Travel writers rate top 10 train rides
From Rob Newhouse
From www.utu.org
CHICAGO - This interesting bit of news popped up in my email today. It's about the best train rides in the world, as determined by the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), according to Lori Racki of the Chicago Sun Times.
Do you agree with the the travel writers' opinions on top train journeys? Any epic rail travel that should have made the list but didn't?
Listed in order of votes with comments from SATW writers are the world's "Top 10" train rides:
1. The Rocky Mountaineer offers spectacular two-day journeys through the Canadian Rocky Mountains from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper. "The Rocky Mountaineer is humbling travel - both for the monumental landscapes it slices through and the appreciation of the workers who risked - and sometimes gave - their lives to build it." Betsa Marsh, freelance travel writer
2. The Glacier Express is the famous Swiss mountain railway from St. Moritz to Zermatt, a 7.5 hour railway journey that crosses 291 bridges and burrows through 91 tunnels. "Take the Glacier Express in winter - you will pass by skiers, people playing golf in the snow and spectacular alpine settings." James O'Reilly, publisher, Traveler's Tales
3. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad winds through rugged canyons in the remote wilderness of Colorado's two-million-acre San Juan National Forest. The narrow-gauge train is pulled by a coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive along the same tracks traveled over a century ago by miners, cowboys and settlers of the Old West.
4. The Bernina Express from Chur, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy, makes the highest rail crossing of the Alps, passing from icy glaciers to palm-shaded piazzas in just a few hours. It crosses 196 bridges and passes through 55 tunnels, while winding around countless spectacular switchbacks. You can take the scenic stretch from St. Moritz to Tirano for lunch in Italy in just three hours. "The Bernina Express takes your breath away before dropping you off in the marvelous little Italian village of Tirano," Stan Wawer, travel writer
5. Peru Rail, Cusco to Machu Picchu, carries passengers on a spectacular journey through the high Andes. There are three levels of service, from backpacker trains to Vistadome cars to the luxurious blue and gold Hiram Bingham train, named in honor of Hiram Bingham, the explorer who discovered the Inca citadel in 1911.
The train passes by lush green fields and colorful villages in the foothills of the Andes and climbs along the Urubamba River through a dramatic canyon before reaching Machu Picchu. "On the train from Cusco to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, it's easy to feel you're traveling into a mystery as you roll past secluded farms, squeeze between rugged mountains and, on my trip, become enveloped by low brooding dark clouds." Susan Farlow, freelance travel writer
6. The Coastal Classic Train on the Alaska Railroad winds through the wilderness between Anchorage and Seward. Massive glaciers are visible from the track as the train climbs into the Kenai Mountains and travels to the shores of Resurrection Bay for convenient connection to Kenai Fjords National Park, offering whale watching, sea kayaking, tidewater glacier viewing, fishing, and dog sled rides.
7. The Royal Scotsman rolls through the ever-changing landscapes of sweeping glens, towering peaks and mirror-calm lochs as the train weaves through wild countryside and along virgin stretches of coast on two to seven night journeys in the Scottish highlands. "Ancient castles. Misty moors. Stark cliffs, covered in black shadows from the clouds. Lochs. Chimneys sticking out of thatched roofs. And Rob Roy and Braveheart waiting beyond every turn." Steve Winston, freelance travel writer
8. The Whistler Mountaineer in Canada is a three-hour ride along the magnificent coast of British Columbia, from Vancouver to Whistler, famous for its views of cities, old-growth forests, deep valleys, snowcapped peaks and seascapes.
9. Mexico's El Chepe ventures into the imposing landscapes of the Sierra Tarahumara and into Mexico's famed Copper Canyon, passing through 87 tunnels and crossing 37 bridges. The Copper Canyon is four times the size of the Grand Canyon - and deeper. "Mexico's Chepe train from Los Mochis to Copper Canyon has it all: tall bridges crossing rivers, dozens of tunnels, a winding track that climbs high out of the canyon and, waiting for you at the end, the fascinating indigenous Tarahumara people." Eric Lindberg, freelance travel writer/photographer
10. The Flam Railway is regarded as one of the highlights of the "Norway in a Nutshell" tour. The 20-km-long train journey from the mountain station of Myrdal down to Flam, beside a fjord, takes 55 minutes. On the journey, you have views of some of the most magnificent mountain scenery in Norway with a panorama of tall mountains and cascading waterfalls. The train moves slowly or stops at the best views. "The Norway in a Nutshell ride fulfills its clever name, and stopping to let passengers take pictures is a real plus." Bob Jenkins, freelance travel writer.
