longest

The world’s longest passenger train was over a mile long and passed through a stunning mountain range.

The record for the world’s longest passenger train was broken in 2022, when it reached over a mile in length and was made up of 100 carriages. The train made its way through the stunning Alps, which span countries such as Italy, Austria, Germany, France, and Switzerland. The Rhaetian Railway in Switzerland made history with its 1.2-mile-long train.

It headed on the Albula-Bernina route from Preda to Bergün. The train passed through the UNESCO World Heritage site and took over an hour.

The route passes through 22 tunnels, some of which spiral through the mountains, and 48 bridges, including the curved Landwasser Viaduct. Spectators lined the valley to watch the super-long train pass by.

CEO of Rhaetian Railway, Dr Renato Fasciati, said people from across the world flocked to watch the train. The 100-carriage train helped mark the 175th birthday of Swiss Railways.

Dr Fasciati said: “This world record attempt is a wonderful reason and a wonderful instrument for us to show the world this beautiful railway.”

During the pandemic, the company reportedly lost around 30% of its revenue. The world record attempt was done to raise awareness of the stunning train route.

The train was made up of 25 Capricorn railcars, 100 carriages, 3,000 tonnes of steel and technology. It was controlled by seven train drivers and 21 technicians across the mountain range.

Explaining how the 100-carriage train worked, Rhaetian Railway said: “The 25 trains all had to accelerate or decelerate at the same time, although only four trains each could be controlled from the same driver’s cab.

“An electric circuit ensured that all trains braked at the same time if the trains needed to slow down suddenly.

“Due to the heavy weight of the train (2,850 t without passengers), very high forces were exerted on the infrastructure and the carriages.

“A separate intercom system on the train, trained train drivers and clear instructions ensured the desired result. In addition, special software was loaded for the record-breaking train and the mechanical braking power was reduced.”

The train journey saw the railway set a Guinness World Record for the longest narrow-gauge passenger train.

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President Trump, speaking for well over an hour, shattered the record on Tuesday for the length of a State of the Union address.

Speaking for about 100 minutes, the nation’s leader touched upon a broad range of domestic and international topics, bragged about his accomplishments and awarded the nation’s highest honors to a pilot who participated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a 100-year-old Korean War veteran, and a 32-year-old goalie for the gold-medal-winning Olympic men’s hockey team.

The previous record-holder was President Clinton, famously known for his Southern-twang verbosity. He spoke for nearly 90 minutes during his final State of the Union address in 2000.

The address is prescribed by the Constitution and calls for the president to apprise Congress about the state of the union. Over time the address has become a vehicle for presidents to address the nation’s residents, claim legislative victories and foreshadow upcoming policy goals.

Just over a century ago, President Harding’s and President Coolidge’s addresses were aired on the radio. In 1947, President Truman’s address was the first to be broadcast on television. As viewership grew, the annual speech has taken on greater gravity, leading to notable and controversial moments in American politics.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) famously shouted “You lie!” during President Obama’s 2009 address to Congress when he spoke about healthcare policy. Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) created a viral moment when she tore apart a copy of Trump’s text after he delivered the State of the Union in 2020.

On Tuesday night, Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Louisiana, was escorted out of the chamber after he held a small sign that read: “BLACK PEOPLE AREN’T APES.”

This is the only UK destination that has perfectly preserved city walls – and you can follow them all the way around

Tourists have hailed this city as a hidden gem brimming with breathtaking scenery and vibrant heritage, whilst being steeped in Roman, Norman and English history. A brief train ride from Manchester, Liverpool and North Wales, this city ranks amongst Britain’s most picturesque cities.

Chester has claimed the top spot for UK city breaks in 2026, and it’s easy to see why. The historic walled city offers an impressive 71% of its attractions rated four stars or above on TripAdvisor, paired with hotel prices averaging just £80 per night.

At £66 for a meal for two and £2.38 for a pint, it delivers a genuinely affordable weekend away without skimping on things to see and do. Roman ruins, Tudor-era architecture, and excellent shopping along the famous Rows make Chester a destination that punches well above its weight.

