Travel by RailTravel by Rail

Travel by RailTravel by Rail

Learning Objectives :-

• Overview of the history of rail travel

• List the different types of eurailpasses

• Describe Amtrak service

• Understand the travellers’ motivations

Evolution of the Rail industryEvolution of the Rail industry

• Taken 150 years to evolve, is by far the safest and most economical form of transport

• Evolved from steam engines to diesel engines

Evolution of the Rail industryEvolution of the Rail industry

• Diesel engine offered more efficiency and longer lasting and used cheaper fuel

• Diesel engines replaced steam engines on ships and trains

Domestic Passenger TrainsDomestic Passenger Trains

• USA and England are pioneers in domestic passenger trains

• In USA – Amtrak domestic passenger train operator

Decline of North American Decline of North American Passenger Rail ServicePassenger Rail Service

• Amtrak used to operate over 416,000 km of railroad track in 1916

• Presently, operating over 38,616 km in forty-four states

Decline of North American Decline of North American Passenger Rail ServicePassenger Rail Service

• Long distance travelling has been replaced by automobile and airplane

• In the early 1900s, thousand of passenger trains linked almost all US cities

Passenger Rail TravelPassenger Rail Travel

4 major categories of rail travel :-

1) Transportation rail

2) High-speed trains

3) Specialty trains

4) Local rail

Why people travel by rail?Why people travel by rail?

1) Save time

2) Experience the environment

3) Travel in comfort

4) Meet people

5) Save money

6) “Travel back in time”

7) Feeling of safety

Scenic TrainScenic Train

• Pacific Sunliner from San Diego to Los Angeles

• American Orient Express uses vintage cars on its routes through North America

• Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle, on-board tastings of wines from California, Oregon and Washington

Scenic TrainScenic Train

• The Eastern & Oriental Express is the ultimate centre piece of a visit to the Far East travelling in style and experiencing the many and mystical wonders of Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

• Involving a balance of Eastern culture and cuisine and Western comforts on board the train with superb service, combined with the adventure of a journey through the heart of Asia, provide a unique travel experience.

E&O ExpressE&O Express

• Highlights• This spectacular journey takes from the elegance of Singapore on

board the Eastern & Oriental Express, through the heart of South East Asia to Bangkok, before continuing on to Chiang Mai through magnificent scenery.

Prices• Jan 2005 - Dec 2005Pullman CompartmentSIN$3620

State CompartmentSIN$5300Presidential SuiteSIN$7050

• Prices are per person based on sharing accommodation and include: All table d'hôte meals on board, complimentary tea and coffee in your comportment, and sightseeing tours as described, three nights at the Peninsular Hotel in Bangkok in a standard room are included for guests booking a State Compartment.

E&O ExpressE&O Express

• Timetable•  Arrive  Depart WednesdaySingapore (Keppel

Road station)-11:00ThursdayButterworth (for Penang)08:3011:30FridayRiver Kwai BridgeGuided Tour of River Kwai08:4511:15Bangkok (Hualampong station)

E&O ExpressE&O Express

• Transfer to chosen hotel for a three night stay14:45-Saturday/SundayAt leisure and overnight in Bangkok--MondayBangkok (Hualampong station)-10:30AyutthayaGuided tour and river cruise13:2516:30TuesdayChiang Mai09:15-

ReservationsReservations

• Internet

• Computer Reservations System (CRS)

• Toll-Free number

• Travel Agencies

• Railway Station counter

Nostalgic trainsNostalgic trains

• Popular named trains, restored and re-created e.g. Orient Express, E&O Express

• Operate on scenic routes using restored equipment with deluxe amenities and offering top-flight service

• Provide more than transportation; they also provide experience

Rail PassesRail Passes

Definition of Eurailpass :-

• Pass for unlimited first-class rail travel on the trains of seventeen western European countries, for example, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Portugal and Sweden etc.

Rail PassesRail Passes

• Introduced in 1959 by a consortium of railroads

• Promote extensive network of trains that Europe had developed after World War II

Rail PassesRail Passes

• Must be purchased in advance

• Must give their passport number which is put on the passes

• Passes are validated and stamped with the first use in Europe and last date of permitted travel

Rail PassesRail Passes

Other examples :-

• Eurail selectpass :- unlimited first-class travel within any three adjoining eurail countries

• Youthpasses :- second-class travel for people younger than 26

Rail PassesRail Passes

• Determine how long the traveler plans to be in Europe

• Putting together an itinerary of countries

• Flexibility and length of the trip

Rail PassesRail Passes

• Number of people in the group

• Age-related discounts e.g. Adult, youth and senior citizens

Future of Rail TravelFuture of Rail Travel

• Building new routes and developing new equipment

• European and Japanese railroads outclassed air travel in comfort and convenience

SummarySummary

• Travelers understand the evolution of the rail industry from the steam to diesel modes of rail transportation

• Travelers will also have a good insight of the different types of luxury rail trains