Huge Delays in Pakistan as Rail Workers Strike

LAHORE: Trains from Lahore were delayed for up to eight hours on Tuesday as Pakistan Railways (PR) workers, in a protest against the non-payment of their salaries, refused to let locomotives out of their shed.
Train services resumed later after the workers were paid and they stopped their protest, but not before thousands of passengers spent hours stranded at Lahore Railway Station. Many had been planning journeys home for the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi holiday. The protest lasted around eight hours.
Pakistan Railways, like several other public departments, is under severe financial constraints at present. There were small-scale protests at the beginning of February after pensioners did not get their monthly cheques.

On Tuesday, railway shed workers surrounded the Mughalpura locomotives shed, which housed 32 engines. As a result, the Karakoram Express, Allama Iqbal Express, Tez Gam Express, Rail Car to Rawalpindi, Farid Express, Night Coach to Karachi and others were unable to depart Lahore. Meanwhile, the city railway station filled up with passengers anxiously awaiting news of their trains.
The head of the Railways Workers Union (RWU) told The Express Tribune the protest was related to the upcoming Eid-e-Milad holiday. “We were scheduled to get our salaries today [Tuesday],” said RWU president Sarfaraz Khan. “We are religious people and we need money for the holiday. We cannot celebrate without our salaries.”
Khan said the union was not insensitive to the needs of passengers headed home for the holiday, but that they had little choice. “Our members are poor people. They don’t have money to feed their families. If the distribution of salaries had started on the 12th there would not be this problem. There are some PR officials who are always trying to create disturbances in railway operations.”
A PR spokesman said that the due date for the salaries of these employees was between the 15th and 22nd of every month. “If workers do not get their salaries today [Tuesday] they will get them on Thursday after the holiday,” he said. “It’s routine practice.”
PR officials tried to resolve the protest by offering to pay half the salaries of the shed employees. Workers said they had been offered Rs6 million, but the total salaries came to Rs12 million.
They refused to stop the protest. After further negotiations, PR divisional superintendent Abdul Jabbar had the workers paid their full salaries. The locomotives were allowed out of the shed and the delayed trains set off, but not before the holidays of thousands of passengers had been ruined.

Romantic Train Journeys - Switzerland

When you think about the most romantic mode of transportation, what comes to mind? Cars take concentration. Bus rides are too busy. Cruises only deliver you to ports reachable by water. Trains, though, are a terrific way for couples to travel. 

 

Seated side by side, you get to view magnificent scenery through your window. There's time to kiss. Sleep. Dream. Whether you board a scenic train, an overnight train, or even scenic commuter trains, you're likely to find such rides great fun for two.

Swiss Train Rides

 

The country best known for its clean, modern, on-time trains, Switzerland offers visitors an incomparable way to experience the countryside. Couples you can go from point to point at their leisure or speedily. In fact, vacationers in Switzerland can ride from mountain top to balmy beach by train in less than two hours. Imagine skiing in the morning at Engelberg, attending the Zurich Opera at night, and leaving the details to the highly efficient and dependable
Swiss Travel System?
Swiss train stations, staffed by multi-lingual personnel, function as service centers complete with currency exchanges, luggage-storage facilities, and bicycle rentals.

More Brits use high-speed rail to reach luxury villa holidays

More and more Brits are opting for high-speed rail travel as their chosen transport for summer holidays.

Ideal for villa holidays in France, high-speed rail now has the highest number of UK passengers since the 1920s, according to the Association of Train Operator Companies (ATOC).

ATOC member Eurostar has seen passenger numbers double over the last 30 years.

Last year, the travel company had 9.5 million passengers, travelling to a range of European destinations including Lille, Paris and Nice.

Brits planning luxury villa holidays in France this year can travel to a range of French cities with Eurostar.

Recent research by the rail company revealed that 97 per cent of respondents believe Eurostar's services have brought the UK closer to France and Belgium in terms of social and cultural exchanges.

Travellers currently have the opportunity to win free rail tickets as part of a new social media campaign launched by the company.