Its city walls provide a beautiful 45-minute walk around the city. The fortifications are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, parts of which are almost 2,000 years old.

The walk gives enchanting views into the city and gives a fantastic insight into Chester’s long history.

Visitors can journey through centuries past whilst strolling the city’s meandering streets and Roman Walls – Britain’s most intact example. No stranger to accolades, Chester additionally features the nation’s largest outlet village on its periphery, with vendors operating from a delightful 700-year-old medieval gallery.

Chester Cathedral exceeds 1,000 years in age, showcasing remarkable period architecture and exceptional medieval mosaics. The award-winning Tower Tour can gives stunning panoramic Cathedral vistas from its view points.

The tour revolves around climbing the Cathedral’s tower, which looks out over five counties – you can even see Wales on a clear day.

Families looking for an entertaining day trip can explore Chester Zoo, home to 35,000 creatures distributed throughout 128 acres of rainforests, caverns and marshlands. The zoo lately unveiled sunrise-view safari lodges for visitors wanting a more long-term experience.

The city’s stunning meandering lanes also boast a thriving café culture, with numerous independent establishments on offer. Venues such as Bean & Cole and Jaunty Goat serve as popular destinations for speciality coffee, whilst The Hollies Farm Shop stocks delicious regional fare.

For those considering a summer trip, Chester’s prize-winning racecourse hosts meetings between May and October, providing an excellent choice for some spirited entertainment.

Chester also serves as the backdrop for renowned soap Hollyoaks, with unforgettable moments like the heartbreaking death of Lily McQueen captured at Chester railway station. Devotees of the programme can enjoy guided walking tours for photography opportunities.

The city originated in AD 79 as a Roman fortress, and prospered through commerce along the River Dee. Today, visitors can enjoy a more leisurely evening on a sightseeing cruise of Chester by boat, or participate in a themed evening voyage down the Dee.

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One train journey takes a staggering 167 hours to complete, with the railway spanning eight time zones to make it the longest in the world

The longest direct train journey in the world stretches a staggering 5,771 miles and takes almost a week to complete. Passengers on board the train undertake a mammoth journey through eight time zones.

The Trans-Siberian Railroad claims the title of the longest single rail system in the world. It connects east and west Russia, running from Moscow to Vladivostok.

To travel the length of the railway, it takes approximately 167 hours and requires no passenger changes. Heading east from Moscow, the train crosses the country to the Pacific Ocean.

There are even non-stop train options, so all passengers remain on board throughout the seven days. If you prefer to get off and explore the local surroundings, passengers can opt for the stopping service.

However, this takes between 14 and 20 days to complete. The Trans-Siberian railway runs through cities such as Moscow, Yaroslavl, Chelyabinsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok.

There’s also the Trans-Manchurian line, which runs through northern China to Beijing, and the Trans-Mongolian, which heads to Beijing but passes through Ulan Bator.

A famous train on the Trans-Siberian railway is Rossiya (the Russia), which has second-class sleepers, third-class open-plan sleeper bunks, and a restaurant car.

Passengers can pay for four tickets to ensure sole occupancy of a four-berth compartment, even if they’re the only ones travelling. The bunks convert to seats during the day, with toilets and washrooms at the ends of the corridors.

Many tourists who travelled the route chose not to start or end their journey in Russia. Tourists once began in London and made their way to Moscow before boarding the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

Once in Vladivostok, tourists could then head to Korea, Japan, or China without taking a plane. National Geographic also ran tours along the route, offering tourists the chance to travel on “one of the world’s most legendary railways.”

They described the journey: “Set out on an epic train journey across one-third of the world, travelling from Vladivostok, Russia to the heart of Moscow along the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway.

“From the Mongolian steppe to Lake Baikal’s remote shores to the snow-capped Ural Mountains, trace the history of tsars, exiles, and Mongols in the comfort of our luxury train, the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. Encounter remote cultures and the unique architecture of Siberia’s wooden cottages and Moscow’s onion domes.”

Tours like these have been halted, yet the train is reportedly still being used by Russians. The UK Government warn against all travel to Russia.

