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Train with a Real Soul
From the Pony Express to telegrams to email. From feather pens to Remingtons to laptops. Most consider such evolutions progress. But when it comes to travel, there are some things best left unchanged. Train travel is at the top of that list. During the first half of the previous century, long before the age of private jets that rival luxury boutique hotels, presidents, tycoons and society’s crème de la crème journeyed with their feet planted firmly (relatively speaking) on the ground. Gone may be the days when railroads were their own meandering kingdoms, and railroad barons their undisputed kings, but nostalgic globetrotters will be happy to know that there is a small principality that is graciously preserving the tradition of private, exclusive rail travel.
Rail Ventures is the inspiration of its president, John Kirkwood, whose grandfather was on the board of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Kirkwood recalled spending time on the cars with his grandfather when he was a child, and it was these memories that served as the catalyst for his refurbishment of four magnificent Pullman rail cars from the 1940s and ‘50s. These historic trains are truly a labor of love for Kirkwood, who had each one pulled apart and completely refurbished, from mechanics to aesthetics. Each restoration took up to two years and 25,000 hours of man power. The result of such care shows in the details, such as gleaming teak and mahogany accented with polished brass. Among the fleet of distinctive cars that roam the rails of North America is the Yerba Buena (a traditional business car with diner, lounge and sleeper), the Glacier Park (a dome lounge dining and observation car) and Gallatin River (a sleeper car). We had the pleasure of traveling on the four-bedroom Bella Vista, a dome sleeper and diner. This car first caught Kirkwood’s eye in 1965, and his attachment to it paid off. He purchased it and had it completely rebuilt just after the turn of the millennium.
Rail
Ventures’ commitment to the Golden Age of Travel does
not stop with the décor. The cars are staffed with
private stewards and personal chefs; the latter are also the
highest ranking officers on board. Offered singly or in combination
anywhere in the U.S. and Canada served by Amtrak and Via Rail,
the cars are available only for customized private charters.
(During the summer, people can purchase Perhaps
you’d like to take your clients to the Super Bowl, want
a unique venue for a family reunion or need something special
for an on board meeting. Whatever your excursion, you’ll
enjoy the services of a concierge, who will help you plan
your journey. In a day and age when travel means getting from
point A to point B as quickly as possible, be prepared for
a slower pace. It takes up to six months to simply develop
your itinerary and prepare your trip so that it meets your
needs. And once on board, the objective is clear: relax, indulge
and enjoy the scenery as it passes by along the way. Call 888-533-7245 or visit www.railventures.com.
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72 HOURS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
America's capital city might have started out a swamp, but now it's a destination for tourists and heads of state alike. Whether you're here to inspect the Constitution or to check out artifacts from the first Apollo mission, we'll help you fit it all in.BUSINESS IN SEATTLE
Once a relatively isolated provincial town, Seattle is now recognized worldwide as the home of high-tech and as a gateway to Asian trade centers. From the charm of its 100-year-old Pike Place Market to its striking steel-and-glass central library, the city lures many a business visitor back as a tourist.