To enter, passengers have to upload a video of themselves explaining why they want to visit a Eurostar destination, before asking people to vote online for their entries.

European Train Journeys

No matter what your basis on traveling by train, the bottom line is that you are no longer limited to one or two choices, in fact you can deciede for yourself regarding the comfort and convenience while on your trip. The railway services in Europe have done a great job updating their trains including all the on board features that provide guaranteed satisfaction for passengers. The establishment of more lines has virtually made difficulties like transferring from one train to another obsolete. Train Travel has been the favored form of  land transportation for  many years now because train travel suggests more enjoyable and exciting ways to travel.

So if you plan to take train for your next trip, whether it is intended for business or leisure , basically, the total package of enjoyment and many additional benefits are entirely obtainable, most especially if you are passing through places with myriad picturesque landscapes. On European train routes, for instance,  there is an abundance of scenic routes to choice from, and various class options to enjoy.

In a world full of excellent train routes, Europe is still the pinnacle.  Travelers are spoilt for choice, one can be  passing through the glaciers and Alpine sceneries in Switzerland or through the West Highlands of Scotland; equally outstanding a train journey through France reveals beautiful churches, French villages and eye-catching views. Not to be out done, Spain offers some fantastic rail journeys of its own,  the most  popular  being in and around Madrid.

Isn't time you experienced first hand the relaxation and comfort of your very own Rail Journey? TrainTickets.co is on hand for all your booking needs.

The Blue Train Magic

The Blue Train has an aura of mystique about it. Kings and presidents have travelled on this magnificent moving five-star hotel. Its very name has become synonymous with the ultimate in luxury and personal service.
The routes of The Blue Train - both scheduled and chartered - take guests through some of the most breathtaking countryside to be found anywhere in the world.

As the ever-changing scenery flashes past the windows, guests can savour exquisite meals freshly prepared on board by top chefs. Our meals are complemented by the best wines South Africa has to offer.
The suites on The Blue Train live up to its reputation for magnificence and splendour. The finest bed linen, marble tiles and gold fittings in the bathrooms and sheer opulence all ensure that guests will never forget the time they spend on The Blue Train.
When you choose to travel on The Blue Train, you choose to travel in a world of grace, elegance and romance.

India - Palace on Wheels

Do you imagine what it is like to wander in the course of the Rajputs’ majestic empires? How about seeing the gorgeous-looking sights of the spectacular Taj Mahal? These two and many more Indian expeditions will be possible with a trip with Palace on Wheels.
Each country had been prosperous in a variety of aspects during the year 2010. India would not allow itself to fall last in a race since 2010 had also been equally thriving for their country. As a matter of fact, 2010 is considered to be the most glorious year in India‘s tourism.
There were a lot of people from foreign lands who have come to visit since India was the host country for the massive yearly occasion, which was the 2010 Commonwealth Games. But most important of all the year’s accomplishments, Indian tourism truly hit the highest mark when they launched the new features of their globally acknowledged Palace on Wheels.

In 2010, Palace on Wheels unleashed the most up-to-date amenities of this exceedingly popular train. Aside from the world-class services, the train also offers satellite televisions on each of the cabins. In addition, the developers of the Palace on Wheels made sure that their passengers would enjoy their ride as they also provide an access to internet connection. And, there is also a spa located on each of the train’s cabins. Indian Memoirz, which is the only travel agency that offers Palace on Wheels package, introduced their promo so as to advance the already booming extravagance-centered tourism in India.
There are other luxury trains that exist worldwide but Palace on Wheels found its way to the fourth position in the list of the ten most elegant trains. Based on the country’s history, this majestic Indian-based train was established for the purpose of easing the voyage of the royalties in India, specifically the kings of the Rajput kingdom. Moreover, this royal train also took part in serving the high-ranked officials like the Nizams of Hyderabad, leaders of Gujrat, and British India’s Vice-Roy.
The present lavishness of this luxury train may be dated back to the time when this fourteen-coached train was adequately resourced with almost all types of treats of the modern times. And, at a suitable period of time, the train underwent improvements that it was incorporated with highly-advanced and bizarre services.
The journey begins at Delhi and Palace on Wheels will take the tourists to various tourist spots during the trip, which has a length of seven days and eight nights. The route consists of passing through the center of the Rajasthan and other astonishing sites such as Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bharatpur, and Chittorgarh. And, the last stop would be the love’s solid embodiment, Taj Mahal, which is located in Agra. The magnificent trip is brought to a conclusion after the Palace on Wheels’ have its quick stopover at Taj Mahal and when the passengers are then returned to the journey’s starting point, Delhi.

