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Glacier Express, Switzerland - This train connects Zermatt and St. Moritz in the Swiss Alps. The incredible journey takes around eight hours.

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Glacier Express, Switzerland - The train ride offers incredible views of the Swiss Alps, with views of viaducts and spiral tunnels.

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The Flåm Line, Norway - This railway line runs between Myrdal and Flåm in Aurland, Norway. There are 11 stations along the line.

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The Flåm Line, Norway - The Flåm Line winds around Aurlandsfjord, a fjord in Sogn og Fjordane county.

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West Highland Line, Scotland - Also known as the "Iron Road to the Isles," this railway line affords passengers perfect views of the dramatic Scottish Highlands. 

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West Highland Line, Scotland - The line and its historic viaduct is also famed for appearing in the 'Harry Potter' film series. It runs between Mallaig and Oban. 

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Semmering railway, Austria - Catch some beautiful views of western Austria on this railway line. It is known as the first railway listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Semmering railway, Austria - The railway runs through 15 tunnels and over 16 viaducts. The train service has it all: showers, snack trolleys, and entertainment for children.

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Rocky Mountaineer, Canada and USA - This renowned rail tour has different routes that run through the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, as well as the US state of Washington.

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Rocky Mountaineer, Canada and USA -

There are many exciting route options connecting several cities. Pictured is the train on Morant's Curve near Lake Louise, Alberta.

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Aurora Winter Train, USA - This amazing train runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks, in Alaska. The 12-hour journey is a spectacular way of  taking in the Alaska scenery. As the name suggests, the train only runs in winter. 

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Aurora Winter Train, USA -

Hurricane Gorge is the most impressive bridge on the Alaska Railroad, view Aurora train passengers can marvel at en route. 

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Bernina Express, Switzerland and Italy - The Bernina Express connects the Swiss towns of Chur and Poschiavo via the Albula Line. 

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Bernina Express, Switzerland and Italy - The Bernina Line takes you from Poschiavo to the town of Tirano, in Italy. The train runs along the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes.

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GoldenPass, Switzerland - The GoldenPass Line snakes between the cities of Lucerne and Montreux. The journey is wonderfully picturesque, with jaw-dropping views of the Swiss countryside seen either side of the carriages. 

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GoldenPass, Switzerland -

This train, which departs everyday and winds through several Swiss cantons, takes five hours to complete its journey.

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Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, USA -

Also known as the GSM, this freight and heritage railroad is located in western North Carolina.

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Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, USA - The locomotive departs from Bryson City, with tourist excursions running year-round through the Great Smoky Mountains. 

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Pike's Peak Cog Railway, USA - Based in El Paso County in Colorado, this cherished line began operations in 1889. The railway is the highest in North America.  

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Pikes Peak Cog Railway, USA -

The 14-km (9-mi) journey starts low in the Pike National Forest and carries you all the way up to Pikes Peak where you can enjoy spectacular views. 

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Coast Starlight West Coast Train, USA -

If you're traveling in America and fancy exploring the West Coast opt for this train adventure, which runs from Seattle to Los Angeles.

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Coast Starlight West Coast Train Adventure, USA -

The 2,216-km (1,377-mi) journey takes nearly 35 hours to complete. Besides stunning scenery, there's plenty of onboard entertainment to keep passengers occupied.

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Grand Canyon Railway, USA -

This heritage railroad takes passengers from the city of Williams in Arizona, to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

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Grand Canyon Railway, USA -

In operation for more than 100 years, the locomotive and its cars travel along a 103-km (64-mi) track through some beautiful landscapes.

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The Bergensbanen, Norway - The Oslo to Bergan lines runs for 495 km (308 mi) through some of Europe's most breathtaking but inhospitable terrain. 

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The Bergensbanen, Norway - The route takes in the Hardangervidda plateau, 1,237 m (4,058 ft) above sea level.

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Tadami Railway Line, Japan - Autumn and winter are two rewarding seasons in which to enjoy this journey, which connects Fukushima with Niigata. Pictured is the dramatic Tadamigawa Bridge No. 1.   

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Tadami Railway Line, Japan - The 133-km (83-mi) trip snakes through deep forest valleys and skirts lakes and rivers. 

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Circum-Baikal Railway, Russia -

This historic railway runs along the northern shore of the southern end of Lake Baikal.

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Circum-Baikal Railway, Russia, - The track was once part of the mighty Trans-Siberian Railway. Today it operates as an independent railway. Pictured: a sign marking the beginning of the Circum-Baikal Railway. 

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Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia -

One of the most famous railway lines in the world, the Trans-Siberian Railway (TSR) is also the longest, at 9,289 km (5,772 mi). If you can afford it, travel in style on one of the private Golden Eagle luxury trains.

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Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia -

The TSR connects Moscow with Vladivostok, with connecting branch lines into Mongolia, China, and North Korea. Pictured: locomotive P-36, used by the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express.

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Jungfrau Railway, Switzerland -

Want to reach Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe? Take the train that departs Kleine Scheidegg.

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Jungfrau Railway, Switzerland -

Much of the railway runs within the Jungfrau Tunnel. But the initial section is open-air, and the Alpine landscape in mind-blowing. Pictured: Kleine Scheidegg railway station with the Eigernordwand in the background.

See also: Destinations that are even more beautiful in winter.

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