6 unusual train journeys around the world.

Photo: Wuppertal

Below are some of the world’s most unusual train journeys, compiled by the 130-year-old British newspaper Daily Mail as a suggestion for travelers seeking unique experiences on their upcoming trips.

The selection criteria were based on the train’s popularity and its operating methods, which differed from those of regular trains.

The Wuppertal Schwebebahn cable car, Germany

The 13-kilometer-long railway line, with 20 stations, operates in the city of Wuppertal, Germany. Instead of sitting on the tracks, the train cars are suspended beneath the elevated railway. The system serves approximately 80,000 passengers daily.

Photo: Techmandu

Japanese DMV “transforming” ships

The DMV can convert from a bus to a train in about 15 seconds thanks to a system of steel wheels that lower onto the tracks, and began operating in 2021. The vehicle is approximately 8 meters long, carries about 21 people, and reaches a speed of 60 km/h when running on railway tracks.

Photo: Japan for Kids

Pokémon With You train, Japan

The train is decorated with Pikachu images, features a children’s play area, and includes giant Pikachu figures inside. The route passes through an area affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, aiming to provide a fun experience for families.

Photo: New Weeks

Chongqing Monorail, China

The system, which opened in 2005, has the capacity to transport 30,000 passengers per hour. A unique feature is that the train runs through a 19-story building at Liziba station, where the 6th and 7th floors house the station. Today, the image of the train passing through this skyscraper has become one of the city’s most famous and popular tourist attractions.

Photo: Trans photo

Optic Valley Photon Air Rail suspended train, China

Operating in Wuhan since 2023, this is China’s first commercial suspended monorail. The train cars are suspended below the tracks, featuring glass floors allowing passengers to observe the scenery below. The trains operate autonomously, with each train capable of carrying up to 200 people.

Photo: Travel scan now.

Devil’s Nose ship, Ecuador

The famous train line features tracks that wind along steep mountain slopes and sharp turns near deep ravines, earning it the nickname “an experience not for the faint of heart.” The round-trip journey takes approximately 2.5 hours, taking passengers up the mountain along a zigzag track.