Route Maps of the Maharajas' Express (India)

Route Maps of the Maharajas' Express (India), originally uploaded by Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars.

Just 16 days to the first journey - the maiden voyage - of the Maharajas' Express, the newest luxury train in the world.

Rheingold - German charter train, panoramic dome car

Rheingold - German charter train, panoramic dome car, originally uploaded by Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars.

The Rheingold is a very special train based in Germany but able to travel across much of eastern Europe and Italy.
Private Rail Cars can arrange for this and other carriages to be added to regular, scheduled train services, some of which are cross-border.

Private rail cars on the Trans Siberian Express

The Luxury Train Club has news about the current availability on the Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Express.  It looks like there will be private rail cars available.....

Simon Pielow
Trainvangelist for Quality Rail Travel
The Best Way to Travel on Earth

Private Rail Car - Hickory Creek, observation lounge

Private Rail Car - Hickory Creek, lounge, originally uploaded by Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars.

Great views to be had from the observation lounge of the round-ended Hickory Creek

Private Rail Cars lists on Luxury Train Club

Private Rail Cars is now featured on the Luxury Train Club website.

Train Chartering’s Luxury Train Club is now offering the hire or charter of Private Rail Cars in various countries around the world, on 4 continents.

I believe private rail car hire is largely unknown outside the rail industry. A simple truth in few words: a private rail car is the best way to travel on Earth.

  

This new entry in the Luxury Train Club covers the following key areas:

-       What is private car hire?

-       What types of private rail car are there?

-       Where are the rail cars available for private hire?

-       Who generally hires private rail cars?

-       Why hire a private rail car?

-        Who can supply a rail car or carriage for private use?

The Luxury Train Club is the concierge service for luxury train travel.  The Club offers comprehensive guest and project management services for all private charter trains and private carriages. Our project directors are great communicators, both to clients and suppliers.  They liaise with station staff and train crew.  The Luxury Train Club also organises private waiting facilities at or near stations as well as other tailored catering, theming, and entertainment options, according to specific client requirements. 

Simon Pielow
Trainvangelist for Quality Rail Travel
The Best Way to Travel on Earth

Great value fares on chartered US rail car trip

Tidewater Traveler


Saturday, April 17, 2010 and Sunday, April 18, 2010
 
The Dover Harbor - Washington DC to Williamsburg or Newport News

Experience luxurious rail travel aboard the classic 1930’s Pullman lounge/sleeper Dover Harbor-- travel to the Tidewater region of Virginia to Williamsburg, the Colonial Capital, or to the maritime city of Newport News.

An early morning departure from Washington Union Station or Alexandria
Enjoy breakfast served at table, as Amtrak’s Regional train #67 goes south over the trestles spanning scenic tributaries of the Potomac River and through the historic cities of Fredericksburg and Richmond.
Relax in comfortable Pullman armchairs while white-jacketed attendants serve beverages, libations, and snacks.

Shortly before mid-day, Dover Harbor will arrive at Williamsburg.
EITHER disembark at Williamsburg:
Stroll along the 18th century streets in Colonial Williamsburg.
Enjoy the beauty of the spring flowers in the restored gardens or tour the historic sites (admission fee) during a five hour visit (the historic district is approximately a six block walk from Amtrak’s Boundary Street Station);
OR continue to Newport News:
Visit attractions such as the world famous Mariner’s Museum, a short taxi ride from the Newport News Amtrak station (admission fee).

Dover Harbor will depart from Newport News in late afternoon with Amtrak’s Regional train #66, stopping at Williamsburg on the way.
Dinner will be served while en route home to Alexandria and Washington.

ROUND TRIP FARES:
Washington to Williamsburg/Newport News $209 Child (ages 2-15) $159

Contact Us!

Simon Pielow
Trainvangelist for Quality Rail Travel
The Best Way to Travel on Earth

Where can a private rail car be hired?

The following countries are those in which private rail cars or carriages can be hired.  There are a number of other places where it is possible – ask for advice

Australia – Routes available for private carriage hire

 

 Australia - Luxury private rail car routes

Brazil – Rail car experience map - not a common experience, but worthy of being listed!

 

The Great Brazil Express - a little luxury in a huge country

Canada – Private rail cars can travel across the Via Rail network

 

The Via Rail map

Russia - Part of the Russian rail network available to private rail car hire.

Rail Map of Russian Railways around Moscow

Switzerland – Part of the Swiss rail network over which private carriages operate.

Rail map of most of the Swiss railway network

United Kingdom – Private train carriages can be reserved on many rail services such as London to Scotland.