Official advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office says: “FCDO advises against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine, including security incidents, such as drone attacks, and Russian air defence activity, lack of flights to return to the UK and limited ability for the UK government to provide support.”

The flight covers 9,537 miles but doesn’t have economy cabin

The world’s longest flight connects America to Asia, with travellers spending nearly 19 hours in the air. Singapore Airlines currently holds the record for the lengthiest long-haul journey, operating between New York’s JFK Airport and Singapore Changi.

Covering a staggering 9,537 miles, the marathon trip takes 18 hours and 50 minutes and has been running since the airline launched it in 2018. Singapore Airlines deploys its latest Airbus A350-900ULR on the route, an aircraft capable of remaining airborne for more than 20 hours without refuelling.

The plane achieves these extraordinary flight times thanks to an enhanced fuel system, which increases the aircraft’s total fuel capacity to a remarkable 24,000 litres.

That said, the journey isn’t available to everyone, as Singapore Airlines has ditched economy class on this particular route. Instead, the airline offers 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats.

Premium Economy travellers can enjoy the benefits of extra legroom, a footrest, and an adjustable headrest. They also have access to noise-cancelling headphones and WiFi for the duration of their flight, reports the Express.

Those in Business class get maximum privacy, with their seats converting into fully flat beds for a proper kip whilst travelling.

The aircraft features a host of luxury amenities including higher ceilings, larger windows and bespoke lighting engineered to reduce jetlag. The carrier claims that the plane’s cutting-edge carbon composite airframe also allows for superior air quality.

Anyone hoping to secure a seat will need deep pockets, with tickets routinely costing well into five figures. Singapore Airlines’ Chief Executive, Mr Goh Choon Phong, has previously described the new route as the “fastest way” to journey between the two metropolitan hubs.

He said: “Singapore Airlines has always taken pride in pushing the boundaries to provide the best possible travel convenience for our customers, and we are pleased to be leading the way with these new non-stop flights using the latest technology, ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900ULR.

“The flights will offer our customers the fastest way to travel between the two cities – in great comfort, together with Singapore Airlines’ legendary service – and will help boost connectivity to and through the Singapore hub.”

Singapore Airlines’ aircraft is undoubtedly impressive, but the world’s largest plane remains the Antonov An-225 Mriya, which can transport “52 mature elephants”.

The Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link is expected to be the world’s longest immersed tunnel and rail link by 2029

The Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link, an underwater tunnel poised to link the Danish island of Lolland with Germany’s Fehmarn island, represents a remarkable feat of engineering. This remarkable tunnel beneath the Baltic Sea, set to become one of the planet’s longest submerged structures, is due for completion by 2029.

Spanning more than 18 kilometres (11 miles), the Fehmarnbelt tunnel will dramatically reduce journey times between Scandinavia and mainland Europe. Danish planning firm Femern has described the tunnel as “Denmark’s largest infrastructure project and the world’s longest immersed tunnel and rail link”.

The scheme carries a substantial estimated price tag of DKK 55.1billion (£6.4billion), with the European Union providing roughly 1.3billion euros (£1.1billion) in funding.

Femern has stressed that an immersed tunnel represents a “safe, tested and efficient way of building an underwater tunnel”, reports the Express.

“The technology is Danish-developed and builds on experiences from, among others, the Øresund Tunnel. Once completed, the tunnel will not pose any obstacle to vessel traffic in the Fehmarnbelt. Marine safety is also a top priority during the construction phase.”

“The Fehmarnbelt tunnel will be just as safe as a corresponding section of motorway above ground. The tunnel is equipped with continuous hard shoulders and emergency exits along its entire length.”

The Institution of Civil Engineers highlighted the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel’s unique positioning atop the seabed, dubbing it “a remarkable engineering feat”.

“Weighing in at 73,500 tonnes apiece, these colossal structures are a testament to modern engineering,” they explained.

“Once a tunnel element is ready to be shipped, waterproof bulkheads (barriers) are installed at both ends, and the segment is carefully towed into position by tugboats.”

“In total, 89 elements will be connected sequentially – much like assembling giant Lego pieces – to form the complete tunnel.”