Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
European travel outfits need to be put together in a very particular way so that you don't end up looking like a tourist. Get ideas for European travel outfits with help from a fashion and lifestyle professional in this free video clip.
The world’s longest railway runs nearly 5,800 miles, reaches from Europe to Asia, crosses 16 rivers and spans eight time zones. As a piece of living history and an example of tremendous human effort, the Trans-Siberian Railway provides a wealth of learning opportunities. Classroom activities tied to the railway cover core subjects across the K-12 curriculum.
Just as for the real trains, O gauge trains must cross over land features that contribute to a terrain with added dimension. A bridge is the practical means of crossing rivers, highways and deep gorges. Various hobby manufacturers offer bridges to fulfill these needs, yet installing one of these can mean that you'll see that exact same bridge when you visit your friend's model railroad. If you build an O gauge model railroad bridge from scratch, you add dimension to your layout without the risk of the unintended consequences of ubiquity.
A stream, drainage ditch or other dip in the ground can present a problem for ATV trails, paths for nature walks and bike or horseback riding trails. A simple solution to the problem is a stringer bridge made from salvaged railroad ties. Building a bridge from railroad ties does not necessarily take extraordinary skill or engineering knowledge. It does, however take an understanding of supports, weight distribution and working with creosote-treated railroad ties. Although most railroad ties are aged from use, creosote remains in the lumber and requires some minor precautions, like gloves and long sleeves, to prevent skin irritation.
Model train bridges that go over the track can be used as a pedestrian bridge or to span a gorge or another area of your layout. The bridge design can be based off many styles, such as a trestle bridge. The bridge will require supports and a bed for the track. This can be done by using both wood dowels and Balsa. You can find all of the materials for this project at a local hobby store.
For the serious model railroader, a sheet of plywood with track on top simply won't suffice. More interesting layouts will likely include various elevations, and some of these present a challenge of passage for a railroad. The obvious solution to cross rivers, lakes, gorges and highways is to install a bridge for the model trains to pass. A variety of bridges exist for the use of the prototype railroads, and adding one of these to your model railroad layout will give it another noteworthy feature.
A guitar is a big investment you need to take care of, especially when traveling. Even if you are traveling across the city on a train, there are a number of ways your guitar can be damaged during the ride. You should travel with care, and there are also preparations you should make before boarding the train to ensure your guitar makes it to its destination in one piece.
By the beginning of the 1960s, British Rail, formerly the British Railways company, faced some big problems. The publicly owned company was responsible for running the vast majority of rail transport across Great Britain, but it was losing money. As a result, British Rail executives took action that greatly reshaped the state of railways in Britain, thus marking the early 1960s as something of a turbulent time.
Rail sleepers or rail ties are the pieces on which the rail lines are set. The ties lay perpendicular to the rails and are tied to them with metal clamps or spikes. Traditional rail sleepers were made of wood, but concrete has become a more common material in recent times. Although, concrete rail sleepers have been beneficial to a degree, they still have four main problems.
In the wake of the 9/11 attack, identification and security checks for airline passengers have been vigorously and strictly enforced. All international passengers are required to present a valid passport and domestic travelers over age 18 must carry government-issued photo identification. The process of screening passengers begins when you make your reservation. At the airport, you must provide identification as many as five times before boarding the flight. Since security officers often review your airline-generated boarding pass and your ID together, it's always best if the name on your reservation matches your name as it appears on your government-issued ID.…
With constantly rising gas prices throughout the country and the premium cost of air travel, transportation by train can be a welcome alternative for many. Traveling on the rails can include both advantages and disadvantages, however. For example, passengers might be forced to decide if the tranquil scenery is worth the often bumpy ride.
The Trans-Siberian Railroad is the longest railroad in the world and one of the oldest. Track was first laid in the late 1800s when the Tsar gave orders for the massive industrial project to begin. Construction took many years, but was completed in 1916 to great fanfare. Today, the Trans-Siberian Railroad is a major tourist attraction; travelers on the railroad can see some of the most beautiful and notable places in Russia as the train speeds from Moscow all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Amtrak trains are an ecofriendly way to travel. If you choose to travel by train you can purchase a regular seat or sleeper train ticket with a bed. For longer journeys sleepers are best because you can be well rested upon arrival. Your train travel time can then also double as a hotel stay, saving you money on accommodations.
