2017 - TM Great Rail Journeys

61 61 Discover USA Discover the authentic essence of this vast and diverse continent Whether you're following the tracks of the San Joaquin route through California's Central Valley or discovering the spiritual home of the Blues along the Mississippi delta, the train provides the ideal viewpoint, making each journey both a contrast and a highlight. ICONIC CITIES The USA's cities are all amazing and each has its own character, style and appeal. In New York, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square and the Empire State Building are iconic sites. In Chicago, neo-gothic skyscrapers dominate the skyline, whilst at ground level, the modern sculpture, known fondly as 'the bean', has become a symbol of the 'Windy City'. Los Angeles glitters with Hollywood glamour, whilst San Francisco's hilly streets lead down to its beautiful bay famous for The Golden Gate Bridge and the prison-island of Alcatraz. In the desert city of Las Vegas, the neon-lit Strip is where all the action happens. NATURAL WONDERS To stand on the rim of The Grand Canyon is an exhilarating experience that every traveller should aspire to. It's a breathtaking testament to the power of nature and the forces of creation. The sandstone formations in Monument Valley in Utah are equally impressive, as are the Niagara Falls in New York state. The natural wonders of the USA can be found in every state. THE GOLDEN WEST Ever since the words 'Go West Young Man' were first uttered, the west has become symbolic for the pursuit of adventure and prosperity. Crossing vast tracts of wild terrain including the Mojave Desert, Yosemite National Park, and through Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California – the West is still a beacon for adventure and perfect to explore by rail. THE MUSICAL SOUTH It is claimed that the Blues spread along the rail route from Memphis to New Orleans more than a century ago. Embark on your own musical journey through the southern states of Tennessee, Louisiana and Georgia. Visit the capital of Country music, Nashville, home of the Grand Ole Opry and The Johnny Cash Experience. Be sure to take time out in Memphis where you will find the famous Sun Studios and Elvis Presley's home Graceland. ENGINEERING FEATS Marvel at the incredible scale of the Hoover Dam built during the Great Depression. San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge was once the world's longest suspension bridge and remains the world's most photographed. Railway building and engineering feats have always been synonymous. Chattanooga's Lookout Mountain Railway built in 1895 is known as the world's steepest passenger railway. Other engineering feats are evident across the USA with bridges, tunnels and cuttings enabling the rail network to traverse the vast and difficult terrain.

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