(This item appeared in the Chicago Sun Times June 18, 2009.)
Posted in News on 06.27.2009 9:17am
FRA Hours of Service Document link
From Rob Newhouse
Copy and paste this link into your browser... you may need Adobe Reader if you don't already have it installed.
http://www.utu.org/worksite/PDFs/HS_Interps_2009_15026.pdf
It's dry reading but there is alot of info that we need to know about the new hours of service law that goes into effect July 16th 2009.
Posted in News on 06.27.2009 7:59am
Furloughed Employees
From Rob Newhouse
With some of our furloughed employees getting called back recently and more likely to come soon...
REMEMBER!
If you are called back by the carrier you have 15 days to report back. If you do not report back within the 15 days your seniority will be forfeit.
Posted in News on 06.18.2009 7:59am
THE BRAKEMEN'S REGISTER.
From Rob Newhouse
The United Transportation Union Minnesota Legislative Board (UTU), is accepting and forwarding names of furloughed members who are trying to pick up side work to make ends meet. Please forward this listing to UTU Local e-mail lists, and print and post for our UTU bulletin boards. If you have work at your home or business that you needs to get done or you have friends and family with service needs or projects to be completed, please give one of our UTU furloughed members a call today.
NOTE: Listings on the Brakemen's Register are strictly voluntary. All UTU members are expected comply with all United States Railroad Retirement Board requirements for complete and accurate claim reporting. The UTU makes no endorsement, implied warranty orreporting of a member's quality of work. The UTU makes no reporting ofa furloughed member's actual employment. If requested, our re-employed UTU member's names can be forwarded to union shops or AFL-CIO affiliates for training and membership application.
If you are a UTU member who wants to be listed on the Brakemen's Register or you know a furloughed member(s) who need work, please call your UTU State committee office at 651-222-7500.
We have many well qualified laborers, craftsmen and technicians among our ranks. Do hire and send our furloughed UTU members some work. If you have a project(s) to be completed, please call a UTU member today!
Name UTU Local Contact Number Trade or Service
Paul Keller UTU 1000 763-427-2702 Construction, sheet rock, lawn work.
Justin Hornung UTU 1000 651-793-6385 General construction labor.
Dan Martinez UTU 1000 651-353-8585 General construction labor, lawn work.
Jason Bultinck UTU 1000 651-592-3932 Class A License, general construction,
651-793-6385 general labor and equipment operator.
Billy Burnett UTU 1000 612-281-6583 Mechanical background, law work.
Jerry Wright UTU 1000 651-503-1262 Construction background, general labor.
Jeff Mueller UTU 1000 920-279-5419 General construction and labor.
Jayme Utt UTU 1000 218-590-8502 General labor, lawn work.
Jason Schramm UTU 1000 763-458-8179 General labor, laws work.
Jeremiah Jurek UTU 1000 763-533-3332 Residential H-vac, general construction
Sean Gallagher UTU 1000 651-315-4532 Electronics background, machine
operator, auto repair, security services.
Pat Dwyer UTU 1000 651-428-8798 General welding, general lawn, labor.
Chris Lestina UTU911 612-272-3168 Pool and hot tub service, roofing and
lawn laborer. General construction.
Matt Thorne UTU911 651-271-7905 Carpenter, laborer, construction.
Sean Kelly UTU 911 952-334-4768
Matt Smullen UTU911 651-491-9419 Carpenter, masonry, lawn work.
Shawn Sapikowski UTU 911 651-367-9470 Jack/skill of all trades.
Jon Jadwin UTU 911 651-895-7060
John Deloye UTU911 651-270-8117 Lawn and landscape.
Ross Bercier UTU911 651-336-6855 A little of everything
Jeff McInnis UTU 911 763-228-4606 Computer tech, wood work, automotive.
Jim Rambeck, UTU911 612-805-9313 Carpenter, decks, landscaping.
Guy Donnelly UTU 911 651-470-7604 Painting.
Jim Bourbonniere UTU 911 763-300-8131 Class A License, Carpenter, decks, sheds,
remodeling, cabinet making, computer tech
Rodney Joppru UTU 911 651-357-2381 Jack/skill of all trades, except computers.
Jason Hosch UTU 650 651-470-3428 General labor.
Greg Strand UTU 650 651-398-4123 Mechanic, tile work, lawn work.
Bill Pouloit UTU 650 507-272-8352 Brick layer, stone mason, laborer.
John Bonse UTU 650 651-755-3203 Carpenter, remodeling service.