Connersville, an Indiana town of approximately 13,000 people, is located in Fayette County in the eastern part of the state. It was first settled in 1808 and became an important trade center and manufacturing city during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many monuments and museums exist today honoring Connersville's history.
According to Amtrak's website, "each passenger paying a fare is entitled to a seat, to the extent coach seats are available." Often, getting a seat is as simple as paying a fare. But during holiday seasons and other high-volume travel times, and on certain trains, even that's not necessarily a guarantee -- a warning also echoed by Amtrak on its website: "on unreserved trains, there are no guaranteed seats."
Haunted highways, houses and roads are part of the mystery associated with urban legends. The Green Man's legend allegedly started with the disfigurement of a West Pennsylvania man. According to legend, the man was electrocuted badly as a boy in the 1910s, removing large portions of his face. Over time the story of the local disfigured man who lived a quiet life, morphed into the haunting of the Green Man. Several locations are thought to be the Green Man's resting place, including the dark tunnel on Piney Fork Road.
According to British Railway Engineering Encyclopaedia compiler Iain Ellis, British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL), was the engineering division for railway systems, until company privatization in 1989. BREL produced many railway wagons and many wagon types, for general and specialized roles. Many of these are still in operation, partly because of rigorous maintenance regimes, even though, according to the Competition Commission, the practice has now switched to "in the field" maintenance.
Amtrak travels to more than 500 destinations in 46 states. The process of planning your rail journey may seem daunting. However, Amtrak has an interactive Route Atlas that helps you plan your route. You can search by station or route, or plot your own custom route. This interactive atlas makes planning your trip as easy as a click of the mouse.
Construction on the Trans-Siberian Railroad (TSR) began in 1891 and was finished 25 years later, in 1916. The eventual measurements of track length reached almost 6,000 miles. The railroad line originates in St. Petersberg, traverses most of the old Soviet Union, geographically. It eventually terminates in Vladivostock, passing through dozens of major and minor European cities along the way, including Moscow. The track now even stretches into China. Though more than 100 years old, the TSR still serves multiple purposes for the region.
Dining options available to passengers traveling with Amtrak depend on the distance and route. Passengers can enjoy full sit-down meals in long-distance dining cars and informal food service at cafe and snack cars. Menu choices differ between routes; Amtrak offers a listing of current meal options on its website. Generally, long-distance trains feature rotating menus that allow passengers to enjoy different options on outbound and return trips, while menus on cafe and snack cars are generally static.
Many people enjoy the old-fashioned nostalgia, romance and excitement of a ride on the rails. While train travel may not be as popular as it once was, there are still a variety of railroads which offer scenic day trips, holiday trips, dinner excursions and brunch excursions. These types of railroads and railway excursions can be found all over the country from Alaska to California and places in between. From first-class gourmet dining trips to murder mystery excursions, day train trips have something for every taste.
National and private rail operators offer countless train excursions with scenic vistas. Travelers can opt for organized, packaged vacations or explore at their own pace with individual tickets or rail passes. In Europe, short distances allow visitors to explore historic villages and towns, as well as stunning landscapes, in a matter of hours or in a day. Elsewhere, transcontinental railroads that once connected expanding nations with their frontier now offer scenic multi-day train trips with glimpses of the changing landscape.
Different types of bridges are constructed to span bodies of water, valleys, roadways, railways and other obstacles. Early bridges were built from wood. As construction techniques advanced, iron, steel and concrete became popular materials for building bridges, allowing the structures to hold increased amounts of weight. Bridges are used for a number of transportation needs.
