All Of It – Train Hour Part 2: Amazing Train Journeys
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Tom Hall, Vice President and Editor, Lonely Planet
Air Date: January 14, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode of "All Of It" celebrates the unique magic and enduring allure of train travel, shifting from nostalgia and cultural context to practical, inspiring recommendations for 2026 and beyond. Host Alison Stewart welcomes Tom Hall from Lonely Planet to discuss unforgettable train journeys around the globe, highlight iconic routes, and share listener stories that capture the romance and adventure of exploring by rail. From the Rockies to the Rhine, sleeper trains to slow travel, the conversation explores what makes train journeys stand out, offers expert advice, and gathers community experiences all in one engaging hour.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Timeless Romance and Experience of Train Travel
- Nostalgia and Modern Appeal:
- Tom notes that the "romance of traveling by train is timeless," rooted in the historic golden age of railways, but still alive in today’s travel experiences.
- He highlights how stations like Grand Central and classic train names (“California Zephyr,” “Orient Express”) evoke both history and magic.
- Quote: "A lot of people want to take a train for the experience, which isn't something you hear people say about a flight very often." – Tom Hall (01:46)
- Distinctiveness vs. Planes and Cars:
- The conversation centers on the slower pace, relaxation, and unique landscapes afforded by trains:
- "Taking a train is a great example... to see the landscape go rolling by in a very relaxed way." – Tom Hall (02:29)
- The journey itself becomes part of the vacation, rather than just “wasting a vacation day.”
- The conversation centers on the slower pace, relaxation, and unique landscapes afforded by trains:
2. Listener Stories: The Joys and Wonders of Great Train Rides
- The show intersperses recommendations with evocative listener calls and texts:
- The Trans-Siberian Railroad: Marshall describes traveling from Beijing to Moscow via Mongolia and Lake Baikal in 2008 – “just seeing parts of the world that most people I know have never been to.” (04:24)
- Banff to Vancouver (Rockies): Bill recalls a 1977 adventure across the Rockies, sharing tales of labor issues, “beer and Cracker Jacks in the observation car,” and spectacular scenery. (05:05)
- Northeast Regional: Katie treasures her annual NY-Chicago holiday ride for solitary reflection and scenic winter views by the Great Lakes. (10:47)
- Peruvian Andes: Dan fulfills a dream by riding atop the Andes, sharing oxygen at 15,600ft: "People on the train literally passing out... A doctor going around with a bag of oxygen.” (12:28)
- Train + Bike in Europe: Inez recounts how Europe’s rail system saved her transcontinental cycling adventure, allowing easy transitions and scenic sightseeing. (17:20)
- Mexico City to Oaxaca: Dwight details a moonlit journey on a retired Amtrak train— “arrived in Oaxaca in the morning and didn't realize my face was covered in soot.” (18:30)
- Switzerland's Alps: Sakita praises the Swiss dedication to premium, "picture postcard" train experiences and the power of slow travel. (21:57)
3. Expert Picks: Unforgettable Train Journeys for 2026
Tom Hall presents Lonely Planet's must-try routes, explaining what makes each one distinctive:
California Zephyr (Chicago to Oakland) – [05:58]
- A three-day, 2,500-mile cross-country odyssey via prairies, deserts, and mountain gorges.
- “Some of the most spectacular mountains that you'll see from any train anywhere in the world... made better by the observation car.” – Tom Hall (06:25)
- Recommended section: Denver to Glenwood Springs, through “roadless wilderness” and “deep, narrow gorges.”
The Deer Stalker (Caledonian Sleeper: London to Fort William, Scotland) – [07:57]
- Tom’s personal favorite: Depart London at night, wake in the Scottish Highlands.
- Experience “a malt whiskey nightcap” and possibly spot deer at dawn.
- Explains sleeper cars: now often “private cabins, en suite... you just snooze your way through to breakfast.”
- “Nothing more exciting for a child than falling asleep in one place... and waking up in another location entirely.” (09:45)
Rocky Mountaineer (Vancouver to Banff) – [12:57]
- Premium, 37-hour, 550-mile journey.
- “All at once a geological field trip, a sightseeing adventure and a wildlife safari... some of Canada’s most breathtaking landscapes.”
