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Sacagawea was the interpreter for Lewis and Clark; Hal Stearns fills that role on the American Spirit. Stearns is a master yarn spinner who has spent much of his life collecting Lewis and Clark lore and artifacts. A devout believer in his subject--"Along with man going to the moon in 1969, this is one of the two greatest explorations in American history," he says--he plans to use his knowledge to convert all aboard www.americanspiritrail.com 888-533-7245). --By Megan Rutherford
MEXICO'S COPPER CANYON FROM THE DESERT UP TO THE RIM OF A CANYON
Refurbished World War II-era Pullman cars twist and turn from the sea-level Sonoran Desert to 8,000 ft. along the rim of Copper Canyon, crossing 39 bridges and plunging through 86 tunnels. Those who know this route from Los Mochis to Chihuahua, Mexico, rate it as one of the last great American wilderness areas south of the Arctic Circle. With stops at Divisadero and Creel, the Sierra Madre Express allows you to visit the Tarahumara Indians, distant relatives of the Aztecs and one of Mexico's last truly primitive people.
A fleet of five railcars make up the Sierra Madre Express. From the train's dome car, called the Tucson, and the Divisadero car, an open observation deck, you can gaze upon rivers with rushing waterfalls as well as lush bird life and wildflowers. For the eight-day, seven-night excursion, prices begin at $2,545, and you sleep two nights aboard plush, vintage cars with names like the Arizona and the Chile Verde. On remaining nights, you stay in Tucson, Ariz., and Divisadero and Cerocahui in Mexico.
For less money, you can opt for the Mexican American Railway Co.'s $1,599 South Orient Express, a five-day, four-night "cruise on rails," as M.A.R.C. vice president Bill Brailey calls it. The South Orient Express includes five-course international lunches prepared by a master chef, but does not provide sleeping accommodations. A cheaper and unescorted version, Copper Canyon Limited, costs $1,100 for eight days and seven nights and allows you to customize your itinerary www.sierramadreexpress.com 800-666-0346; www.southorientexpress.com 800-659-7602). --By Janet Kang. With reporting by Ronald Buchanan
BC RAIL'S ROYAL HUDSON A HANDSOME STEAM ENGINE FROM CANADA'S PAST