Mighty Trains

In April, Skagway, Alaska, is a quiet little village, but from May through September, it transforms into a boomtown. Every year, thousands of cruise ship passengers dock here and take a ride on the historic White Pass and Yukon Route to get a taste of what the life was like for Klondike gold miners over a century ago. Embark on a journey through mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, and trestles, and discover the challenges involved in maintaining this mountain railway and keeping its rare, old locomotives in top hauling form.

When it comes to delivering freshly caught cod, mackerel, herring, and salmon from the Arctic Coast to the rest of the world, there is only one train for the job: the North Rail Express. This highly specialized container train travels a 1,200-mile route through the steep, icy mountains of Norway and Sweden, with high-tech refrigeration trailers to keep the cargo in peak condition. See how this mighty train battles treacherous environments and tight deadlines to deliver each catch of the day on time, no matter what gets in its way.

The Ghan takes passengers on a three-day, two-night journey across Australia, from Adelaide in the south through the country's "red center" to Darwin in the tropical Top End. This train offers an unforgettable 1,865-mile adventure for foreigners and Aussies alike, but there is no end to the challenges it faces while charging through rough, raw, and remote areas. See how the Ghan and her dedicated crew keep its guests pampered and entertained while readying itself against floods, brush fires, and the sheer vastness of the Outback.

KiwiRail’s scenic journeys through New Zealand may appear serene to passengers, but to the conductors and engineers who keep these tour trains running, it takes hard work and nerves of steel. Embark on two odysseys through the country’s northern and southern islands, past treacherous fault lines, active volcanoes, and dizzying heights. Visit epic landscapes, including “Hobbiton”, home to the “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” movies, as well as the site of the most devastating rail disaster in New Zealand’s history.

Embark on a South American adventure across punishing terrain and up the Northern Andes. This three-day expedition aboard Ecuador’s Tren Crucero travels from the Pacific city of Guayaquil to the capital city of Quito and through such treacherous landmarks as the Avenue of the Volcanoes and the Devil’s Nose. See what it takes to keep this luxury railway train running through dense jungles, busy cities, and multiple climate zones.

One train. One driver. 3,000 tons of timber a day. Timber hauling is big business for Sweden’s economy, and it takes a mighty train and some strong-willed men and women to pull it off. Hop aboard the Hector Rail’s new fleet of high-capacity wagons as it transports massive payloads of timber to a state-of-the-art pulp mill. From slippery tracks and steep hills to wild animals and winding tunnels, drivers face plenty of challenges on their 12-hour journey.