Many historic railroads offering passenger services in Missouri are operated by volunteer, nonprofit organizations. These groups are dedicated to preserving passenger rail travel, and provide rides on vintage passenger cars and locomotives. As of April 2011, there are four passenger train services in Missouri. While most routes are short in distance, they provide a glimpse into the state's past. Trips provide scenic views of the state's countryside and wilderness, passing through trestles, tunnels and forgotten communities of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Rail travel is one of the most effective ways to get around Europe. Traveling by rail is cheaper than flying, cuts down on airport wait times and allows you to see more of the continent while in transit. Railways are run by national rail services in each country, but many independent companies offer tickets valid for train travel all across Europe. Two such companies are Eurail and Rail Europe.
When you think about spectacular fall foliage, you probably think New England, but other parts of the United States put on impressive autumn shows as well. The best way to take in fall scenery is by train, where the train's access to remote areas and the absence of billboards and fast-food restaurants will make the experience more enjoyable.
Christmas is a time of year when many families either stay at home to celebrate or travel to visit others. The holidays are really a time for everyone to be together, but it isn't necessary that you do so in your own home. Christmas can be a great time for your family to get away on a vacation. Usually the kids have off from school, and the cost of going away in the winter can be dramatically less than traveling in the summer.
The temperature of dry ice is -110 degrees Fahrenheit; it is nothing more than frozen carbon dioxide. Dry ice on a camping trip can last a long time, keeping food frozen or cold, retarding food spoilage. Grocery stores typically stock dry ice in various sizes. Packing the cooler first and picking up the dry ice on the way to the campsite is the best way to make sure the ice will last for days.
The Channel Tunnel, popularly known by the portmanteau "Chunnel," is a passage carved under the English Channel that connects the coasts of France and England. Tunnel transit is highly regulated, and two forms of transport are available to individual travelers. They may travel through the Chunnel by riding a passenger train or by being carried in their own cars on a vehicle shuttle train. Rail fares are administered by Eurostar, and the vehicle shuttle operates under the name Eurotunnel.
You can enjoy a trip -- long or short -- on a relatively small budget if you plan adequately. Use your budget to come up with creative travel location ideas. Sometimes by choosing lesser known or inexpensive venues, you may have a more relaxing experience. Plan trips that allow you to explore places that you've never been within your own state or even in neighboring states.
By the late 19th century, railroads had become the only efficient way to transport large amounts of supplies and commercial products over land in the western U.S. With varying landscapes that included deep canyons, thick forests and raging rivers, trains crossed these obstacles by the use of rail bridges. Many of these bridges still stand as modern marvels of design and these are the top five highest train bridges in the country.
The Manunka Chunk train tunnels were part of the old Lackawanna route taken by freight trains going from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Hoboken, New Jersey, and back. The Manunka Chunk tunnel was known as a particularly hazardous part of the trail as it often flooded and was not wide enough for many of the latest trains of the day. The tunnel is located near the the town of Belvidere in northwestern New Jersey. Getting there is easy but involves driving and a little hiking.
Trains have been romanticized since the first steam locomotive, "Tom Thumb," pulled a carload of passengers in 1830. Once the preferred mode of transportation, trains were rarely chosen for passenger travel by the 1960s; individuals opted instead for airplanes and automobiles. The environment suffered and roads became congested. Rail transportation was revitalized with the advent of Amtrak in 1970.
Amtrak is a government-owned business, headquartered in Washington D.C., that provides passenger train service across the United States. The corporation was founded in 1971 and provides train service over 21,000 miles of track. The Amtrak Guest Rewards program rewards members who frequently use the train service. For each ride taken, members earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards, hotel, car and travel rewards. If you no longer wish to use your Amtrak Guest Rewards account, you can cancel it at any time.
If you are planning to travel by train in the United States, you are limited to one choice, Amtrak. With no competition, opportunities for discounted train tickets are limited. However, check frequently for special deals and take advantage of discounted fares for people in certain categories.
It used to be the only way you could get a train ticket was to go through Amtrak by phone or in person. That has changed with the advent of the Internet and other sites where train travel is offered. Finding a train ticket is easier than it was in the past, and you may even save some money in the process if you find the right Web site. Pocket that money and have a good vacation, thanks to these tips.