- Includes gourmet food, onboard guides, and break for the night, culminating in Banff National Park.
Rhine Route (Cologne to Mannheim, Germany) – [15:38]
- Travels “down the River Rhine,” a route passing through medieval castles, wine regions, and fairytale towns—“ancient Europe, medieval Europe, and modern Europe all in front of you.”
- Noted for flexibility: “So easy to just stop and start, break your journey where you want to.” (16:45)
Bergensbanen (Oslo to Bergen, Norway) – [19:37]
- Six hours, cutting across canyons, rivers, ice fields (including sites from “Empire Strikes Back”), with clockwork Norwegian efficiency.
- “Covers the broad spectrum of Norway's natural splendor... climb through canyons, cross rivers, burrow straight through mountainsides and cross giant icescapes.” (20:00)
- Plug for Norway in a Nutshell Tour and the scenic Flåm line.
Bangkok to Singapore (via Thailand & Malaysia) – [21:08]
- Three-day trip by a series of trains; not a direct service, but intentionally “better to take this one slowly.”
- “Steamy, tropical, the food is incredible, everything is intense and it's a really great and very safe way to travel.” (21:51)
4. Local Gem: Metro North Hudson Line – [22:41]
- Tom’s surprise NYC-area pick: Grand Central to Poughkeepsie.
- “Leave the city behind... small marinas, bucolic river towns... high cliffs, even a castle—Bannerman Castle—you can spot on the way.”
- “Spectacular in fall. 90 minutes from the center of New York.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Defining Slow Travel:
- “We talk a little bit at Lonely Planet about the idea of slow travel, about letting the journey unfold itself, about taking in the sights, the people that you meet along the way.” – Tom Hall (02:29)
- On Sleeper Trains:
- “Sleepers are either a lie-flat room of your own, or in some places in Europe you would still share with other people. But increasingly, it’s a private cabin... you just snooze your way through to breakfast when the guard will bring you what you’ve ordered.” – Tom Hall (08:43)
- On Meeting Fellow Travelers:
- “Some of these are just wonderful places to meet people... see the landscape go rolling by in a very relaxed way.” – Tom Hall (02:29)
- On Train Names:
- “Trains are often named historically by the company that originally set them up... those names have stuck around and people still call them that. So a bit of marketing and a little bit of magic dust, I think.” – Tom Hall (07:15)
- Listener Dan, on Peru:
- “At the time, it was the highest train ride in the world... people on the train literally passing out, a doctor going around with a bag of oxygen.” (12:28)
- On Swiss Trains (Sakita):
- “The Swiss have like perfected train travel... first class and they really know how to travel beautifully. The picture postcard valleys, happy cows... you really felt like you were in the moment.” (21:57)
Important Timestamps
- 01:46 – Tom Hall on the romance of train travel and its enduring glamour.
- 04:24–05:48 – Listener stories: Trans-Siberian and Rockies adventures.
- 05:58–07:53 – Deep dive: California Zephyr, train names and marketing.
- 07:57–10:00 – The Deer Stalker/Caledonian Sleeper in Scotland; sleeper car explanation.
- 10:41–12:43 – More listener calls: personal traditions and extreme train rides.
- 12:57–15:32 – Rocky Mountaineer and its luxury features.
- 15:38–17:14 – Scenic Rhine route in Germany, European train network culture.
- 17:20–19:20 – Listener maxi-adventures and the North American/Mexican train nostalgia.
- 19:37–21:01 – Norway’s Bergensbanen and the “Norway in a Nutshell” experience.
- 21:08–21:51 – Bangkok to Singapore by train, savoring the slow, sensory journey.
- 21:57–22:41 – Listener on Swiss trains; Tom’s Hudson Line local recommendation.
Conclusion
"All Of It" surfaces the depth and diversity of train journeys as more than traversal—they’re immersive cultural and personal experiences. Tom Hall’s expertise and passion, together with the voices of listeners, create an inspiring case for making train travel a highlight (not just a means) of a trip, whether you’re seeking breathtaking landscapes, classic hospitality, slow travel delights, or a distinct window onto the cultures and histories of the world.
For more of Lonely Planet’s train journey picks, check out their book "Amazing Train Journeys."