Coastal Train by the Lighthouse

About this drawing

A train along the coast offers some of the most beautiful rides you can take without leaving your seat. Building these lines was no easy job, though. Cliffs forced crews to blast tunnels through rock, raise retaining walls and bridge river mouths.

The United States has famous examples. In California, passenger trains run for miles right beside the Pacific, with waves breaking just below the tracks, and in New England some lines skirt rocky shores and old fishing towns.

The ocean makes upkeep tricky. Salty air speeds up rust on rails, wires and metal structures, so crews inspect and repaint them often. Storms can throw waves and rocks onto the track, and some stretches are guarded by walls of boulders called riprap.

The reward is incredible scenery, plus a way to reach towns that would otherwise be hard to get to. Some scenic trains run along these coasts at a gentle pace just so riders can enjoy the views, the lighthouses and the harbors. Riding one, you might spot seals, pelicans or even whales offshore, depending on the season. Along some stretches, the train runs so close to the water that spray can reach the windows on stormy days.

• train
• coast
• lighthouse
• ocean
• scenery