railway journey through central Sweden starts in Mora on the Inlandsbanan. This traditional town is in the county of Dalarna, the heart of Swedish traditional culture and often known as Sweden in miniature.

In Anchorage, Alaska, cameras focus on flagship service the Denali Star, a luxury passenger train and part of the great Alaska Railroad fleet. The vehicle then heads north along the Knik Arm, and crosses this huge sea inlet to enter the vast wilderness of Alaska, Americas largest and remotest state.

Escape with us aboard the magnificent steam train Tornado as it is coupled up with 13 luxury vintage carriages on a 6 hour journey through Yorkshire, to Northumbria and the Borders.

Pulled by a gleaming Siemens Charger locomotive, our double-decked coaches will take us on a 350-mile trip into the Californian dream. On our way well stop off in Carlsbad.

The latest train excursion includes a trip to Portugals Quinta de Vargellas, a vineyard that has been making port for centuries. Cameras also focus on the seaside city of Aveiro, and theres a trip to Lisbon to visit the home of the regional custard tart.

Starting from one of the worlds most remote cities, Walvis Bay, in Namibia, we roll 1,500 miles through the Kalahari desert to Pretoria, South Africas Executive Capital.

This is a scenic railway journey like few others. Leaving chic 21st century Nice behind the Train des Pigne takes us back into the Provence of the past.

Celebrating the wonders of Queensland, we travel over 1,000 miles (1,600 kms) from Brisbane to Cairns onboard one of the most advanced trains in the world.