Visit the charming mountain resort town of Whistler by Rail

Canada rail holidays are a great way to experience this exciting country, which combines stunning scenery with friendly locals and vibrant cities. And by taking trips on the famous Rocky Mountaineer, you can visit the gorgeous town of Whistler - famous for being the perfect year-round destination.

By opting for tailor made rail holidays over other forms of travel, you can enjoy the romance of the railway and venture across historic routes, seeing some of Canada's most famous sights.
Starting your journey in Vancouver, you will have time to explore this exciting city before setting off on your first rail adventure. One of the best places to visit while you are there is the Gastown, which is home to restored Victorian buildings that are a delight to explore.
Making your way to north Vancouver by crossing Lions Gate Bridge, you can visit one of the city's most famous sights - the Capilano Suspension Bridge. This fantastic feat of engineering spans a dramatic gorge sitting on the edge of the Canadian wilderness - and is an absolute must-see during your trip.
And while you're in the area, don't forget to explore a little more and discover its fascinating museums and excellent shopping facilities.
Meanwhile, you may be particularly interested in the Vancouver Aquarium if you are travelling with children, who will undoubtedly love seeing the dolphins, sea otters and other marine life it is home to.
Departing Vancouver, you will board the famous Rocky Mountaineer for the first time to begin your railroad odyssey. Travelling past the British Columbia Mountains on one side and the sea on the other, you will find no shortage of amazing sights during your journey.
Arriving in Whistler in the early afternoon, you can set about exploring this world-renowned resort, which achieved new heights of fame when it co-hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010.
It is known for being a fantastic destination no matter what time of year you visit, making it the perfect place to stop on any break. Whether you want to take escorted tours of the area, walk in the mountains or simply explore the local village, you will find something to occupy your interest at every turn.
Those keen to see the very best views of the region can board the gondola, which will take you some 6,000ft above sea level - sure to be a highlight of any Whistler trip.
Once you've finished exploring the Alpine delights of Whistler, you can climb back aboard the Rocky Mountaineer to see some more of Canada's top sights. Chugging past the beautiful Anderson and Seton Lakes, the train will carry you alongside the powerful Fraser River, which flows through the Rockies all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Spending the night in Quesnel, you will board the train once more in the morning to travel to your next destination - Jasper National Park. During your journey you will pass the highest point in the Rockies, Mount Robson. This towering peak reaches up a staggering 12,972 ft.
Arriving in Jasper National Park, you will be able to see an incredible range of sights and animals, such as elk and bighorn sheep. Some of the park's most beautiful attractions include the glacier-fed Maligne Lake, which is widely considered one of the most picturesque spots to be seen here.
Sharing its name is Maligne Canyon, which is also something of a must-see, this huge gorge is 150 ft deep and is home to fascinating formations of rock, as well as pretty waterfalls.
Leaving the park, you can travel along the well-known Icefields Parkway, famous for its glimmering turquoise lakes which reflect the gorgeous mountains above. Don't miss the chance to stop off at the Columbia Icefield en route, while you can speed on to the glacier itself on a giant snowmobile if you wish.
Your penultimate stop will be Banff, where you can sample the delights of the local hot springs and learn something of their history. The Upper Hot Spring is constantly at between 37 and 40 degrees C, making it a wonderful option for those keen to relax in beautiful surroundings.
And once you have finished exploring all that Banff has to offer, you can travel to Calgary to bid Canada a fond farewell and board your flight home.