Rail travel is in our blood
I grew up with my grandfather Karl telling me stories of all the places he had been working for the railway as a young man throughout the West. From the bulls and tramps, to the yards, to the engineering marvels that linked our nation, he wove a tale that engrained itself into my young mind. Growing up my family often sent me during the summers to live and work with family around the country. From fishing villages north of the Yukon, and hog farming in the Midwest, to running gold and silver claims on the high desert of Nevada and Idaho, I was able to see so much that was off the beaten path.
And almost always I travelled by train to these destinations, all on my own. I’ve traversed many Amtrack itineraries in the US as a youngster, and countless European routes as a college student and rugby player. Eventually I was blessed to find employment working for the iconic Rocky Mountaineer line in Canada, for a number of years working in sales and route development. This was a dream come true for me, focusing on one of my most favorite areas of the world. I was able to travel the same tracks that my father-in-law and uncle worked on for the Canadian Pacific engineering departments and continued the family tradition into the third generation.
A common theme comes to mind when I think of my favorite experiences onboard, which are the unique people and perspectives that you’ll find, that shape your life. It’s also that train travel takes you where it’s difficult for anyone else to go, with most journeys travelling to areas where car travel is rare, and foot traffic even more dear. On any journey you’re guaranteed a one-of-a-kind perspective.
I’ve continued through the years to seek out the most unique and rare rail journeys available out there, and that endeavor is ongoing. Those that will change your life, or your viewpoint, and make you a rail enthusiast for life.
You’ll find many of those experiences here. If you board one of our trains you can be assured that you are seeing the country from a unique perspective, one less travelled, that has been fully vetted by myself as one of the best in the world.
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a bit more about our family, our vision, and that one day you will Join us onboard Elite Rail Journeys.
Aaron Kuehn
Aaron Kuehn
Founder, Elite Rail Journeys