My name is Andy Brabin and I am a well travelled train geek who loves to share his passion for travelling by train to explore the world. To date I have visited 176 countries and travelled by train in 75 of them, from South Georgia (NOT the US one!) to Narvik and all points between.
I founded the award winning Railbookers in 2003 and through my 13 years there deepened my knowledge of all things rail and train.
I travel on average twice a month exploring the world and travelling by train giving me first-hand experience of what is on offer and how to make the most of the trips.
What are my favourite rail experiences:
Private Trains
- Rovos Rail from Dar Es Salam to Gaborone
- Eastern and Oriental from Singapore to Bangkok
- 4 of the 5 Indian trains; Maharajas Express, Golden Chariot, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey – still to travel on the Palace on Wheels. I love travelling in India.
Train routes:
- Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano
- Belgrade to Bar
- Lhasa to Xian
- The Canadian
- Salzburg to Villach
- Leeds to Carlisle
- Kalka to Shimla
- Circle Line in Yangon
In fact, I enjoy journeys for their own sake as travelling by train gives you an insight to a country through the people you meet on board and the sights and smells (!) you experience.
Most unusual trip, Pyongyang to London via China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium and finally Eurostar back to London! I so wanted the person sat next to me on Eurostar to ask where I had come from…
Where next….anywhere by train!