Tim Applen UTU 650 612-724-6811 Warehouse, organizing, packing,
truck driving, property renovation.
Graham Benson UTU 650 952-688-1795 Advertising, copy writing, computer tech, computer design.
Doug Kuhl UTU 650 507-330-0526
UTU AFFILIATED FOOD BANK CONTACT INFORMATION:
1) Greater Lake Country Food Bank.
544 8th Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(UTU supported discount food store).
612-340-9694
2) Fare for All
8501 54th Avenue North
Roseville, MN 55428
(Emergency Food Shelf Network)
763-450-3880
NOTICE: Listings on the Brakemen's Register are strictly voluntary. All UTU members are expected comply with all United States Railroad Retirement Board requirements for complete and accurate claim reporting.
If you are a UTU member who wants to be listed on the Brakemen's Register or you know a furloughed member(s) who need work, please call your UTU State committee office at 651-222-7500. Thank you.
Posted in News on 05.22.2009 8:27am
New Section Added in Union Corner
From Rob Newhouse
I have added a section in the Union Corner - lower left... General Chairman (reports and correspondence). That's where I will put everything that I get from the Local Chaimen that they get from James Nelson.
Posted in News on 05.22.2009 6:46am
New Link Added
From Rob Newhouse
I added a link to a customizible website dedicated to your specific United Healthcare policy. It's pretty cool actually, you create an account and you can see all of your insurance info. It's very detailed.
Posted in News on 05.10.2009 11:26pm
New Link Added
From Rob Newhouse
I have posted a link to the application for UTU membership under the "Links of Interest" section of this site.
Print it and fill it out by hand.
Posted in News on 05.07.2009 8:35am
New Section for our Furloughed Brothers and Sisters
From Rob Newhouse
There is a new area in the Union Corner dedicated to our fellow employees who have been laid off.
Everything that I get that pertains to lay-offs is there.
Posted in News on 04.30.2009 10:11pm
Elvin link added
From Rob Newhouse
On the right hand side of this page you will find a link to order your brown bag items online. If you have never ordered online before you will have to set up a new account with them. It's pretty simple... they will need your address and a username and password.
Posted in News on 04.04.2009 10:53am
Vehicle inspection complaint
From Rob Newhouse
March 20, 2009
J J Stoffer
Manager Operations Yard
1000 Shop Road
Building 860
ST. Paul, MN 55106
RE: General Maintenance /Vehicle Inspection Requirements for Company provided Vehicles Glenwood Yard
Mr. Stoffer,
Reference is made to MOY-TCT Notice # 18 instructing employees who are required to use a company vehicle to conduct a safety inspection of the vehicle at the beginning of their tour of duty and again at the completion of their duties. This inspection will then be recorded on a vehicle inspection report and any defects will be brought to the attention of the Yard Manager at Glenwood.
The employee making an inspection or other employees driving the vehicle will sign the inspection form and be responsible for the condition of the vehicle.
The company considers employees conducting a vehicle safety inspection and filing a written vehicle safety report incidental service.
I want to make it clear this committee considers company vehicle inspections and filling out safety reports on said vehicle a violation of the collective bargaining agreement, Article 7 ( Crew Consist – Road and Yard ) or by definition Federal Railroad Administration 218.22 explaining the duties of a Yard Utility Person. Nothing in either description refers to employee’s being required to make company vehicle inspection or being trained or qualified to do this work as part of their duties and sign what this committee considers a legal document that says the vehicle has passed inspection.
This committee considers the document could be used against an employee in cases of accident or injury and will direct blame on the employee. The Carrier is solely responsible for maintaining the safety standards of their vehicles using trained certified technicians.
Consider this letter a formal protest in behalf of any Train Service/ Utility person instructed to perform maintenance inspection and reporting of Canadian Pacific Railway vehicles at Glenwood Yard.
March 20, 2009
J. J. Stoffer
Page 2
In addition, a basic day penalty claim will be submitted for violation Article 7 Crew Consist – Road and Yard and Article 101 Assigned Other Duties of the 2003 General Labor Agreement.
Respectfully,
R. J. Hill
Local Chairperson
UTU 911
CC : J H Nelson, Chairman
D. W. Bray, VLC 911
Posted in News on 03.28.2009 10:57pm
Ordering time again.
From Rob Newhouse
The Elvin website is http://cprail.elvin.com
Copy this url into your web browser to order your stuff online. If you've never done it online before... it's pretty painless. Just sign up with them. They will ask you for some info but after that it's alot like the form that we get.
Posted in News on 04.06.2008 10:41pm