An organized traveler often has a better trip than a more casual traveler. Domestic train travel is not as burdensome as overseas travel, but a definite schedule is adhered to. Train travel gives you some flexibility, as you can catch the next train easier than you can catch the next plane. Trains have competitive pricing, are more comfortable than a plane, and an ambiance exists in train travel that planes just don't have.
Depending on where you live in the country, traveling to Disney World by train can be a hassle-free alternative to driving or flying, or it can be an expensive, time-consuming journey. You can reach Orlando in Florida by train from most parts of the United States.
Railway reservations are available to check online. Rail travel in the United States is provided by Amtrak which is officially named the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Amtrak operates 265 trains per day which service over 500 stations on over 22,000 miles of track. Reservations with Amtrak are now available to check online as well as by phone. If you are traveling overseas train reservations must be checked with each individual rail line and cannot be accessed through online rail ticket brokers.
The Total Operations Processing System (TOPS) classification is a computerized numbering system used by British railways that dates back to the early 1970s. TOPS helped to identify the different types of rail cars that include locomotives and every type of coach car. It divides them into the categories of electric or diesel with differentiation between their hauling power and capacities. It replaced the older number system that was created in 1957.
Children often enjoy having the opportunity to experience new modes of travel and transportation. They can get bored and restless, however, when faced with having to sit still for a prolonged time. This can be particularly bothersome when you are traveling on trains, surrounded by other passengers. There are a variety of ways in which you can travel on trains with kids, making it an enjoyable experience for all.
Tunnels can be long, wide or deep, and can be above ground allowing trains to tunnel through mountainous regions, or deep underground when used for mining. Some tunnels cross wide expanses of water while others such as subway tunnels transport thousands of individuals each day, crisscrossing through miles just below the ground.
US Airways a major American airline that operates over 3,200 flights every day. The airline was started in 1939 as All American Aviation and is a member of the Star Alliance partner group. Special meals are available in all classes of service to all destinations with US Airways, but there are certain guidelines which must be followed to ensure the meal you order is ready for you.
Amtrak is the government operator of all long-distance passenger rail service across the United States. Amtrak runs 265 trains per day and services more than 500 stations nationwide, The Amtrak Auto Train is a specialized passenger train with vehicle storage capabilities that runs from just outside Washington, D.C. (Lorton, Virginia), to just outside Orlando (Sanford, Florida). The train carries cars and their owners the 900 miles up and down the Interstate 95 corridor and is an easy way to shorten the drive from the Northeast to the Southeast.
For many, the beauty of travel is in the act of traveling itself and not the destination. Robert Louis Stevenson, author of "Treasure Island," among many other classic novels, famously said: "I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." His words can be seamlessly applied to some of the train journeys on offer in the United States, which traverse changing landscapes of outstanding beauty.
Amtrak operates all long distance train service in the United States carrying more than 28 million passengers in 2010 alone. Amtrak does not offer the entertainment options you may expect from commercial airlines, but the there are many on-board activities you can partake in to help the time pass and a few you can bring with you.
Serving hundreds of cities in more than 45 American states, government-run Amtrak (amtrak.com) is a national train service that allows passengers to trade speed for fresh air, interstate scenery and affordability. Sometimes, due to the Amtrak's available schedule or other more specific preferences, people need to find other means to travel. Popular alternatives to Amtrak typically involve taking other transport options, usually by land or air. Generally, most of these options are operations that are localized in particular states and regions.
Traveling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Jose International Airport (SJC) via public transportation is relatively easy due to the variety of public transportation services in the Bay Area. In addition, excellent trip planning resources are available from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission that tie each of the different companies and schedules together, providing a clear plan on how to get around.
Amtrak operates all train travel within the United States except for local commuter and light rail services. Many times seats sell out on popular routes so reserving a ticket online ahead of time, can be essential to making the train. Reserving a seat online can also ensure you get the class of service you desire and the rate you expect.
Railroads are a historic part of America that still hold fascination in the eyes of many children. Across the nation, local railways offer exciting opportunities for kids to board a train for a day-long excursion. Most of these rides are through scenic areas and include a small layover in another town for sightseeing. Kids will be wide-eyed as they see the engine, hear the choo-choo of the whistle, and experience the excitement of riding a train.
