Anthony Lambert

Discover the world’s most iconic train journeys and soak up the geography, heritage and quiet luxury that make each unique. Spanning six continents, the journeys range from epic, multi-day odysseys to delightful local rides to capture the simple joys of rail travel. Each journey is brought to life with: Commissioned illustrations that evoke the spirit of each route. An exploration of the cultural and historical significance of the trains, tracks and stations.  Highlights to watch for along the way, from architectural gems and engineering feats to natural wonders and stunning landscapes. Travel through the snow-covered peaks of Switzerland, the vast deserts of Australia, the lush valleys of Japan and the dramatic coastlines of Norway. Encounter tales of lions in Kenya, elephants on Namibian tracks, and wartime escapes in the Alps. Whether it’s the Ghan, the Glacier Express or the Settle & Carlisle, each route invites readers to experience the world from the window of a train. Perfect for armchair travellers, train enthusiasts and lovers of slow travel, Great Rail Journeys is a giftable tribute to the enduring magic of railways. It’s a book to inspire your next adventure, or simply to enjoy the ride.

Whether you're on the Orient Express or the Inverness to Wick and Thurso route traversing some of the wildest country in Britain, train travel affords a vision of the world like no other. From the modest line through North Yorkshire's Esk Valley to the Trans-Siberian; from a narrow-gauge web of lines in the Harz Mountains to the coast-tocoast journey through the mountains of Corsica, acclaimed travel writer Anthony Lambert presents an unmissable selection for any traveller who loves the journey as much as the destination. Here is a carefully chosen, wide-ranging selection of train journeys with character, sublime scenery and a real sense of history.