The UK's East Coast mainline railway

United States of America – Private rail cars can be hired for these routes in the US

Simon Pielow
Trainvangelist for Quality Rail Travel
The Best Way to Travel on Earth

Mount Stephen rail car, Royal Canadian Pacific luxury train

Mount Stephen rail car, Royal Canadian Pacific luxury train, originally uploaded by Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars.

In the bleak midwinter, dream of warm summer days in luxury - this is the observation car of the Royal Canadian Pacific.
Hire a private car in the train for an extremely comfortable ride!

Private Rail Car luxury travel - no flying

Private Rail Car Metis - interior lounge, originally uploaded by Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars.

Head for the sun, luxury travel, no-fly - journey from New York to the US West Coast in a private rail car....

Private rail cars / carriages in Australia

Private Carriages can be attached to the Ghan, the Overland and Indian Pacific Trains

The Chairman’s Carriage

 

Accommodates up to 8 guests

2 double bedrooms sharing 2-way bathroom

2 twin cabins with adjacent bathroom facilities

Lounge with CD player, DVD and video entertainment

Dining room for private dining as required, with a dedicated chef (extra cost)

Fully equipped kitchen

Guests dine in the Ghan’s Gold Restaurant at no extra cost

Private charters arranged from Adelaide, Alice Springs or Darwin

The Prince of Wales’s Carriage

        

The Prince of Wales Carriage was built in 1919 for a royal visit by Edward, Prince of Wales. The carriage was recently refurbished but has many original features, including high ceilings of Wunderlich-pressed metal and cathedral glass doors.

Accommodates up to 10 guests

4 twin cabins

2 large single cabins which, combined, form the Mountbatten Suite

Lounge featuring ornate wood carvings

Full-size main bathroom

Guests dine in the Ghan’s Gold Restaurant at no extra cost

Private charters can be arranged between Adelaide and Darwin

The Governor’s Lounge

The Governor's Lounge is the sister carriage to the Prince of Wales Carriage. This timber carriage was constructed in 1917 for the official opening of the Trans Australian Railway.

Spacious lounge areas with comfortable arm chairs and a piano

Large picture windows

2 televisions

2 mini-bar fridges and tea & coffee making facilities

Private charters can be arranged from Adelaide or Darwin

The Sir John Forrest Carriage

The Sir John Forrest Carriage is named after the explorer made famous for the first crossing of Western Australia by land in 1870. Follow in his footsteps across the Nullarbor Plain, travelling in the comfort of this modern carriage.

Accommodates up to 6 guests

1 double bedroom with ensuite bathroom

2 twin cabins with ensuite facilities

Additional bathroom

Kitchenette/ bar and lounge area

Leather lounges and large picture windows

Big screen television, video/ DVD, powerpoint screening facilities

Meeting area with boardroom table (seats twelve)

Guests dine in the Ghan’s Gold Restaurant at no extra cost

Private charters can be arranged between Adelaide and Darwin

Common types of private rail cars in the USA

Although private rail cars are available in Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and in the UK - at least - the USA has the largest number available for private hire.

These are the main types of US private rail car hire. 

Business Car

Business cars were originally designed to be used by railroad employees.  They generally have between two and four bedrooms with one or more bathrooms, as well as separate crew cabins, a dining area for between six and ten passengers, a lounge and an open rear platform.  The illustrated rail car is the Tioga Pass.

Coach

The coach is a regular seated passenger rail car or carriage as seen on any scheduled railway, with toilets / washrooms at one end or both ends.  In the US, when used as a private rail car, the seats often have foot-rests and can be reclined. Some seats face each other, with a table between them.

Lounge

Lounge cars have armchair or other scattered seating, tables and, frequently, a bar.  The illustration shows the Northern View, which additionally has a dining area and a dome lounge.

Sleeper

In most cases, sleeper cars consist of cabins or sleeper rooms; sometimes they have open sections.  Occasionally, one or more cabins have been converted to provide catering facilities, a lounge or showers.  The plan is of the Evelyn Henry.

Sleeper / Lounge

Sleeper / lounge cars normally have five or six double bedrooms or cabins, a small buffet area, occasionally with a kitchenette, and a lounge. 

The illustration is of the J. Pinckney Henderson.

Before I start....

A great video that introduces private rail cars very neatly.....

All about private railcars and carriages

This is a good photo to open the blog! The Mount Stephen is the last car in the Royal Canadian Pacific luxury train, and is typical of a type of rail car known as a business car.

This blog aims to introduce rail cars / carriages that are available for hire to individuals and small groups.

In the coming days and weeks, I hope to cover the following topics:

What is a private rail car or carriage?

Where can a private rail car or carriage be hired?

Who are the typical hirers of a private rail car / carriage?

Why should the hire of a private rail car or carriage be considered?

When is the best time to hire a private rail car / carriage?

I look forward to reading any comments or contributions!