Ride the Rails, a new podcast has launched this month.

Hosted by AndyB a self-confessed rail travel geek from AndyBTravels (www.andybtravels.com), the brains behind DiscoverbyRail (www.discoverbyrail.com), the innovative travel architect service. Podcast series 1 includes 6 weekly episodes.

AndyB founder of the award-winning tour operation Railbookers until he exited the business in 2015, has a life-long love affair with rail travel. He has been travelling the world by train since the early 1980’s, as he describes it since he ‘was a nipper’. Pre-Covid lockdowns AndyB had spent 6 years exploring by rail full time. Having visited more than 170 countries the rail expert has clocked up more miles in rail travel than most people have had hot dinners. As well as travelling on the regular trains, AndyB has been on most of the world’s luxury private trains and highlights includes journeys on the longest and highest railroads.

His current mission is to travel all the rail lines of Europe, an epic adventure that has been interrupted by the global pandemic.

Suffering withdrawal from his nomadic lifestyle, AndyB, who is growing an army of rail-loving followers on his social media accounts has launched the podcast to share his passion for rail travel, advice and introduce listeners to other rail aficionados.

In Ride The Rails Series 1, AndyB will be chatting with Mark Smith, better known as the The Man in Seat61. Mark has been a close industry contact for more than 15 years and fellow travelling companion, with the duo discovering destinations by rail throughout Europe, Asia and North America. The pair will focus on a different topic each week with the spotlight on getting in and out of the UK and travelling around it in series 1.

Podcasts available from 12 noon on the date of publication.

Available on Spotify, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts.

Episode 1: Eurostar – 10th March (available to listen to)
Episode 2: Rail/Sail – 18th March
Episode 3: Sleeper Trains – 25th March
Episode 4: Scenic Rides – 1st April
Episode 5: Fares, Rovers & Passes – 8th April
Episode 6: Railway Stations & Hotels – 18th April
Of the first episode listeners have said:

“This podcast is pure therapy for anyone who has been deprived of travel these past months. A great focus on Eurostar. It is very calming, very gentle, but laced with brilliant insights from two of my favourite travel geeks (sorry…. ‘travel professionals’). I really enjoyed it.” Nicky Gardner (co-author of Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide).

“Ride the Rails with AndyB is a must-listen podcast for anyone even remotely interested in train travel. Andy’s passion about trains and travels, from mainline services such as the Eurostar and TGV to obscure branch lines in Eastern Europe, certainly does want to make you hop on the first available departure from your local station!” Koen from Bucharest (paliparan.com)

“Andy’s conversation with Mark Smith gives a very good insight into travel onboard Eurostar services. I can’t wait for them to come back. And I can’t wait to hear the next podcast.” Ulrich Teitz – former German Railways Account Manager and German Rail Expert

“The future is looking increasingly bright for train travel across Europe. Andy’s podcast brings together the best guests and is a great starting point to find out more about how the train is a compelling first choice above the airlines”. Paul Lucas owner of Wingin ‘It Channel on Youtube

Future series will include episodes dedicated to rail travel in specific countries throughout Europe and further afield. Discussing the logistics and love of rail travel, history, culture, journeys and people, AndyB will be inviting rail experts from around the world to join him.

With an expected high demand for rail-based holidays when the world emerges from the global pandemic, AndyB says “This is an opportunity for us to rekindle people’s desire and remind them of some of the benefits of travelling by train and how pleasurable it is”.

Mark Smith added “AndyB shares my passion for rail travel and I’ve enjoyed many adventures by train with him, so it is a real pleasure to be chatting with him throughout this series. We hope our weekly catch up will entertain, inform and inspire people to get back on track as soon as possible”.