Who I Am

My name is Andy Brabin and I’m the founder of DiscoverByRail. I’ve spent much of my life travelling the globe by train, and that interest has shaped both my professional path and my outlook on the world. A fascination that began in childhood has grown into a long career in the rail industry, and I now draw on that experience to help others enjoy the experience of travelling by rail through DiscoverByRail.

Andy in front of a train in Finland. ©DiscoverByRail

I grew up close to the railway in Bolton in the United Kingdom and was surrounded by family members who worked in the industry, so trains became a natural part of my early life. Those first encounters sparked a lasting interest that later influenced my career decisions. After college, and following a placement with Transport for London, I joined STA Travel, where I played a role in broadening their rail offering. It was during this time that I realised how valuable train travel could be for independent travellers seeking a different way to explore.

A move into the online travel industry a few years later opened my eyes to a gap in the market. I saw that individual travellers often struggled to access thoughtfully planned rail holidays, so I founded Railbookers and spent more than a decade shaping it into a well-known name in the sector. Product development took me around the world on a regular basis, allowing me to research train itineraries, different products, and try out new ideas and gain insight into what makes a rail journey truly memorable.

These days, through DiscoverByRail and several related ventures, I focus on creating personalised rail itineraries, providing consultancy on rail tourism and supporting travel companies with their ticketing needs. I also share my travel experiences on my AndyBTravels blog, along with insights into the rail industry and railways around the world on the AndyBTravels Substack.

I also continue to work towards my #AllTheLinesEurope and #AllTheLinesAsia projects, aiming to travel every scheduled passenger line across both continents, and in Europe I have already covered more than 99% of the network.

Having travelled in more than 75 countries by rail and visited over 170 nations worldwide, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the way train journeys reveal the character of a place. Whether it’s the gentle rhythm of the tracks, unexpected conversations with fellow travellers, or the ever-changing scenery passing by, train journeys offer a perspective unlike any other. I take great pleasure in sharing my train travel adventures and insider knowledge, inviting others to experience the unique magic and joy of exploring the world by rail.

Andy's favourite train routes:

1. Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano, Switzerland,
2. Belgrade to Bar, Serbia/Montenegro
3. Lhasa to Xian, China
4. The Canadian Toronto to Vancouver, Canada
5. Salzburg to Villach, Austria
6. Leeds to Carlisle, UK
7. Kalka to Shimla, India
8. Circle Line in Yangon, Myanmar

One of my most unusual journeys took me from Pyongyang, North Korea, to London, passing through China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany and Belgium, before finally returning on the Eurostar. I couldn’t help but hope the passenger next to me would ask where I’d travelled from..

Andy in front of the Venice-Simplon Orient Express. ©DiscoverByRail

Andy's favourite luxury trains:

1. Rovos Rail from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, to Gaborone, Botswana
2. Eastern and Oriental from Singapore to Bangkok, Thailand
3. Indian luxury trains (I love travelling in India and have enjoyed 4 out of the 5 Indian luxury trains; Maharajas Express, Golden Chariot, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey – I still have to travel on the Palace on Wheels!)

Contact Andy

You can reach me directly through the contact form on this page.